Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-12

MARIAN" But it is, and faithful one
and any indications it may have, as that
its subject writes q firm hand, goes TO
business, and is capable of overtaking
and Jumping on stage, are borne out
by the facts. No wonder that the MT
meg State is proud Of its Oldest inhabi-
tant, with whom it's surely time that
people in other Commemorative become
acquainted.
George +. Perkins was born in Nor
wich, August 3, 1883. In his youth he
was an almost helpless invalid. so pre-
carious did his condition become that
his father sent him to the West Indies III
charge OF q body servant. The trip,
however, did him little good and upon
his return he began the healthful prac-
tice OF pedestrianism, making excursions
to different parts of New England. Ii
was about this time, in 1907, that he
walked from Norwich to POughkeepsie,
n. y, in order to be passenger on the
Clermont, the first steamboat that ever
padded the waters Of the Hudson. A
night and day were consumed in making
the Journey TO New York the speed Of
FultOn's steamer being but three and
one half miles an hour.
When the war of 1912 broke out Mr..
Perkins was made paymaster for the
Third district, which comprised Con-
necticut, Rhode Island, anti Massachu-
sstts He was present at the lombard
nent Of StoningtoB on August 10th For
seventysix years he has not missed an
election, either presidential, town, or
municipal. James Madison was the
first President for whom he voted, IN
1912, and James Monroe the second. lie
expects to vote this year. During Non
rOe's administration be made tour OF
the New England States, coming up the
Sound from New York to New London
on the steamer Fulton. The Colonel
has met Madison, John Adams, John
Quincy Adams, Van Buren,, and Lincoln,
and has had as his guests in Norwich
Presidents Jackson and Hayes. In 1861
Governor Buckingham, OF Connecticut,
sent him TO Washington with important
papers, and while there, at the invitation
of President Lincoln and Secretary of
War Cameron, he reviewed the Seventy
fourth New York regiment Mr.. Perkins
was one of tire original corporators of
what is now the Norwich and Worcester
railroad, the second or third oldest in
the country, which was incorporated III
1885 as the Boston, Norwich and New
London, afterwards the Norwich and
Worcester. He was one of its directors
for many years. Mr.. Perkins became
treasurer OF the road in 1888, and has
held the Office ever since with tho
exception Of seven months. He has
outlived eight presidents, over ninety
directors, two civil engineers and four
superintendent, and is the Oldest active
railroad-man, volunteer fireman, book
keeper, and club-man in the world. Mr..
Perkins attributes his wonderful pre-
servation and vigor TO his temperate
habits. He has never used liquor nor
tobacco i'll any form. His food is very
simple. Entire wheat bread is eaten by
him, and bolted flour has never crossed
the threshold OF his door.
His wife still lives and shares the
honors of his old age. She has been
his companion seventy years. Both
have reason to be proud of each others
personal appearance. She is a hand
some old lady, and he is perfect speci-
men of gentlemen Of the old school
dignifed, courtly. and polished. He is
six feet in height, shapely and straight
as an arrow, snow-white hair and
wbiskers, and a pleasant face, from
which beam bright blue eyes.