The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-27
go YEARSAYOUN
George Francis Train Celebrates the
sevcn,icth Anniversary This Birth.
a u ,,1., lilo y,,,,, |sEa- .....H'

George Francis Train Celebrates the
scvcnticth Anniversary ofhis Birth.
A Remarkable mnn.
New York World: 1t was in his little
room on the top floor OF Mills Hotel No.
], that George Francis Train. citizen OF
the world, celebrated his SEVENTEEN
blrthdny Like Oliver Wendell Holmes,
he says he Is seventy years young, and
his activity shows 1t.
He talked about his strange life from
the time when as a child OF three and
half he heard the men going through
the streets of New Orleans crying ou.
"B-r-i-n-g o-u.t vou dead" That was
during the great yeiiow-fever epidemic
of 1883, and eleven members OF his
family succumbed to It.
He told how he established the great
shipping firm of Train & Co.. which
sent packages all over the world; OF his
building the Union Pacific Railway, of
his experiences In many lands and the
strange things he has done, and ended
| ap ~ dStf1fhff tH3t tib 4 CA sit ~ VI -
was just beginning.
II have been happy all my life-every
minute has been crowded fuit of fIdppi-
ness. have injured no man and have
no iil-will against any one. have had
great wealth--how much do not know.
because l always gave It away and
never cared for il. / lived at the rate Of
$4,000 4 year, but like this palace and
this little room better. l have been In
sixteen jaiis in this country. and In Eu-
| rope, and | was happy there"
In the midst OF his talk there was q
| knock at the door. A man came in with
huge floral ship that filled the whole
! room. On II was card, From 1neZ,
Vida and John"
Citizen Train stopped short and tears
+, dImmed those wonderful eyes.
'They are Mr.. Milholland's children"
he said softlY-"my children OF Madison
Square" He caressed the green ferns
tenderly.
THAT was the happ!est time OF my
llfe" he went on presently; THE fifteen
years l passed in Madison Square with
the children and never spoke to o grown
! person.
People cannot understand why I
want to live here. l think the children
know. They know that am as young
as they are. l am seventy years young.
l have filled out the time the Bible al
lots 10 man. l have as great physical
! vlgor as ever had. am as quick.
What show would Fitzsimmons stand
against me?"
He stood up and spared with the air.
The eye could scarcely follow the move
ments Of his fists,
t,at haa Il, f,-
enty years" he went on. ~ arm going to
live l50 years, II I meet with no acct
dents. 1t is not a problem. l reserve
| more than Is necessary. ! have not
tasted flesh for twenty-five years. I
have never touched liquor.
/ MY room costs twenty cents day.
My food costs twenty cents more. That
is enough for any man. Fruits, grains
| and nuts are the proper food. An orange
Is imprisoned sunshine, bottled energy
! for mans consumption. Add TO this
eight hours sleep and Tou have oil that
man needs to be happy and strong. l
am never sick. have no need OF doc
tors. NJ. D. means money down."
There was tapping OF feet. the rust
ling Of silk and a knock at the door, A
| dozen little folk from Madison Square,
with Mrs. MilhollanJ as chaperon. had
come down to celebrate Citizen Trains
birthday
Citizen Train gathered the little folk
| In his urns one by one and kissed them.
| His voice was very sweet and tender
| and he could not keep the tears back
when they shouted their congratula-
lions.
at is my happiest birthday" he said.
Can you not understand that l am
seventy years young?"