The New York herald., 1879-11-15
THURLOW WEEDS BIRTHDAY.

THE VETERAN JOURNALIST COMPLETES HIS
EIGETY-sECoND YEAR-A CHAT ABOUT OLD
NEW YoR9-REcALLING THE SCENES AND
FRIENDS A LIFETIME
Mr.. Thurlow Weed is eighty-two years of age to-
day, and when the reporter OF the HERALD called
him last evening to congratulate him on the happy
close Of another year Of his long and eventful life
the veteran journalist looked to be in most excellent
health and spirits. He sitting in his study in
his residence No. II West Twelfth street. in large
easy chair and when the reporter ushercd in
debating letter to member of his family who
sat at his desk and wrote In thearge open fireplace
there blazed fire of soft coal. and the lights and
shadows chased each other the calm face of the
old man and found rejecting fash in the eyes that
were not dimmed by eighty-two years Of life. Boz
side him. resting under u window which opened on
Fifth avenue. . cage. in which played two little
Brazilian monkeys that seemed to be great pets
with Mr.. Weed, and who sat . perch aud
regarded his every motion with watchful interest.
eyes, said Mr.. Weed. -if spared until to-
morrow 1 will be eighty-two years of age and
must say am very thankful indeed to have been
spared SO long,.
1.-The anniversary Of your birth. Mr.. Weed. must
bring up world OF recollections to you. said the
writer.
"Yes." answered Mr.. Weed. 'the approach of such
anniversary naturally occupies my thoughts. It
is always interesting. and suppose the interest in
creases ~ the years pass away. feel deep sense
Of gratitude for the goodness and mercy that have
protected SO long in life and deep gratitude for
SO many blessing and mercies. l have been very
fortunate man. very fortunate all through ife and
have had very successful lfa' Here Mr.. Weed
paused, and, leaning his head his hand for mo-
ment or two appeared to be rapt in thought. Then
he resumed:-.i was born of humble parents. they
poor and worked hard. and /. being the eldest
child felt at carly age that ought to release my
t1,Apf frlUt hlY nj
strongly impressed with this idea. and in my ninth
year determined to be self supporting. went to
Catskin when nine years old and found employment
in blacksmith shop. blowing stripings as it was
called in those days. was paid shilling day and
found employ yment with tavern keeper u boy
OF work and used up the winter in that way. In
my first voyage to New York from Catskill. This
was IN LSO7-a good while ago.. continued Mr. Weeds
softly. while he passed his hand over his brow.
EARLY AMBITION
eat this time my greatest ambition to become
al office. and when got back to Catskill saw =
chance become apprentice in the office OF the
Recorder published there by Mr. Crosswell- Just as
county and was in great despair ut the thought OF
having to give up my cherished ambition. ambition, We
moved to Onandsga Hollow and l obtained cm-
ployment with the postmaster. who wanted .
boy to DO general Il. ,oous ssrss ns nis
garden My only pay was to be some schooling.
and for six months went to school there BY the
way that was about all the schooling ever had. To
my great Joy . printing Office moved there in 1911.
and went immediately and asked tho proprietor. .
Mr. Fay. to take me as an apprentice. He said
too green looking and turned me of Then Mr..
Hopper. the Postmaster won't to him and interceded
Tor me ne toEf @ e ns then y haa %
trouble and left suddenly. Some friends came to
and said that on account OF some legal advertise
ments they wanted the paper continuod-if only
half sheet-for five or six weeks Accordingly
printed it. 1t called the Lynx. Il was worked
on Ramage press, the same Franklin worked on.
elm 1872 L went into the army as volunteer.
being too young to be q regular. 1 served three
campaigns in that war, and worked at Utica. Herk-
and other places at my trade during tho inter-
walls. . -
when 1t went up the river with Fulton. 1t was =
most frightful sight There was fire. smoke and
rishtiu ioat,ma siSh was passenger in the
first railroad car ever drawn by locomotive engine
from Albany to Schenectady, So many events have
been crowded into the years have livod.
RECoLLEcrIoNs.
''Among the sad things in old mans experience
of tho sadest is ind the circle OF friends and
ncquantances growing smaller and smaller. went
to funeral day before yesterday up here at Four
teenth street aud Mrs. Tilotson laid away
few years ago dining with her and her hus-
band; they gone. MIR. Spofford. his part
ner-both well known old time merchants-is gone.
too Mr.. and Mrs. Il. NJ. Blatchford. intimate
friends OF mine living right opposite me. are gone.
sturgis who used to live right opposite. is gone.
Mr. Robert b. Minturn. one OF tho truest
My s noSs door rA nesseor. Mr. James soas. Sss.
and Andrew Carrgan and George II. Aspinwall-
all. all gone and all intimate friends OF the past.
grow lower and lower. and his voice full OF sad
ness He continued. almost in awhisper-"It is very
painful to many gono from just around my
own neighborhood.
"In 1916 worked in seymour's printing oficc at
No. 40 John street. My prcssmate was Jim Harper,
tho oldest OF the Harpers We used to 20 to the theatre
those days good deal. The only one Of any
note tho Park on Park row. between Ann and
Beekman streets. They had splendid company
there. and attracted the best talent of the world.
there Cook. lnkloton the elder Kcan. Mr.. and
Mrs. Barnes. Placide. May wood and q grcat many
other celebrated actors and Actresses. The prices
be 81 in the boxes fty cents In the pie and
twenty Ave cents in tho gallery"
"Wil you celebrate to- o-incrrow. Mr.. Wced?'
mo. have always heretofore done so; but am
subject to vertigo much that cannot stand any
excitement aud have remain quiet. And another
reason IL that 30 many OF my friends gone that