The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-17
OLDEST LITIGANT IN THE WORLD
This Is Probably the Distinction New
Jersey Woman Enjoys.

This Is Probably the Distinction a New
Jersey Woman Enjoys.
Mrs. Christina French of Chester Town
ship, Burlington County, 102 years
months and % days old, has just won
suit in the New Jersey Supreme Court,
which she Instituted in November last.
Mrs. French is probably the oldest litigant
in the world, and the favorable termina-
ton OF her action speaks volumes for her
present clearness of mind. She is New
Jersey woman, and one who has probably
seen less of the outside world than many
city children eighty or ninety years her
junior.
Mrs. French was born in Chester Town
ship on August l, 1894 and during her life
of almost 103 years she says she has never
lived a single day in any other place.
Since the death of her parents, about
seventy-ive years ago, she has practically
stood at the head of her family, although
once married, and up to the present day
she transacts all her business, except that
which may require long journey.
The maiden name of the aged litigant
was Christina Slim, and early in the CEN
fury she married Louis G. French. Five
children were born to the couple, one of
recollection Mrs. French says she recalls
only one days sickness, and that was
about four weeks ago. While seated in her
parlor she was suddenly stricken with
palsy, but in a few days she had COM
pletely recovered and to-day is in the
best OF health.
Mrs. French attributes her remarkable
age and health to her mode o! living.
Since childhood her evening meal has al
ways been of mush and milk, and under
no circumstances would she partake of
any other food before retiring. She has
little faith in the curative powers of medi-
cines, and when ailing her only remedy
is dram of whisky.
Mrs. French has some means, and upon
the interest she is enabled to live COM
fortably. In April, 1882, she loaned 5000
on promissory note made by Joseph
Bena bic and Lewis Fowler, and was to re-
ceive annually interest al per cent. Her
business judgment told her that an in
dorser of means would make the loan more
secure, and although 80 years old when
the loan was contracted, Mrs. French Sc
cured the proper indorser in Joseph r.
Harris. The makers of the note paid $I2
regularly each year for ten years, properly
renewing the One-year note each time, but
failed to pay the interest in 1891. 1894, 1895
and 1896. After due warning Mrs French
placed the note in the hands of her coun-
sci, Aaron E. Burr of Morrlstown, with in
structions to bring suit against Mr.. Harris.
Don't bother with any of the small
county courts" was Mrs. French's in juno
ton to her counsel. "but go straight to
Trenton and sue in the Supreme Court"
This Lawyer Burr did, with the result
that judgment was Obtained for $3.50 A,
being the amount of the note with inter-
est and costs to date. The amount was
assessed by Benjamin f. Lee, clerk of the
court, on the clear statement of the trans
action made to the court by Mrs. French
The actual costs of the suit amounted to
$50 80, and by adding this with the inter-
est it was found that Mrs. French's in
vestment has Melted her $206 81 profit
since 1882.
The aged litigant has advised her coun-
sci to give her debtor reasonable time in
which to settle the judgment. She saws
she never got TO having in her young
days and never was to law before, but she
always told her folks that when she did
60 to law she would carry it clean through
to the end" She threatens to levy upon
Mr.. Harris worldly effects unless be set
ties the judgment within a reasonable
time.-Trenton cor. New York Tribune.