New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-05
NORWICR'S CENTENARI1N.
COLONEL PERKINS, HUNDREDTH YEAR-E
SKETCH OF HIS CHARACTER

SKETCH OF HIS CHARACTER
Norwich, Conn, Aug. iSpeciaI.-This beautiful old
town, the Rose Of NewE England" has furnished the
country with poets statesmen scholars and soldiers Of
National repute but It is doubtful has taken moro
pride In any OF them than in citizen OF this place
morrow will complete his huniredth year Cenonsf-
ans enough best but Colonel George Il Per-
kins OF Norwich IS exceptionally choice noble
specimen OF the species Instead OF robbed
his faculties and helpless rum physical
lie burden 20 his frendsas Is often those
who spared Cor long a nfe--he is still engaged
actively in business conspicuous figure in the srees
regular attendant church. and preserved and
alert many sixty. He for nearly half his
lifetime been connected with the Norwich and Worcester
Railroad Company It's treasurer. and recently
walked from his home to the company's Office. half
mile four times daily in good weather. Recently he has
pstronized omnibus line for part way: vet he
carries himself erect dovoes himself assiduous
~ TO his duties writes beautifully leeble hand and
chats eenially any OF his fellow townsmen His
sight and hearing excellent, and the cane which HI
carries is employ ed mainly in giving rayiul to
his juniors giving emphasis felic.ous remark
SO admirably preserved Is he indeed being
informed concerning his good authority. who
met him for the first time would imagine he had
gotten further along in years than the seventies.
Colonel Perkins possesses eourtIness OF
at all times. that suggests Chesterfield and
George Washington. but maced with geniaty as dsIi.
and unique the bouquet OF wines only mon
archs drink Born and reared amid Puritanica
tons, his moral perceptions have always and
his character spotess disposition utterly lack.
ing In all that bigotry which s. narrowed and marred
the typical New Englander olden time The hand.
some cenenarian, being Of culture and a great
storyteler, and having among his endowmens lively
OF humor IS conversationalist His memory
back the last OF Washington's and
he has been intelligent observer Of Nations indus
trial development Before the day steamboats, tee-
graphs and railroads ne mature and active citizen.
During 1924 he Lieutenant with Com
modore Decatur OF which period he has many charming
"reminiscences Fond Of society himself he with
the gayettes and pranks bellies and beaus thas
a.unshed SAY and seventy years ago; and young
hearted is he still that misses in their fnd
his company agreeable often than that OF
nearly their He adapts himself
easily and happily 70 the age, social station
and peculiaritles Of those with whom he
converses and singulsry from seniie proxity
With hint OF condescension, he has. withal .
benevolent and social prompting which leads him to notice
those who have little claim his attention and many
who felt It a compliment receive even glance
Of recognition from Colonel Perkins the business streets
OF the has been stopped for two minutes 10 hear
good story recouned while It's narrators eyes wnkled
like Sirius frosty night And generation after
generation has born. grown up, served the world
less effectively and then gone the way OF al
fesh while Colonel Perkins benignanty entertained each
In succession standing amid these mutations az does an
tree after year, the husbandmans sheaves
1t realize that only nineteen such etmes ono
after another would reach back from the present year
beyond the birth OF Christ
Colonel Perkins, survival and excellent health are due,
very largely TO his fine Of himself and his buoyant
amiable disposition lie has carefully studied the art OK
preserving health and this perhaps Is MS only hoooy.
The wonderful that has attended his efforts in this
direction however only iustines his riding It freely.
I'M. lends 10 his convictions and precepts great value.
There will be general congT1tulaon tomorrow over hia
attainment OF this ripe age.