The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-26

Mr.. GEO. EDWARDS, Of Moundsvillc, in
formed us yesterday that his father, the
venerable Michael Edwards, Sr., who is
now in his 1O9th year, shows signs OF fail
ing health lately, SO much so that he fears
the old pilgrim is nearing the last mile
stone in his long journey. When at
MoundsvillO a few days ago we had the
pleasure OF short Interview with the old
gentleman, but as he was not in his usual
health that day he was not much inclined
to talk. We felt however that it was
something to look upon man whose birth
dated back TO the 18th OF AuguFt 1867, and
to hear him tell OF seeing General
Washington in the streets Of his
native town ere yet the Father OF
his Country had reached the zenith Of his
great fame. Mr.. Edwards thinks he re.
members when the news Of the Declara.
tion Of Independence was brought to
York, but it is possible that he confounds
this event with the news OF the conclusion
Of peace in 1888. He remembers hearing
Washington make short speech in York,
alter the war, in which, among other
things, lie said that there was likely 10 be,
some time in the future, war, caused by
Office seekers, that would be worsc than
the Revolution. He cast his first
vote for Washington for President, and
voted for him both times, and aiter him
for John Adams. He left York in 1901
and came out to Washington, Pa, where
he was married in 1905 to Miss Eleanor
Cady, lady 10 years his junior, They
lived together So years, she dying in
1853. Their family consisted Of four boys,
allstill living, the Oldest OF whom is now
in his 10Th year.
Mr.. Edwards lived at Washington un-
til the year 1885,, at which time he re-
moved to MouEdsville, where he has
since resided. He worked at his trade
(gunsmithing) ustil he was between so
and 90 years Of age. When he was in his
9Sd year he walked from Wheeling to
MouLdsyille in about two hours and
hall, a feat that many young men could
not rival. He has seldom been severely
sick in his life, although he has never
taken extra care Of his health; has both
chewed and smoked tobacco, and taken
an occasional glass Of liquor, although
not addicted to drink. His general habit
has been to rise and retire at an early
hour, and during the most Of his life has
seldom slept after four in the morning.
he comes Of long lived ancestry, as do
most persons who attain great age, his
mother having lived to be upwards Of 1903 |
years old. He remembers all the old
settlers about Wheeling, such as Noah
Zane, Mrs. Cruger, Moses Shepherd, &c.
He remembers Mrs. Cruger as a dashing
sort Of person, by reputation, in her hey
day, but had very little to say about her
in the way Of personal knowledge.
In tho ia!i oil 1871 in his iO4th year.
Mt. Edwards revisited tue scenes oi MS
childhood at York; Pa, and while there
received quite an ovation from the cltl-
'ens' Among other tokens oi respect he
was presented with gold headed cane
Oy the members oil the Laurel Fire Com
pany' Of which company he was the old
est surviving member. The company
mad HIM charged on their books with a
tlne OF II pence "for non'attendanee on
the evening of SOth March, 1892" and
Wh',e there the SECRETARY, as ag0od Joke,
.sIIesea MN a Dill, whica, principal
N"I INTEREST," amounted 70 ~ Oh
A'iOnga as the old gentleman could go
ABOUT and take active exercise he seemed
70 ENJOY lille and not to be weighed down
WIN The intlrmities otagc, ,butsince his late
ilIue" , set in he Is inclined to be despon-
uen' and disposed to look upon his life
as burden. "ltI could only could do as