The Winslow mail., 1898-11-05
A RIPE OLD AGE
4 COIcred woman Believed to Be 124
Years Old - Shows Her
Birth Record.

The recent death Of Robert Taylcr,
the oldest person in Great Britain or
Ireland, whose age was 134 years, has
caused considera bic comment in all
parts of America. Last April Queen
Victoria sent him picture of herself
Us birthday gift.
The death of Taylor recalls the fact
that Ohio has a resident who has long
since passed the century mark in lie.
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, o. Mrs.
Davis lives with her grandson, who is
himself an old gray-haired man. The
aged woman is co,ored and she is
known to most of the residents in High
land county. For a woman who has at
tanned such remarkable age, "Aunt"
Mirah is spry and manages to get
around and do her share Of housework.
According to residents of Swiss Eim
the aged woman can still do a days
washing without suffering any evil ef-
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
resident of Highland county. She de-
lights in telling stories and anecdotes
of the cotton fields before the rebel
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 slight attack Of asthma
now and then.
An account of the death of Robert
Taylor was read 10 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 few days Of his death. at
tending 10 the many little details of the
place. According 10 the Westminster
Gazette he was born in 17G4; others put
his age al 119. At any rate it is on rec
ord that lie was fifer for the British
troops during the rebellion in 179S in
|
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 a
greater age than that attained by Rob
ert Taylor.
Many strangers who have heard Of
I
! 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 1iilIsboro, on the
Petersburg and Hillsboro pike. In the
case Of most aged colored people there
is 10 record to show in reference 10
| 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 arc worn away until they are
now as thin as tissue paper. The rela-
j tives of the aged woman are very care
! full about showing the book, as they
do not care to have it handled unneces-
sarily and thereby incur chances of
having it mutilated. Amt Mirah never
indulges in the use Of stimulants. but
occasionally smokes cob pipe. She is
a familiar picture. seated in front Of
her little cabin, which is surrounded by
a cluster of shade trees.-Cincinnati
! IT,, 1,o,,;ror