Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-05-05
HE rs l0l YEARS OLD.
Celebration in Honor IOf Gard
ner Upham of Windham.

He Tells About Seeing Lafayette at BOs-
ton and OF Daniel Webster's Address
on strRttOn Mountain.
The 10lst birthday anniversary of Gard
ner Upham of Windham was celebrated
May 2. Friends, relatives and neighbors
gathered for miles around to congratulate
the centenariaD, who, is spite of his age,
still remains hale and hearty, with vigor-
GUS mental powers.
This remarkable old man retains the use
of his faculties TO an unusual extent. He
hears readily, and with the aid of glasses
is able to read the daily papers and is well
informed on passing events. His interest
i'm the Spanish-American war has been in
tense, possibly from the fact of his having
lived through all the wars of this country
since the Revolutions
He still has charge of his own financial
affairs and the first of April made out the
intricate Vermont inventory tax blank,
which would perplex many younger man.
Mr.. Upham was born in Guilford, his
father being one of the first settlers, and
in 1904 the family moved to Windham to
the farm on which Mr.. Upham has since
lived. Here he has been, to use his own
words, "a farmer, town officer, an Abo-
litionist, Wing and Republican and useful
in church and state"
The celebration Tuesday was held in the
Windham church, of which he has been
an attendant and church officer for many
years. The exercises we're in the nature
of an "old folks day." with old-fashioned
music and costumes of the olden times.
An interesting feature Of the day was
loan exhibition, consisting of many
relics of great antiquity and value. Among
these were ancient books and diaries, sam
pliers, warming pans, candlesticks holding
the old-iashioned "tallo " Dip" toddy cups,
punch bowls, pictures, china and home
spun linen.
Letters of regret were read from absent
friends, and an historical address was de-
livered by Rev. o. S. Davis of Springfield.
1t was thought best for Mr.. Upham to re-
main at his home, where during the day
he received many friends.
When a young man he used to walk
| from Vermont to Boston and work at
brick-naking during the summer. He
was a member of the Charlestown COM
pany of militia, and one of the few men
living who took part in the Boston recep-
ton to Gen. Lafayette in 1924. Asked as
to his impressions of the event, Mr.. Up
ham said:
1.-THE first l saw of Lafayette he was
coming out of the state house arm-in-arm
with Gov. Brooks. The governor had a
life guard Of about 80 men. They marched
down TO the market on the common to the
centre Of the division that turned out 10
honor him. Then he mounted horse
and reviewed the troops.
after dinner the troops were put in
motion and Lafayette afterward went TO a
house on corner of Beacon street, where
he received the commissioned officers and
shook hands with them. l should think
he was about six feet tall, spare in flesh
and, contrary to the general belief now
had red hair and beard"
Mr.. Upham was present at the grea'
gathering on Stratton mountain in 1910
where Daniel Webster delivered an ad
dress to thousands of people.
Mr.. Upham graphically relates how
Webster, accompanied by Gov. HilsnC
Hall of Bennington, came from Greenfield
in coach drawn by four white horse.
with gold-plated harness. Mr.. Uphau
says that while Gov Hall was by far thu
more pleasing speaker every word DAME
Webster said meant something.