The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1895-02-21
Iuka's Oldest Inhaditant.

Mr. EDIT oR-It would probably in
terest your readers to have brief
sketch of the Oldest person in the
county and one among the first settlers
of tuka. allude to Mrs. Eccles, wife
of one of our best citizens, Mr.. A.
Eccles, On the 14th inst. she cele-
brated, she says, her 91st birthday d.
She was born in Fairfield district,
about two miles from Weinsboro, South
Carolina. Her maiden name was
Garbrough. She first married Hugh
Smith and moved to Georgia, while
near the present town of Cartersville,
Ga, Mr.. Smith was accidentally
drowned in Etowah River. By him
she had quite a number of children of
whom three are now living. Mr. Thos.
B. Smith, who is and has been for
great number of years one OF the most
trusted and efficient employees OF the
Memphis & Charleston railroad, and
two daughters. both widows and citi-
zens of Iuka, Mrs. Millsaps and Mrs.
Hughes. Mrs. Eccles has now living
in Iuka four of her generations. Her
daughter, granddaughter, great grand
daughter and great grandson, who is
Paul, the little son of our hotel man
W b. Leathewood. MIR. d. X. Hub
bard, who bought from the United
States the land on which Iuka is To-
Gated, married a granddaughter of
Mrs. Eccles.
Her mind is still remarkably clear
and strong, and she can give you the
details OF many things which happened
rs years ago She remembers distinctly
when war was declared in 1912 between
the United States and Great Britain
and she tells of many incidents OF that
war. She lived in Iuka all through
the late war between the States, and
while her husba was in the Confed-
crate army she remained at home and
was all the time a red-hot rebel, a real
''chick of the old blue hen." At one
time Federal soldier attempted to
enter her house and take her money
when she put herself in front Of him
and defied his power, and 1t is said
gave him good rebel cursing, when
he struck her across the head with his
gun and gave her big scar which to-
day she is as proud OF as boy OF his
first breeches-
Mrs Eccles is a prominent member
of the Hard Shell Baptist church, and
she very seldom misses the meetings
of her church which is two miles from
town, though she often walks to attend.
There is one thing though that the
writer has often seen her do and that
is to dance-not the indolent, lanquid
dances OF the present day; but the good
old break downs OF the olden time. But
course Mr.. Editor, you will keep this
par. secret.
On the 14th, her 91st birthday, she
got up at her usual early rising time
and cleaned up her room and made up
her own bed--things which she has
never allowed anyone else to do for
her, and it is said by her close neigh
bors that she sometimes gets after her
granddaughters and hurries them out
of her way when they seem to her TO
be too slow in doing their work.
1 could tell you of many amusing in
cidents of this remarkable old-young
lady, but for fear l will make the
story too long l will stop. But Mr..
Editor, if you want to be entertained.
and can't go sooner, suppose you call
to see her on her next birthday and
she can give you many things for the
good of your readers. AS a neighbor
there is none better; as friend there
is none truer; as woman there Is
mono more remarkable for physical
and mental activity OH TIMER