Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-24
MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD
An OLD COLORED WOMAN WELL
REMEMBERS THE WAR OF 1872.
Daughter Says She Is 1O4-She Lived
in Mount Vernon, Near the Old
Washington HOmestead-In
Excellent Health.

From the PittsburG Post-Dispatch.
One of the most interesting characters
in the city of Pittsburg. and indeed in the
whole country, is Mrs. Rose Dorsey. OF
10 Pride street. Mrs. Dorsey is a native
OF Mount Vernon. Va. which the whole
nation reveres as the home of our first
president. This in itself is not remark
able. but the additional fact that she WIS
almost certainly born there before George
Washington died enhances her Importance
a thousandfold. Mrs. Dorsey says she has
no doubt that she has more than once
looked upon the face of the Father of His
Country. but she was too younS 10 re-
member it.
Just whether Mrs. Dorsey is a centen-
arian or not is a matter of doubt. She IS
certainly very close TO LOO years old, and
II seems likely She is a little more ratner
than less Her daughter. Mrs Nliiian
Hemmins, with whom she lives; prts ner
age at ltt. Mrs. Dorsey Is co!ore,i. She
was the property OF u wealthy Virginia
family for many years and did not come
North a free woman until after the civil
war.
Her connection here with an old and
prominent Pittsburg family Is also OF M
terest. She came 10 the city in the early
'6ts and entered the employ OF Mrs Will
lam Nimick. AT the old family homestead
at Nimick station, on the Panhandle road
Among the children who We're at times
under ner care are Frank 3. Nimick. Mrs.
Judge Bailey. Mrs. ID. G.. Stewart William
Nimick Murray and many others.
1t is now ten years or more since she re-
tired from service. and 1t is hardly neces.
sary to add that the faithful old servant
is well looked after in her declining years.
Mrs. Dorsey's son-in-law is William lem
ming. Many will remember the Miss Hem-
Vassar college last June. She was very
fair and the secret of her color, not KNOWN
to anyone during her college course; ere
ated considerable of a surprise when II be-
came known just after her graduation;
She was a most excellent and talented
young woman and it was the general opin-
ion she fully deserved all the honors she
got. Her father is Robert or
Boston. a brother of the William Hem
young woman stood on the table by which
Mrs. Dorsey was found sewing yesterday
afternoon, and It shows her TO- be as hand
some as she is gifted. The are
| very proud of their distinguished relative.
as they have every right to be.
Mrs: Dorsey,s strength and d,o ACTIVITY 10y ARE ARE
usual in one twenty-five years younger.
| When the reporter entered the room
to greet him. you ought to see her run
across the street in front of a car OBJ
seT TItsfe ns5 daughter Shes as lively as
Yes. SON, I remember the war with the
English very WELL" said the old woman.
IT was only a girl then. but I remember
over il years old.
1.-The British soldiers were camped on
the mountains near US 1Or q long tlme
and sometimes they would come down
near the house. I remember seeing the
redcoats very we'll No. there never was
any fighting near US that I remember.
US. have often seen it. and remember
very well what 1t looked like then: I don't
know whether I ever saw George Washing
ton or not. I think I was born before no
died, but. Of course. I don't remember
| seeing him."
-"Do you know how old you are. Mrs.
| Dorsey?"
No. son. I don't. I can tell you what
never knew Just when I was born. They
didn't keep records then.
after awhile my mistress moved to a
place called Poscatamine It's between
don't know how long we stayed there. but
We moved around a good deal to different
places in Virginia..
You remember all about the civil war.
Now, son. don't ask me about that
don't do 1t. I don't want to see anything
like that again, I surely don't. 1 hope the
And the old woman shook her head sadly.
the recollection Of those stirring times evil
IDENTIFY being as fresh in her mind as if it
were only yesterday. I'VE were living in
Winchssser. Va: then, and were right in
Mrs. Dorsey's hearing is still perfect.
Her voice is strong and she talks rapidly
and intelligently.. Her eyes, however. have
strong glasses. She nearly always walks
| to church on Sunday.
Mrs. Dorsey has had four children. Her
is the youngest and the only one living.
| She Is As years old. Mrs. Dorsey has six
Observation-Disclosures living in Minersville.
Her husband died many years ago.
is 10i," said Mrs. Hemming. But We have
no record Of her BIRTH"