Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-26
BANCROFT, THE HISTORIAN
A Pen Picture of the Venerable Writer
Modern Life and Longevity.

Bancroft, the historian, is one of the
most noticeable figures in Washington
society, writes correspondent of the
New York World The remarkable
preservation of his vigor at the adj
vanced age of 81 years is what makes
him most interesting. He is not the
most charming conversationalist in the
world. He fairly roars as he talks. He
appears always as if he were address
ing someone a dozen yards away. He
shouts several sentences at a friend in
this high key and then without waiting
or listening to anyone else he moves to
address someone else. He calls as
much as the most active society young
man. He darts in and out of the lead
ing houses of the town with light skip
that is almost offensive in its eXuberant
agility. This veteran still has slim
erect, figure. His legs are straight.
There is no weakness there. He holds
himself together with all that goes to
make n good military set-up. He is es-
pecially agile in the presence of ladies,
and under the inspiring glance of a
lovely society bud the veteran curvetS,
SHES, and skips with the ightsome
-
has been so fond of riding in the past.
This is a picture of him as saw him
the other day: He sat in a low, easy
pony phaeton drawn by stout black
horse, wearing plain. unornamented
harness. just back of him in the rum
bic sat his favorite colored groom, who
held the reins over the historians left
shoulder. The old man wore a dark
blue untrimmed Prussian officers cap
pulled well down upon his cleaning
eyes, looking out through huge pair
of round, heavily gold-mounted glasses
resting upon real hawk nose. A
snowy-white, silky mustache and beard
brought out his high fresh color, and
stood out in strong contrast with the
dull black of his heavy pilot-cloth over
coat, while about his legs was an af-
CHAN OF red, black, and yellow wor-
steds. 1t was a warm, sunny day. His
horse logged along with steady gait,
while the veteran roared soliloquy at
his servant about his calling places.
The man leaned forward deferentially
and superintendent the calling list.
throw aside his afghan and skip up the
steps, seeming to restrain himself byan
effort from turning handsprings on his
way.
Mr.. Bancroft lives a very regular
life, and as he has always taken a great
deal of outdoor exercise, it is not hard
to account for his long life. He has
never burdened himself with work. He
has been all his long life writing his
tory that could have been written in
ten years with moderate labor One
page of manuscript day of 250 words
he regards as a good days work. Mr..
Blaine, his fellow-historian, a man in
the full vigor of his life, regards 1000
words day as all any man can be ex-
pected to do well for period of pro-
tracted work. Think of this, oh! mer-
CHESS editors, who crack the whip over
newspaper reporters!
Up to the close of last fall he has al
ways devoted several hours a day to
horseback-riding. He has ridden Young
dancing thoroughbreds. 1t has been
theory with his friends that he would
this class of horsef1esh, but he has very
good fortune. He had a very narrow
escape this winter, and that, with an
other misfortune, has put an end to his
riding for the winter. One horse he
had sent to him from Kentucky he ask
ed his groom to try for him before
mounting. This was an unusual re-
quest, as the old gentleman generally
tries his own horses. The horse show
ed bad temper from the start, reared so
violently as to fall over backwards,
nearly killing the groom. The second
venture was also Kentucky one. This
cost Mr.. Bancroft $1,000 The horse
went dead lame soon after the purchase
and is considered almost a total loss.
Upon the vicious horse he got his mon
ey back. Mr.. Bancroft expects to re-
sumo his horseback rides in the spring.
Several gentlemen in Speaker Car
isles rooms were talking of Bancroft
and other old men who have passed be-
yond 80. 1t was evident from the cases
reported with the personal knowledge
of the men present that the conditions
of modern life are favorable to longeVi-
ty. One gentleman from Maine told Of
seeing at Topshan, in that state, in the
recent campaign, six men who were
over IS, while one on the stand was 80.
Another, Capt Davis, aged %, sent
greetings, but was unable to come. An
Ohio man spoke of Robert Crottie, who
lives near Toledo. He is 103. He
ser red as lieutenant in the battle Of
Lake Erie. Mr.. Carlisle spoke of Capt.
Graham, Joe Blackburn father-in-law,
who danced at ball at the age of SO,
and who sat out great dinner glVenin
his honor at Louisville upon his Tooth
birthday. He is yet living. 1t was on
ly the other day that Gen. Harvey, OF
the army, aged 81, married. What a
lie is the old saw, $50 it while you are
young, for when you are old you
can't"