The Portland daily press., 1899-11-20

Yesterday was the ninstieth pirthdav
Of Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas Varnun. and
during the afternoon and evening q great
many Of hsr friends called upon her at
her home ON Brsoksss street.
Mrs. varnum was born In this century
in the house occupied by her parents
where Lincoln park now 10. Her father
was ELIAS Thomas, and her mother was
Elizabeth widgery. All Of her earlier
years were passed In the old Thomas
homestead, 30 we'll rsmsm bersd BY the
older people Of Portland. 1t stood where
the Church Of the Messiah now Is at the
corner Of Congrsss and India street.
This house was destroyed BY the gr eat
fire Of 1855 which swept away many OF
tbs finest rssidsnees In tnat part Of ths
town, and sent the older families 10 seek
ing new homes In the western part OF the
city. Mira varnum 10 . sister Of Aiss
Charlotte Thomas and Of Mr.. George A.
Thomas. william W. Thomas AMI Ed
ward II. Thomas were also her brothers
II seems hardly creditabls that this
bright and vivaoious old lady has reached
the age Of 90 ysars Never . day passes
but she spends q half hour at the plano.
and the years have not robbed her Of her
cslicats touon on the keys Of this inssru-
ment or interfsred In the least with her
execution. Last evening she delighted
her callers by playing upon the piano ON
which she has been performer for many
years. Indeed Mrs. Varnum owned one
OF the first piAnofortes ever brought to
Portland. II wss made In London and
was brought to this oiy and given to her
when she was vary young lady. 1t
seems somewhat clumsy now. but In the
old days 1t was considered perfsct In
strument. Mrs. Vaynum comes from
family Of musicians. Her brothers and
sistsrs have for many years been the pa
irons Of all things musical in this city
and many struggling musician has re-
oeived his first encouragement and help
ut their hands.
Mrs, varnum is also great reader and
ner eye sight 10 so perfect that shs does
not rsQuirs the aid of spsotacles to enable
her to enjoy the books which have been
her life long companion. when am
tired Of reading, for enc docs become
weary Of this after awhile, you know. l
employ myself and rest my eyes BY doing
some embroidery work." Mrs. Varnum
said yesterday. Some OF her latest work
was exhibited to hsr friends last evsning
and they found that IL was Of very beau
tiful design and perfectly executed.
Mrs. varnum Is a. charming today In
conversation as she must have been half
a century ago and far more interesting
to talk with than many persons Of half
her age. She has not lost her interest
In the things which are going on in the
world and discusses them iutsliigsntly
and entertainingly. She is very fond OF
the society of young people and has .
great many friends among them who en-
Joy her society.
Her memory IL sxoeedingly vivid and
che remembers namss and people perfect
ly. It 10 very Interesting to hear hsr tell
Of ths old days in Portland, Of the social
gayeties and .she customs OF those times.
When she speaks Of the old mansions
which the big fire swept away, Of the
beautiful elm arched streets which won
for Portland the name Of the Forest
City, Of men and women who have long
since been forgotten. but who were then
the centre Of the business, social and lit
erary worlds In Portland, 1t Is like turn
ing back the flight of years and peeping
into another world.
4 Mrs. Varnuu was little girl when
Lafayette visited Portland. when he
came here to see the country he had aided
in its struggle with Great Britain. She
was introduced 10 the oourtiy French
noblsman and shook hands with him, but
she says that 1t was 90 very long ago and
she was ruch q little girl that shs does
not remember very much about 1t. She
does recall the school children who "a
radsd before the friend OF Washington.
all dressed In white, because 1t was
scene which impressed itself upon hsr
memory.
Mrs varnum Is still young In spirit and
delights In the oalls Of her friends. Last
evening she received many Of them be-
sides her own relatives and 10 goes with
out saying that she enjoyed to the utmost
the music with which tbs evening was
passed.