Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-06-16
A RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION.
Captain Isaac Denike, BROTHER
in.Law of Major Paulding,
atthe Point Of Death.
One Hundred and One Years Old
"Reminiscences of Stir
ring Times.
New York Hernld. In.l

Paulding, of revolutionary fame,
whose life is slowly ebbing away. Capt.
Denike is a centenarian. He was
born in Putnam county, New York,
October l, 1879. and is consequently
we'll on in his 101st year.
When an infant his father
moved to Peekskill, Westchester
county, where Major Paulding married
one OF young Denike's sisters some
years later. Seventy-two years ago
the subject of this sketch was mar
ried to Miss Hester Depew, aunt of
Chauncey NJ. Depew, of Peekskill, by
whom he had one son, Jacob, who
died in 1913. Mrs. Denike died thir-
ty-fve years ago, and about a year
later the captain married Miss Mary
Wood,of Peekskill, who is now watch
ing tenderly over his bedside. She is
a pleasant matron, fifty four years old
and has five children. Around the
bedside are also Mrs. Mary Hallock.
of Jersey City, daughter of Major
Paulding, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jewell,
granddaughter of the major, a daugh-
ter of Pierre Paulding. Captain
Denike navigated the Hudson river
between Peekskill and New York, for
over a quarter Of a century, being
master of the freight sloop Hanoran,
we'll known half century ago. Imme.
diately after his marriaget to his present
wife he gave up the river business
and started a store at Tarrytown,
where he resided until eleven years
ago, when he moved to Yonkers, and
has since lived there. Capt. Denike
is a veteran of the war 1872, having
served, according to his pension GER
tifcate, in Capt. Underhilt's troop of
cavalry as quartermaster sergeant.
When a Herald reporter called at the
residence of the dying veteran yester-
day, he was met at the door by
Mrs. Denike, who welcomed him to
the beside of her husband. He is
very weak" said the lady, land | am
afraid he cannot talk much" When
the reporter entered the room the
centenarian was lying partly on his
left side in a sort of stupor. His face
was remarkably calm, a single flush
overspreading it, and his long iron
gray hair dropping carelessly over his
forehead. His hair was thin, but no
part of his head was bald. He did
not seem to be emaciated to any great
extent his cheek bones were less
prominent than those of many very
much younger people. He wore short
side whiskers, which we're the same
color as his hair. As the reporter
stood beside the bed Mrs. Denike
leaned closely down to his ear and
said, in an ordinary tone of voice,
Pa, here is a gentleman from the
New York Herald would you like to
speak to him ?"
The old gentleman turned partly
over without assistance, opened his
eyes, and extending his hand, said:
rs it the Herald?"
On being answered in the afirma-
tive, he said feebly, Il have read that
paper a great many years--a great
many years"
MEMORIES OF THE PAST.
The old man grasped the reporters
hand warmly, retaining a friendly
hold for some minutes.
II hope | have not disturbed your
rest" said the reporter; 81 called to
make you a brief visit, only"
II am glad to see you, glad to see
you glad to have you CALL" he re-
piled.
DO you feel any pain, captain"
asked the reporter.
"Oh, no; | am not suffering at all.
l feel pretty well, but l am not as
smart as | was a few weeks ago."
He was taken to his bed about six
weeks ago." said Mrs. Denike. in a
low tone, and has been falling rapid
ly ever since. DR.. Reinfelder, who is
attending him, says he cannot live
many days. Modification has already
set in in his back and it cannot be ar
rested"
was ne feeble previous to this att
Last July he had a shock Of pa
in his lower limbs. but he par
tally recovered from that and was
quite smart. He used to walk out
every day and take a of himself.
Before he received the paralytic stroke
he was as smart as any man of sixty"
How is his eyesight? ?"
Good very good. Before he was
taken sick he used to read the Herald
every day. Why, he could see to pick
up a pin. His sight is DINNER now.
but ne can see very we'll"
The old man here opened his fair
blue eyes and, looking steadily at the
reporter. said Ny memory isn't as
good as it was two weeks ago; didn't
you say you belonged to the Herald?
Oh, yes, yes; | am an old man and |
forget"
Captain, can you tell me exactly
how old you are2"
Il was 100 years old" he said, "the
lSt OF last october,
You remember your age distinctly,
do your"
"Oh, yes; 1 know my age exactly. "
The Rev. DR.. Cowles, of the Re
formed church of Ronkers," said Mrs.
Denike, has proved his age and has
the records, so that there cannot be
any mistake about it,"
II suppose you remember much of
opr country's early history" said the
reporter.
Yes, | remember a great many
things that are never thought of now.
but | can't put things together where
they belong"
DO you remember the first steam.
boat on the Hudson river?"
Ghe old captain raised himself IN
in had on HE riohf oIko-