Daily camera., 1898-11-07
A RIPE OLD AGE.
A Colored Woman Believed to BE 124
Years Old - shows Her
Birth Record.

uC 1CSCut bSa' IL VI ltODClp lOl
the oldest person in Great Britain or
Ireland, whose age was 1874 years, has
caused considerable comment in all
parts of America. Last April Queen
Victoria sent him picture of herself
rs birthday gift.
The death of Taylor recalls the fact
that Ohio has a resident who has long
since passed the century mark in life.
The person referred to is Aunt Mirah
Davis. She is reputed to be 124 years
old. and she lives about four miles from
Swiss Elm, Highland county, 0. Mrs.
Davis lives with her grandson, who is
himself an old gray-haired man. The
aged woman is coiOred, and she is
known to most of the residents in High
land county. For woman who has at
tanned such a remarkable age, Aunt"
Mirah is spry and manages to get
around and do her share of housework.
According to residents of Swiss Elm,
the aged woman can still do a days
washing without suffering any evil eff
fects. She was born and reared in Ala
bama. but for the past 100 years she
has lived in various parts of the north.
For the last half century she has been
a resident of Highland county. She de-
lights in telling stories and anecdotes
lion, and she says that she intends to
visit the place of her birth before she
ends her earthly existence. Aunt Mirah
appears to be perfectly well. with the
exception of a slight attack Of asthma
now and then.
An account of the death of Robert
Taylor was read to the aged woman of
Highland county the other day, and she
displayed great interest in the history
of the Irish postmaster. Taylor was
appointed postmaster at Scarva, Coun-
ty Down, Just after the introduction Of
penny postage, and he held that office
to within a few days of his death, at
tending to the many little details of the
place. According to the Westminster
Gazette he was born in 1864; others put
his age at 119 At any rate it is on rec
ord that he was a fifer for the British
troops during the rebellion in 1898 in
Ireland He was a Methodist and had
built large hall back of his residence
for religious purposes. Aunt Mirah
Davis is also a Methodist, and she at
tends services regularly. Her appetite
is good and she thinks she will live to
greater age than that attained by Rob-
ert Taylor.
Many strangers who have heard of
the great age attained by Aunt Mirah
have called on her. and she always re-
ceives them in the most~cordial man
ner. The residence of the aged woman
is eight miles from Hillsboro, on the
Petersburg and Hillsboro pike. In the
case of most aged colored people there
is no record to show in reference to
their birth. In the case of Aunt Mirah,
however, there is an inscription in an
old. time worn Bible which shows that
she was born on April %, 1774. This
book is yellow with age, and most Of
the leaves are worn away until they arc
now as thin as tissue paper. The rela.
tives of the aged woman are very care
full about showing the book. as they
do not care 10 ha(eit handled unneceS-
sarily and iherePy incur chances Of
having it mutilated. Aunt Mirah never
mdulges in the use of stimulants, but
occas ionaIIy smokes a cob pipe. She is
a familiar picture, seated in front of
her lit tie ca bin, which is surrounded by
cluster of shade trees.-Cincinnati
Enonrer