The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-25
Moan R.fBf'S BIRTHDIY,
tie Says lie VIII BE le5 Years Old on
April tst.

Noah Raby. an inmate Of the poor
farm at Piscatawa three miles from this
city. claims the distinction OF being the
Oldest man I'm the world tie asserts with
an air OF profound conviction that on
April LIST he Will be rs years old Ac-
cOrding to his recollection, IL was eighty
four years ago that he received his dis
charge from the man-of-war Brandywine,
which had just finished cruise or in
spectlOn OF the various ports OF the Unit
ed States. The day after he left the
Brandywine Raby went 10 New Jersey.
and since THAI time he has spent his lie
within the State.
For more than half century Raby fol-
lowed the occupation OF a farm hand and
then, about thirty years ago, he settled
down AT the poor farm at Piscatawa,
where he has remained ever since. The
old man is totally blind. His body Is
somewhat bent with age, but the muscles
OF his arms and legs are firm. lie has no
teeth. and in talking his words are emit
ted with Whistln4 accompaniment. his
voice Is still strong, ana his laugh as
hearty az IL ever was. His hair IS long
and white, but mis- beard Is iron gray.
His eyebrows are jet black. Although ne
is positive that his father was an Ameri-
can Indian. Rabys skin is perfectly Wmle
and his features are OF Il pure Caucasian
type. The old man speaks with marked
Southern accent. He has some difficulty
in remembering dates. but is positive
about the length of time spent in differ
ent places. lie tells the following story
OF his life: IL was born In Gates county,
North Carolina, al town called Eaton
town. on April !, lil2. My mother was
a native of South Carolina. named Sarah
Raby, and my father was North Amer
lean Indian named Andrew Bass. j never
had a chance 20 learn much as boy as
| never went 20 school. l learned 10 read
from the old Testament and the hymn
book and occasionally got hold Of news
I
even write my own name.
II began to smoke when / was about six
years old / was then home with my
mother and used 10 light her pipe for
her. No. 1 do not think tobacco ever
made me sick, and / don't think 10 mas
hurt me, though / have smoked about
llg years. I've drunk Whskey all my life.
but | was never overcome by lt-wnat
you might call drunk-but three times IN
my life"
Raby says he heard Gen. Washington
sneak. lie is not sure what the subject
OF the speech was. but there is no doubt
In his mind that the General was angry.
Yes sir" said Raby. Il saw the Cen
eral and heard him talk. He was mad
clear through. my gracious. yes. shall
never forget one thing Dee said-lt mas
stuck to me most a hundred years now
Go right on. fellow citizens. as you have
been and / assure you We shall have the
pitch hot That's what he said and no
mistake.
II left the navy because / aid not want
10 go to war. I've lost my discharge pa
pers. and / am sorry. because II ! had
them might get pension. 10 would
prove my age, too. II nothing else
Some forty years ago Raby joined the
Baptist church I'm Elizabeth by being I'M
mersed. For miles around the farmers
are familiar with Uncle Noahs story. and
all OF them are firm believers I'm his age.
The old man will be overwhelmed with
callers on his birthday. and many deli
cacy will ind fits way from tho Kitchen
Of the farm houses in the immediate
vicinity 10 Mr.. Runners larder for the
old man. Mr. Hummer. the ovorsecI.
looks after his aged charge with great
care and thinks there Is no one Ike
Raby.
The old man sleeps in his chair TO pre-
vent a rush OF blood 10 his head. MS
diet is very plain and consists Of bread
and milk with little boiled Hsh or rice
occasionally. When he was at his best
the old man weighed 800 pounds. but now
he weighs less than a huudred.-Ncw
York Sun