Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-30
THE OLDEST PRINTER,
RccoiicCtinnS of II Wan Who has
Been Eifty.Sevcn Years
ut the Case.
From the New York World !

''tlItr->even years at the case said
the foreman OF the World composing
room to the reporter last Week. rs he
pointed out an old gray bearded man
picking type in the corner OF the room.
The Old man stood where the sunlight
tell full upon him. and he was chewing
tobacco under his green shade and click
ing type in his stick unconcernedly.
lie never stops chewing. He comes
down here at six in tho morning and
works till ak in the evening. He never
eats a mouih!ul nor takes n drop to
drink F.; he lives on tobacco"
Uncle Bob" said the reporter. as he
approached the old type setter and
touched him on the shoulder, chow
old are YOU?
The old gentleman looked up kindly
into the reporters eyes and answered,
IL was serentytiye day bciJro yester-
dav.'
His name is Robert Tappan, but
everybody calls him Uncle Bob. II was
born in Kingston. Ulster county, in 1908.
| entered the office of my uncle-the
Ulster P!ebeian IN 1921. I worked on
the same press that Jesse Buel! used.
came 10 New York in 1924, on the
James Kent. and we took Lafayette on
board at West Point and brought HIM to
New York with US. When I came to
New York went into Major Noah's Of
flee. the Inquirer. then on the Courier
and Enquirer. where | worked steadily
tor twcnty-)ne years. Mr.. Webb pre-
sented me with n magnificent Bible, and
I've kept it twentyiour years"
On the day following the above.
''tncie Bob came down to the Office
with the Bible in 4 basket. Here" he
said, Is he opened the book and pointed
to the dy-leai. read this"
Presented to Robert Tappan on
Nmas, 1854, as very slight testimony
OF respect and regard Tor his character
and appreciation CT his valuable and
faithful services in the office on the
Courier and Enquirer from 1928 to the
present time, by his friend.
J. WATSON WEBB.
December 25. 1854"
The old man then whipped out hi1
genealogical record written with blua
Ink on narrow slip of paper. 1t went
so far back that 1t was perplexing to
dive for. He skipped a few generations
as he pointed about an inch from the top
"t the slip. and said i've got pair
OF sleeve-butlons belonging 70 Chrsto-
pher Fier>ted, who was the father of my
grandfather Luke. Luke was surgeon
in The revolution with Washington at
Newburg."
Aud then. as he travelled by Pan
Handle route over the blue ink. he
said. "A grand-nephew OF Governor
George Clinton married grandfather
Sster. l WAS married on the 18th OF
December. 1881. to Maria G. Lowe, OF
Fiatbu>h, whose grandfather was Colonel
Bauman. of the artillery regiment that
placed the flagstaff on the battery on the
day the British evacuated New York.
Hewas afterwards appointed first post
master of New York;
Uncle Bob lives in Brooklyn with
one OF his married sons. He is fond of
life and enjoyment, and on Hallow-eve
played "blind mans buff and Button,
button," as lively as any of the family.
He has been at work on the World ever
since he lett the Courier and Enquirer,
which is now nearly fifteen years.
"You have read many handwritings
in your time. haven't you. Uncle Bob9'
''Yes. indeed; but old Benefits was
the worst l ever tackled" he answered.
And once more the click OF tho typ0
sounded In the corner.