National Republican., 1881-07-30
cEoRoETowN,s OLD MAN.
A CentcnArian Next "wednesday sketch
of Michael Cnltnn.

Georgetown. since IL has become q
part Of Washington, has added to its numerous
attractions ccntcnaran. Everything about the
place has the flavor Of age, except the citizens,
who are wide awake enough. Mr. Michael Cal
Ian forms no exception, and yet on next Wednes-
day, the 30 Of August he will be exactly one hun.
drcd years old. lie bears his age extremely well,
and has mo idea Of giving up his grip on
life. All the boys for several generations past
that attended Georgetown College know
Michael Callan. He has been connected with
the college since he came to this country from
Ireland In 1911 and has of late years supplied the
boys with their luncheon His bright face, genial
voice, and ready wit have made him universal
fnyoriic. He has been so long about the college
that it seems II the college could not go on un.
less Callan was at his post. Ills friends have
thought Of late years that owing to his advanced
age, he ought TO give up the active duties which
have employed him for so many years The old
man. however,
REFUSED TO DESERT THE COLLEGE,.
and no one, from the president down, wished to
lose him; and as he seemed to be happier at his
post Of duty, he has been allowed to continue Mr..
C0llan, as presented to reporter OF THE REruBh-
CAN last evening" is small man, rather thick set,
of erect figure end active step His thin, silyery
locks fall about face that shows no indications OF
the weakness that usually accompanies advanced
served. His memory is excellent, and his eye
sight up to November last, was so good that
he was enabled TO read without glasses. He
had been using glasses for number OF
years until about four years ago, when he
had his second sight aud was able to dispense
with glasses entirely. It's now believed that he
is gradually losing his cyesight entirely although
he can still see Mr.. Callan attributes his long life
TO his temperate habits. lie has never tasted spr-
ituous liquors or used tobacco Ia any form. lie
has always gone to bed with the birds and risen
with them. Mr. Callan also attributes his great
age to his abstinence from medicine, lie hasbeen
sick but little during his long life, and the only
medicines he has taken were some bitters every
spring composed of salts, ginger, and oamomile
tea The reason he took these bittcrs was because
q man who. during the reign of George III. IN
England died
AT THE AGE OF ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY,
so II was said confined himself exclusively to this
medication. Mr. Calan came of long. lived
family, and he had aunt who lived to be 10s
lie came to this country In 1911 and went at once
to Georgetown, where ho has lived ever since. His
reason for leaving Ireland was because Of his con.
ncction with the asitator o'Connelk He was mar
ricd when he was nfty.ivo years old to a lady who
was only seventeen. They lived very happily to-
gcher, and when his wife died, about O
year ago, at the age OF ily-two, he
was inCOnsolable, and his friends thought
that he would not survive the blow They had
twelve children, eight of whom are still living
| His three sons are now In Texas, and the five
daughters are living in Georgetown He now re.
sides with one Of his daughters, Mrs, Addison. lie
liza great temperance man, and is one of the proml
nent members OF the Catholic Beneficial Temper
ance Society. At one Of the meetings u short time
ago he recitcd n number of Scripture verses which
he had dcOmmited TO memory for the occasion, al
meeting n few Sundays ngo he made a temperance
address. Ills failing eyesight hns been great
grievance to him, as he has always been very fond
of reading. During the session Of the college last
year he was at his post twice day and he nov
looks forward to the opening of the college yea,
in September to resume his duties. When the re.
porter called last evening he not feeling very
WELL but his friends do not consider that II is any
thing more than slight indisposion. His cen
tennial on Wednesday next will be celebrated by
| d family gathering.