The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-14
"cLEARED THE FOUR BARRED GATE
Mrs. Peters of this City Celebrates Her
80 tn Birthday.

Yesterday Mrs. Peters of Myrtle street
celebrated her seth birthday and received
the warm congratulations of shost of
friends and had the pleasure of gathering
arond her table four generations. Mrs..Pet-
ers at SO does not look 20 and her APP
pearance denotes great vigor for one of her
advanced age. She still delights in doing
housework and is still the head of her
household honored and loved by her child.
rem grand children and great grand child
rem.
She Yves born in Portland her father be-
ing James Cory. Her parents died before
she was old enough to remember them and
she was given in charge of her uncle Cap
tain Daniel Tucker who was leading citi-
Zen in those days. He filled the office of
selectman and was chief engineer of the
fire department. Mrs. Peters wildly recalls
the war of 1912 and the grands military
funeral when the captains of the Boxer
and the Enterprise were buried. At that
time her uncle took a prominent part in the
funeral hating the procession when it
passed up King street and warning the peo-
pie who We're crowding the fiat roof of
house somewhat ancient structure that
they We're in danger.
Captain Tucker, when the news of peace
was received was almost worn out there
having been succession fires and con-
slant changing of the fire bell. His son said
to him Father peace has been declared"
and the captain replied IF it is peace let
us lie down in peace" Mrs. Peters wildly
recalls all the bravery of the ancient fire.
mems muster the fire buckets and the
trumpet. of the chief. Capatin Tucker
was much concerned about careless people
who wouldn't look after their ashes. s'And
YETI SAID Mrs. Peters, yesterday, 'our
garden was more like farm, than gar
den." Houses were not thickly packed
then.
She married Mr. Edmund F. Peters, who
was one of the early friends of Gen. Neal
Dow and who died in 1889 There were five
children OF which four are now living,
George G. Peters Mrs. Edward A. Bailey,
Mrs. George G. Fo5es, and Mrs. Ellen n.
Purinton. Her children, grandchildren
and great grandc hildren, all gathered to
meet and congratulate her, and there were
many pleasant Incidents, not the least be-
ing the gift of the greatSgrandchildren who
unable TO see the difference labeled their
gift, for big grandma
Among her callers were Rev. and Mrs.
Samuel French of Pennsylvania, and K.
W. Gale and daughter of Maryland. Mr..
Elisha Wheeler, an old friend, called, and
was followed by others, all being warmly
received, land all invited to drink the health
of the old lady in lemonade. Mrs. Peters
is member of the First Parish church, and
recalls with great pleasure the late Mr..
Hill.
Her interest il passing events is keen
and she keeps thoroughly posted. She re-
marked yesterday, 'sTimes worry me more
now than they did when was girl.'' She
thoroughly disapproved of the great strike,
and when things looked the worst, asked
one of her daughters, 'Do you think we'd
better have another barrel of flour sent
over''
While her hearing is somewhat impaired
her sight is veryagood, and she takes great
delight in reading the papers aloud to one
of her daughters, whose sight is not very
good. She follows the course of events
with an intelligent interest, and there is lit
tie about.her general appearance suggestive
of her great age. There seems to be no
good reason why she may not live to round
out the full measure of 100 years, secure in
the love of her family, and held in high re-
spect 10y her large circle of friends
Thanksgiving is one of the events of the
year to which she looks forward with all
the pride of model New England house
wife of the old school, who is perfectly con-
fdent that dinner will be done to turn,
and with the delight of the head of large
family, who can gather around her table
four almost unbroken generations. 1t is
doubtful if there lis another household in
Portland, of which the same can be said.
Mrs. Peters is of bright and cheerful
nature, which perhaps accounts for her
| great age, and remarkable activity. To be
sure, here in Maine, SO is not a great age,
| even if it would be regarded so elsewhere,
but it may be well doubted if there is in
| this state another instance sof so marked
vitality and SO few signs of advancing age.
| The great burden that commonly bends
| those who have long passed the four bar
| red gate,'' DR.. Holmes talks of, is scarcely
! needed in her case