Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-01-31
nn nnnrnn ~ wArEnLoo.


sad Death Of mn old French Veteran
Aged 93 Years.
A HUNDRED yeara or more would proc
ably have rolled over the grizGied head
Of John g. Racine in the ordinary course
of events il he had not met with the
accident several weeks ogo which re-
suited in his death on Monday. III ne
had lived, the old, gray veteran would
have been % years old on the i6tn OF
10th day OF next month. A Frenchman
born, he served under Napoleon at
Waterloo where his father fell. he came
TO this country some time atterward and
has been living on the farm on which he
died almost as far bnok as the reooiiec-
ton OF the oldest resident goes.
He was never sick a Day during his
long and eyentfnl career aud did not
need the care Of physician until few
weeks ago when he was struck by q train
near his home. He lives about mile
from Portsr's station and the railroad
crosses the lane leading TO his home mot
more than 80 or 40 feet distant from bis
gate. He was driving across the railroad
track when his carrisge was struck by q
passing train which demolished the
yshiclo and threw him heavily to tbs
ground. He had m arm broken in two
places, a hip fractured and sustainedf In
ternal injufies which finally resulted In
his death. He was hopeful of recovery
almost to the last, but he had been I'M
conscious since Saturday and bis death
was peaceful.
lie was joviRl, kind.hearted old man
who enjoyed most Of the pleasures of
life without experiencing too many of its
cares or troubles. He was like IN oak
compared to the average specimen OF
mankind. Although not very tall, his
we'll. knit and big boned frame was As
powerful az that OF Heroules. One
day as his two oxen were hauling some
logs from the woods, the latter became
entangled in some obstruction, the root
of tree or something similar and the
united strength Of the two beasts failed
to bulge them. Racine placed his back
to the load and braoing himself, with one
prodigtous effort he cleared the logs OF
tina obstruction.
de was 1uite young when he came to
this country. He did not like the United
States ADD after several years when he
had saved enough to take him safely home
again he went to New York determined to
return 10 France and spend the rest OF
hts days IN his Dativs lard. On the eve
OF hts departure, he seemed TO regret his
hasty resolve and determined, at least, to
have another frolio In his new home be-
fore returning the old. he succeeded so
we'll that on the following morning he
had not enough left TO pay his passage;
so he returaed to Delaware, quietly
settled on farm and has remained there
ever since.
He was generous 10 fault aud IL he
had not besn ever ready to extend help
to all who asked he might have been o
comparatively rich man. Tho old man re-
tanned possession Of all lis faculties mp to
the time OF his last accident, and his
physician predicts that he would have
been good for 10 or 10 years more II II
he'd not occurred. He had gained his SEQ.
ond sight and could read o newspaper
without the aid of gIsssea.
To WAS married twice, on both coca
slons to American ladies. His second
wife, who Ia q sister of Mrs. Payntar of
~ Georges, survives him, together with
six sons and one daughter, the eldest OF
whom is about 81 years old. Ills wife
IS about 10 yeers ycGaaer thar. her hua,
hand va, HE f ~ viii niaoa
rom N-eFH 4 lion fo.mJtFow
Afternoon ~ o'elocg. Servias5 VT 'la
held at the house aud intsrment made in
Red Lion Cemetery.