Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-01
SECRET OF A LONG LIFE
Hale George Brakeman Tells
How He Became a Centenarian.
DOES NOT BELIEVE IN MEDICINES.

of HIS Birth Mt Derby, Conn.
"Mr. Brakeman, how ever did you do
it?"
WELL replied Derby's Grand Old
Man." standing on the porch of his
beautiful home, I've just lived natu-
raIIike, as God intended men should
live, and / reckon that's the way to
keep on living forever"
George Brakeman is the idol of the
New Haven country for miles around.
In Derby, Conn, he was born, Oct. 10,
17SS; in Derby he Will probably die,
| though the prospect for the latter
event is in no way threatening. Tall,
straight, handsome, with scarcely 4
crease on the clear cut features framed
in white hair and beard; active in ev-
cry mental and physical qualification,
quick OF wit and limb. Mr.. Brakeman
at 100 years of age is Il splendid exam
pie of what 4 constitution will do for a
human being if it is only given half a
chance. The other day Derby shut up
shop and took a holiday, even to the
public schools and bank, in honor OF
the man who. starting in life a penni-
less country lad, through his own eff
fort became wealthy merchant and
founder of institutions.
THE fountain of perpetual YOUTH
said Mr.. Brakeman to 4 correspondent
Of the New York World while seated
in his favorite spot on the back veran-
da, overlooking Derby. lis not a myth.
1t is reality. 1t comes to every life,
for it is the symbol of life, and out of
II m nf
mon sense, reason, judgment and tenn
perance in all things. Every man has
the chance TO make his life what he
will. when he will and to last as long
as he will. Natural causes produce
natural results. We can't eat our pie
and have it too. We can't make n bon
fire of our vitality in youth and expect
it to burn just as brightly in old age,
with no fuel left TO feed upon. The
slow fire last longest. Not that my
life has been a particularly slow one,
however. l have enjoyed all things,
but within reason. / have surveyed
the ground. marked out the limits and
lived within them. Each of us must
have his own experiences. l had TO
have mine.
since l was 81 years old not one
ed my lips. Year by year l have be-
come stronger and heartier. l am con-
WINGED that the use of medicines is a
great drawback to a long life or n
strong one"
But if You We're seriously ill.,"
81 have been. Not long ago, some 20
or 30 years. had pneumonia. and sew
craI years later 4 bad rcmittent fever.
My wife had all the doctors in Derby
assembled around me writing prescrip-
tions. / took no medicine, however.
When l became bit delirious. | felt it
coming, and l made my wife promise
that no medicine should be administer
ed. Well, il wasn't. and here l am.
One doctor had Il habit of saying. Just
little tonic, little whisky and qui-
nine But l didn't drink when l was
well, and l would not drink when |
was sick"
Then you don't approve of liquor:"
"NO'' very decidedly. From princi-
ple:" We'll. no; from lack of a good
excuse. What is there in the liquor
habit? It's unpleasant to the taste, I'M
pleasant in its effect. injurious to the
system. What has the drunkard TO
show for his money? Not even Il good
time, for how can n man look back TO
a good time when he forGets what hap
pened:"
Have you experimental? NO, not
personally. l was willing to CLEAN that
much Information 10y way OF the old
precept 10 try it on dog There were
many who seemed willing enough TO
constitute themselves pitiable exam
pies of liquors poor results"
Lasting results. do you mean, or the
sort that pass away with the follow
ing morning." Il mean lasting re-
Suits said Mr.. Brakeman earnestly;
results that never pass away. not
even with the life that caused them.
For the others the tippler has infiu-
enced live on. and to his progeny he
leaves heritage of poverty and a
tendency 10 incline to his weakness.
There is no part of a mans life-social.
financial. physical. moral. ornamental
which is not impaired by the use OF
liquors.
"In moderation? Well. i suppose
more or less cause produces more or
less effect. but it's only matter OF de-
gree. No. not for illness, nor as n slim
ulant. l don't believe in stimulants.
The reaction is twice as intense as the
temporary tonic. Tea and coffee are
stimulants. / never touch them. /
haven't for more than 40 years They
affect the nerves. and so does smok
ing Then you don't smoker mo.
Like all boys. l tried il, and. like all
boys. too. didn't like IL The custom
airy illness after the first cigar is not
inspiring There isn't bit of use cul-
tivating a habit that can only hurt and
curtail the length and usefulness of
ones life"
''In short. Mr.. Brakeman. TO become
a centenarian il is necessary 10 be an
all around model man. Well" was
the thoughtful response, II don't know
$500, s,,,o1