Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-29
FOR SIXTY YEARS A PRIEST.
A Talk with thn Oldest Dominican
Monk la Iae United States,

a Ihlk with thn oldest DOminfcnn
Monk iD Iae United states.
New York world.l
In the Dominican monastery in
Sixty-sixth street, near Lexington
avenue, is sojourning for the pres
ent the oldest member of the order
on this continent, the Rev. Nicho-
las Dominic Young, who was born
on the 18th Of June, 1898, near
the mouth Of the Piscataway river,
Prince George county, Nd.
The World reporter found him
sitting at a window overlooking
the flower garden in front OF the
monastery reading a paper and
smoking cigar, seemingly as hale
and hearty as one half his age. He
is somewhat bent, however, and
complains Of slight pains in his
bones. He is short of stature and
not lacking in flesh. His complex
ion is forid and healthy. His hai1
is scant and snowy white, and his
eyes are gray, though somewhat
dim.
"Ah," said he, rising and offer
ing his hand, 81 am glad to see
you. Spring and winter shaking
hands," he added, with lusty
laugh. "Sit down, my boy, sit
down, and let's hear what you've
got to say"
:" Why, what do folks care.for an
old weather-beaten priests story2'
he asked, when the reporters errand
was explained. You want tC
know about my ancestors? My
great grandfather, an Englishman.
was a judge, and was sent out here
in that capacity. He became con,
vert to Catholicism, and, of course,
had to give up his job, as the saying
is. England didn't allow Catholics
to hold Office in those days. HC
bought a tract of land which is
now covered by a great part OF
Washington City,, Well, he died
as in all likelihood | shall in the
next thirty years, and the farm
which had the finest mansion in
that part of the country on it, went
TO my grand.dad, Motley Young.
He was born on it. When Genera
Washington came to lay out The
city Of Washington, my grand-dac
gave up his farm, and the whole O
South Washington is part of it
The General stopped with the old
gentleman during that time, and
provided that Motley Youug's man
sion should not be torn down til
after his death and there it stood
right in the middle of the street
until he died. My father, Nicholas
Young, married one of the Fen
wicks, who were Of the Lord Balt
more colony that came over aRc
founded Maryland. Through hel
he inherited the farm in Prince
George county, where | was born
1t was right across from Mount
Vernon, where Washington lived
Many time my father took us out
of a morning in the garden to lo0E
through a spy-glass at the genera
pacing up and down on the verand,
in front Of his hsuse. He had /
habit of walking this way every
morning, with his hands behind hi
back. One day. when | was abou
eight years old, there was to be .
militia parade not far from oul
house, and General Washington
was to be there to review the mill
tia. ], with "a lot Of other younl
shayers, went to the show-to &c
some gingerbread more than any
thing else. However, the genera
was there. He rode a big whit,
horse, but what took us boys mos
was his big cooked hat l remem
Der everybody was pointing out tn
general to everybody else. He wa
e a great broad-shouldered man, ant
: I'd know him now perfectly if
were to see him in the garden ou
there, he made such an impression
on my mind. | thought he wa
r the greatest man that ever lived
, didn't know why or wherefore, onl
that he whipped the British.
suppose there are very few nova
days can say what | saw"