Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-09-06
WESTINGHOUSE KISS.
Still Lingering In the Memory of an Aged
Woman.

Still Lingering In the Memory of an Aged
Woman.
Speaking of aged people" remarked
Mr.. James Donnelly, the proprietor OF
the coal yard at Second avenue and One
Hundred and Twenty-third street, yes
terday aft .rnoon, "why don't the Jour-
nal interview Mrs. Nancy Skidmore, the
eldest woman in New York, if not in
the world?"
The Journal reporter had never heard
of Mrs. Skidmore, but expressed his will
ness to call upon the lady.
"All right, will take you around to
her house." said Donnelly.
Together the visitors proceeded up to
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth street
and walked ca until the black waters
of the Harlem river were in view.
"There is the house." said MIR. Dom
nelly, pointing TO three story wooden
structure which had once been painted,
but which is now worn and discolored
by the storms and SHOWS of many years.
II is numbered 23S East One Hundred
and Twenty -eighth street, and is owned
by Mr.. John Campbell. grrat-grandson
of Mrs. Skidmore, and who is the pro-
prietor of a meat stand in Washington
market.
The inevitable Harlem canary, in the
shape of a well developed William goat,
was calmly chewing section ofthe pick.
ct fence when the reporter and Mr.. Dom
nelly entered the yard. The goat stop
ped chewing and looked inquiringly at
the visitors as if debating whether to
charge upon them or not. The reporter
threw William an empty tomato can,
which decided him in favor of peace.
A small tow-headed girl opened the
door in answer to the pull at the door
bell, and the reporter inquired: "Can
see Mrs. Skidmore?"
"My Observation-Disclosures is not
very well, but guess l she will see you,'
was the reply, as the tow-head and a
glimpse of red stocking dashed up the
stairs. Mr.. Donnelly and the reporter
seated themselves in the little parlor to
await the appearance of the female cen.
tenarian. A faltering step was heard
coming down the stairs, and the tow
headed girl opened the parlor door ant
said: Here's the gentlemen, grand
mother"
"Howdy do, gentlemen" squeaked the
lady in a piping voice, as she sank into
a big'arm-chair. Mrs. Skidmore certain
ly appeared to be over century old
Her form was as thin as match anC
the bones could be seen sticking through
the skin of her arms. Her face was tn,
color of parchment and she resembleC
closely an Egyptian mummy which thu
reporter had seen in the Eden Musee.
Fetch me the invigorator, Jennie,
she continued, and the girl brought {
quart flask, from which the old lady
emptied something into a glass anC
drank it quickly. 1t smelled like whis
XIV and the reporter asked:
do you ever use liquor, Mrs. Skid
The latter smacked her lips and re
piled:
"Ever since was seventeen years old
my dear. drink about quart of stron,
whisky every day and DR.. Biagdon o
Harlem says it's the only thing tina
keeps me alive"
"How old are your" asked the report
NV was a5ibs born II In 1764,S replied Mr.
Skidmore. "That will make me II
years old on the 3Oth of next Decem
ber." . lt.,,.i. b. ...
Seeing an expression of incredulity OF
her visitors faces she cried sharply
"Bring me the Bible, Jennie" On ex
amining the ancient relic the foiiowin
inscription, blurred and faint with agt
could be dimly distinguished. "Nanc
Nevers, born December 301764." @. 2.
THAT'S it." exclaimed the old LADY
triumphantly. "Its in the Bible :.
that settles it. was born in TIL; cit
on what is called Ann street, near whel
the site of the Postoffice now is. III.
was considered out In the country th"l
and remember young David BarRe
who was my first husband, ha, ~ lea,
my house every night soon after mi,
night to get down town to WORK in til
morning. That's when he was courtir
me-" and Mrs. Skidmore smiled at Ii
recollection. Then she called for ii
flask, and after an interval, resumed:
81 was married five times. NV la
husband, Adolphus Skidmofe, who con
manded the Skidmore Guards, died whe
was ninety-six years old. don't e,
pect to marry again, as l promised hi
not to- t5 I'M
The old lady sighed as if regrettir
her promise, and then remarked blith
ly:
what a handsome man Gener
Washinton was! / remember him d.
livering his Farewell Address to til
army ON Battery Green. How grand an
noble he looked! And when he ber
down and kissed me, how happy | fel
Poor Mr.. Nichols, who was then m
third husband, was real jealous about i
But collie and see my collection of cur
osities," said Mrs. Skidmore.
She conducted. the visitors to BED
room upstairs, where gifts from ever
President from Washington to A-thu
were displayed. upon the large mantle
Washington had given her a cuff-buttol
which has since turned greenish color
but Mrs. Skidnore insists THAT it is rea
gold; John Quincy Adams presented he
with one ofhis back teeth which h,
had broken off while eating a railroad
sandwich. From Lincoln she had pref
ty silk handkerchief. Elk. Presiden
Grant had sent her an empty cigar box