Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-11-03
SECRET OF A LONG LIFE
Hale George Brakeman Tells
How He Became Z Centcnarian.
DOES hot BELIEVE III MEDICINES.

Temperate In All Things, an Ah-
stniner From StimuInnts, Activity
His Only Tonic, He Recently CcIe-
brated the Hundredtb AnniversR-y
of His Firth at Derby, Conn.
mir Brakeman, how ever did you do
itT
We'll" replied Derby's Grand Old
Man" standing on the porch of his
beautiful home, I've just lived natu-
raliike, us 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,
1TsS; in Derby he VIII probably die,
though the prospect for the latter
event is in no way threatening. Tall,
straight, handsome. with scarcely a
crease on the clear cut features framed
| In white hair and beard; active in cy-
cry mental and physical qualification,
quick of wit and limb. Mr.. Brakeman
at 100 years of age is splendid exam
pie of what Il constitution will do for Il
! human being If it Is only given half
| chance. The other day Derby shut up
| shop and took a holiday, even to the
| public schools and hnnk, in honor Of
the man who, starting in life II penni-
less country lad, through his own er-
fort became a wealthy merchant and
/ founder of Institutions.
The fountain of perpetual youth"
! said Mr.. Brakeman to a correspondent
| Of the New York World while seated
| In his faYoritc spot on the back veran-
| da. overlooking Derby. ''is not a myth.
/ 1t Ia n reality. 1t comes to every life,
| for II Is the symbol of life. and out of
| Its depths spring the waters Of COM
! mon sense. reason, Judgment and tenn
pcrance in all things. Every man has
| the chance to make his life what he
will, when he will and TO last rs long
as he will. Natural causes produce
/ natural results. We cant eat our pie
! and have It too. We can't make bon
! fire of our vitality In youth and expect
II TO burn Just as brightly in old age,
with no fuel lpft to feed upon. The
slow fire last longest. Not that my
| life has been particularly slow one.
however. | have enjoyed all things,
| but within reason. | have surveyed
the ground. marked ont the limits and
| ~ =
have his own experiences. had to
have mine.
"S!ncc was Il years old not one
drop of medicine Of any sort has pass
ed my lips. Year by year | have be-
come stronger and heartier. am con-
vinccd that the use Of medicines is n
great drawback to a long life or n
! strong one"
"But If you were seriously M"
IL have been. Not long ago, some 20
or 30 years. had pneumonia. and scv-
eral years later n Ind remittent fever
My wife had all the doctors in Derby
assembled around me writing prcscrip-
tiOns | took no medicine, however
! When became bit delir!ous. | felt il
coming, and made my wife promise
that no medicine should be administer
cd. Well, 1t wasn't. and here ! am.
One doctor had habit Of saying. lust
little tonic. little whisky and Qui-
nine But didn't drink when | was
well, md would not drink when
was sick"
Then you don't approve Of liquorT'
"No" (very decidedly. From princi-
ple?' We'll, no; from lack of n good
excuse What Is there In the liquor
habit? It's unpleasant to the taste, un-
pleasant In its effect, Injurious to the
system. What has the drunkard to
show for his money? Not even good
time. for how can a man look back to
a good time when he forgets what hap
pcned?"
"IIave you experimental" "No. not
personally. was willing to CLEAN that
much information by way OF the old
prccept to try 1t on Il dog There were
many who seemed willing enough TO
constitute themselves pitlable 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
"rcsults TINT never pass away. not
even with the life that caused them.
For the others the tippler has intlu-
enced live on, and to his progeny ne
leaves heritage of poverty and a
tendency to incline TO his weakness
There Is no part Of mans life-social
financial, physical, moral, ornamental
which is not impaired by the use OF
liquors.
In moderation? Well suppose
more or less cause produces more or
less effect, but It's only a matter Of de-
gree. No, not for illness, nor ns stIh.
ulaDt. don't believe In stimulants
The reaction Is twice MS intense ns tho
temporary tonic. Tea and coffee nlS
stimulaEts. | never touch them.
haven't for more than Is years. They
affect the nerves, and so does smok
ing" Then you don't smoker mo
Like al boys. tried it, and, like al
boys, too, didn't like it. The custom
ary Illness after the first cigar is moi
inspiring. There isn't n hit Of use cul
tivnting haGit that can only hurt ant
curtaJ the length and usefulness OF
ones life"
lin short, liy. Brakeman. to become
centenhrNn II Is necessary to be NJ
al around model man?" We'll" wa:
the thoughtful response. II don't know
1nst what yon Imply by the term mod
sl,' bnt II You mean prude, let u
hope he wouldn't live to become u cen
tenariAn.
I'm just 100, ana ] don't think Ie
many chances for good time pass III,