The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-27

OAuiL overlooking the west IOrk OF
Honey Greek is the quaint and an
cient village of New London. ten miles
west OF here, the Oldest town in this
part OF the state. In pioneer days it
was an important trading post. Here
Judge Long repaired guns for the Mi
amis, and it is near this spot where old
Chief Kokomo lies buried, and where
Pete Cornstailx, later chief found
two white menrobbing grave of orna-
ments and killed both robbers. New
London of today consists of a few di-
lapidated dwellings,, post Office store,
smith shop school house, chursh and
cemetery It's daily hack line is its
only communication with civilization.
In a small, low, UNCOVERED cottage,
part or which, is formed of hewn logs,
the entire structure almost hidden from
view by luKuriant growth of shrub
berry and trees, lives a venerable lady,
who enjoys the distinction of being the
great grandmother of the Democratic
nominee for president o.
States. This is. Mrs. Mary Forbes Cobb,
aged "a years. The story of her life is
an interesting one, depending in no
sense on the Whirl of recent political
events to bring her name into prom
1nence. Mary Forbes Gano was born
IN frankfort, KY, Jan. IL, 1903. When
nine years old she removed with her
parents to Winchester, KY, where in
1871 she was married to Louis HI. Bryan,
the great grandfather of William Jen-
nlngs Bryan, he then being a young
W1ddower with two small children,
whose first wife was Miss Jane An
dreWs. Five children were born to
Louis H. and Mary Forbes Bryan, they
also rearing the children of the former
marriage. George, the grandfather of
the nominee, was the eldest son. He
moved to Illinois when his son, Silas
Bryan, was but five years old. After
the death of the elder Bryan, Mrs
Bryan remained twelve years a wild
ow when she married Elisha Cobb.
who died in 1874. Six children were
born to this union
Mrs. Cobb has lived in Clark and
owen counties, Kentucky, moving to
Indiana for permanent residence in
1884, since which time she has made her
nome with her daughter, Mrs Moses
McDamels of New London, the latter
being upwards of eighty years. Mrs.
Copp is phenomenally well preserved.
pelng as active as most persons Of
Sixty. she assists her daughter with
the housework, including the family
washing. She was bending over the
wash tub with arms in the suds to the
elbows when the word came that her
great-grandson had been nominated
for the presidency She was deeply af-
rested by the unexpected intelligence.
but sat down and wrote a congratu-
latory message to her distinguished
relative. She smokes a pipe, though
not as frequently as in her Younger
Gays. She alternates tobacco and null
len IN her pipe, recommending the use
OF the latter to all sufferers from ca
tarrh. She has an interesting collec-
tlon OF relics of revolutionary times.
she lived near the home of Henry CLAW
and was well acquainted with the fam
lily. The visit of De Kalb TO America
IS well remembered by the old lady.
She says the old revolutionary soldiers
almost worshiped him. Her grand
lather, John Gano, was a chaplain with
Gen. Washington's archers Her first
husband, Louis Fl. Bryan, was in the
war of 1872, entering the service at the
age Of seventeen.
During the late civil war the BRYAN
home in Ketucky was stripped of
everything by the soldiers of both ar
mics, and several times during that
period the old lady has made the trip
to Indiana in a covered wagon. to
avoid the unpleasantness. She is a
member of the Baptist church, calling
herself an "old side professionalism
Baptist" In politics she has always
been pronounced Republican and
says she ''hopes if her relative is elect
ed he will make as good a president as
did Abraham Lincoln" She thinks
that political campaigns as now con-
Quoted are unwise; that they are too
extravagant, and that the money ex-
pended would do more good if given to
the poor On being asked If she would
not like to live six more years to round
out the century, she replied that she
would if she continued able to work
and be of some use; that when she
could no longer work she wanted to
die. When seen by reporter today
she was at the ironing table, welding
the irons as actively as a girl of 20
She expressed her ability to tire out
any Of her children or grandchildren
yet at any kind of work.