The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-09-28

y merchant of this city who recently re-
turned from tour of South America, u as
given reporter of the Globe Democrat an
account of rema Ika hle old man lie saw
in the CITY OF Tulca, Chilli. whose name is
Felix Ruids. aud who has undoubtedly
reached the aye of 1856 years. Rcias vas
born in 1140. aud at an early age cn,ercd
the army, holding the position of Sel ge mt
Major in Spanish line regiment. When
Carlos the Third issued the historic man
date eNpelling the Jesuits. Ruias took in
charge two members of The Order and ar
ricd them from Liuares 10 Santiago He
served forty-eight years in the Chilian ar
mics, and is thoroughly conversant with
the minutest details of Chilian history for
the last century and a half. Up to one
year.agO Roias was remarkably vigorous
Tor one of his venerable age, though for ten
years he has been carried about ia a poitt-
ble chair, i'll charge of two scrvan 5. For
a year he has been failing apidly. aud now
seldom leaves his house. his physicians
prescribing almost absolute quiet as the
only means of prolonging life. Occasion
ally lie mag be seen in his chair ia front of
his residence, aud passers-by pay him the
greatest respect, lie smokes pipe, and
has used tobacco steadily for 100 years
Ills eyes are quite weak now, but Er has
never used spectacles, aud is generally able
To- read large print. lie is not large uaa
being scarcely five feet in height. aud nev-
er weighed over $50. lie is remarkably
well proportioned, his head being unusual
ly large and finely shaped. Singular to
relate, Rojas has lived to this ripe old ace
in defiance OF MANY viciSSitudes and habits
that are universally believed To abbrevaic
a mans term of life. From the age of
twenty till lie was seventy he was an habit
ual diinker, and for a long parl.of tlaU
time such confirmed tippler that his'heal a
7 el
! that he could not survive long. For fort A.
| six years he has not tasted Intoxicating
| drinks, except a medicine. In 1850 hs
/ fought a bloodleSS duel with A brother sol
/ dieT, and ten years later in a similar en-
| counter with another antagonist, he was So
| desperately wounded that it was two wears
before lie fully recovered. A one time he
! suffered double iIactuIe of his right i,g
10y caiSson wagon running ovei it, lie
was also wounded twice while fighting in
/ battle. He has had the yellow fever aud
has been repeatedly pGustTa ed by the oi her
malariai feveIs that prevail il all par.s of
South America.
1t seems 50 remarkable that one should
] be preserved Ia such an cXtraord mary ACE
/ aiier passing through SO many adventures
and accidents 10y field and flood Roi,s -
( the son OF a Spanish no5leman who fled A. is
( country for a political ofense. and settled
! III Chill under an assumed name The son
living almost half century before Ire
! found ont the true history of his father,
/ and upon the discovery he made \ trim IN
Spain, and succeeded in obi blaming from ,be
Government the title and possession IF
/ valuable property which had been coutis
Gated. This is The only voyage Rnias has
/ ever made away from his native county.
The venerable old man has ample meai,s
ana Is surrounded 10y numerous line of
/ oepehuants, consisting of chIldi EN- grand
chIldieh great grand children great-pIeat
/ aud great Creat-grpat claud-cI,IIdr.u : :,
/ Louis Globe Democrdt