The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-10
ENDING A LONG LIFE.

CAPTAIN LAHRDUscH's ONE HUNDRED AND ELEv-
DRAWING TO CLOSE.
Yesterday was the 11lth birthday of the well known
Captain Lahrbusch, the Oldest Of New York, If
OF this country In former yenrs the birthday of
this remarkable centcnarian celebrated by les
tive dinner, partly given in his honor by General John
Watts do Pcyster, and which was usually attended by
large number OF distinguished people. A few years
ago. however, an exceedingly violent attack was made
upon the gcnuncncss, so 10 speak, OF Captain Lair
buschs wonderful age and since then this genial Gus
tom has fallen into dcsuetude. 1t remains aston
shing that this OF III years looked scarcely
over seventy. His thin frame was bent. to bosure,
but than that Of men of sixty-Gvo or
seventy, while his skin aud complexion retained q
freshness which, together with tho extraordinary alb
scnce OF ,hosc tetalo indications Of old ago, crows
feet seemed utterly incompatible with such marvel
ous old age This comparative youthiulness OF Cap
tain Lahrbusch's appearance OF course renders his
case ali remark ibe. II he has deceived tho
world 1t has Of the clcverest mpositions OF
the age. Tho prominent OF New York
Thurlow Weed, A. T. Stewart and many Others-have
delighted to do him honor, and II Is even stated that
Captain Labrbusch has received for long time pen
sion from wealthy citizen deeply Interested in his
extraordinary history. While living on the second
floor OF plain brick house on Third avenue, just
above Thirty ourth street, he would often breakfast
the residences Of the wealthy on Filth avenue, who
would be anxious to hear HIM recount his remns-
cences OF generation slumbcring their graves Tor
the last hty years But IS due to Captain Labrbusch
TO say weight OF evidence is IN hls favor and
that nearly all the prominent men who have investI-
gated his case aud made lhqures at the British War
ONCE proclaim their belief in his claim to DO con-
sldered ono OF tho very Oldest men Of the world.
END AT LAST NEAR AT HAND.
Captain Lahrbuschs birthday yesterday not
celebrated even IN the retirement OF his home because
OF his illness IT Is sad to contemplate that
this eventlul lie Is at last drawing to u Close On
Thursday he called NJ r. McGrath, an old friend
kcops a turuiture shop in the same house. and told
him IN mourniul and ieobe accents that no believed
this was his last iluess anu that he knew he never
could recover. He was stretched upon lounge and
looked worn and pailid His voice had wofuly failed
his skin shrvclled. ana the change that had
over him indeed sad to look at He complained
that his appetite entirely gone that he suffered
much pam, ana seemed to be utterly PROSTATE. He
greatly depressed mentally, and in spite Of his III
years the old man seemed 10th TO depart from n
world the sweets OF winch he mad enjoyed
far beyond tho period allotted to most men.
Mr.. Mctrath stated that he had contracted the
present serious illness ONE tive weeks ago. when he
went raw and bitter morning TO Call upon Mrs.
A. T. stewart. bio was urged not 10 go, but replied
that he had not Mrs. Stewart, who old
friend Of hs, SINCE the death OF her husband, ana
would not DO dssuadcd. immediately upon hs return
from that fatal visit he stricken down, and the
neighbors who nave him all declare that the end
cannot long deferred HIS HE is last ebbing away
they saw and they all kindly regret the ioolhard ness
THINGS AKE HARD TO REALIZE
II Is task even Tor who has r. ad sketch
OF Captain Lanrbuschs lie, and who Is familiar with
the datc OF his birth March ., 1766-to realize tho
matter OF fact significance OF his wonarous age Is
not diilicuit to realize that this born three
years before Napoleon l., who has been dead these
iiity.s years that at his birth Louis XIV ruled in
long suffering France, that Nara Theresa
and Frederick tho Great swaycd, the sceptres
OF Austria and Prussia, that William Pitt
was only u boy OF seven, aud that Nine. dc Stacl
born IN the same Year, We may think of these things
Nv an effort OF memory, but who call that time
windy before mind and associate II with the life
OF one who until few weeks ago. took his meals
regularly and might be seen riding down town in
Third avenue Car any fine day hale and hearty old
man The dim ana laded historical past seems to
spring into ie and flesh in The presence OF this living
remnant OF an epoch long, long gone by. IL seems
almost impossible to believe that this u
friend OF Butcher, knew Marshal Ney Eugene, Victor
and Lcevre; that he fought under SIR Arthur Weiles
ley in the Pcninsular war; and Kept guard at Napo
ago His strange history would fill thrilling
chapier OF romance. Entering the British army
carly age, nghting against Napoeon's heroes during
the memorable years OF the eighteenth and nine
tccnth centuries retiring nnay al htytwo from ac-
tive service, and marrying tho vile OF his BOSOM then
suffering shipwrcck ana losing both wife and fortune
the latter the savings OF whole lifo-and finally living
to be rcvered for his venerable past by the Of
generation who look upon him rs some wondrous
monumental relic OF antquitysurcly this Is no ordl-
nary career. and 1t becomes even more astonishing
when the pcrllous through which he passed
harmed are remembered. IL almost seems though
he bore a charmed life and though special Prov-
dence had watched HIM In order to preserve him
IN n. Quo of The vreatest Ccntenariaus the