Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-16
SUFFOLK NEWS.
Something About the Oldest Man
in the United States.
Nonh Raby. of Gates County. North Caro-
lima, 1a1 Years old Sanitary Sewerage
Football Tomorrow a 'war Time
Wedding Personal.
Especial to virslnian-Pilot.)


man in the United States, perhaps in
the world. was born in Gates county,
N. c.. which adjoins Nansemond. He
is Noah Raby, 127 years of age, whose
photograph and story are printed In
to-day's New York Herald. Old man
Raby is now, and has been for many
years, an Inmate of Piscataway town
ship poorhouse. not far from Plainfield,
n. j.
London newspapers are making in
quiries concerning the earths Oldest
Inhabitants, and the Herald thinks
that the United States might hold
'em for awhile with Noah Raby.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIM.
Here are some of the statements
culled out of the Herald's story.
Raby's career is especially interesting
to people in this section:
He was born in April. 1873, in Gates
county, N. c. Though Raby Is white,
his father was an Indian, Andrew
Bass. and his mother, u white woman
native of North Carolina.
Raby now never goes TO bed, fearing
IA rush of blood to his head may prove
fatal. He is almost blind, but the
other senses are remarkably we'll pre-
served.
Raby now smokes almost constantly.
He has been smoking for 100 years,
and has loved liquor for almost the
same period. He now weighs less
than 100 pounds.
To-days Herald also tells of Mrs
Nancy Holliiield, who may be the
oldest woman. and who is now ill ut
her home two miles from Ellenboro,
n. G. She Is about III.
Raby spoke as follows to the Herald
correspondent:
Il distinctly remember my mother"
said Uncle Noah" I'VE lived In lit
tie hut built on poles, way down in
Carolina. l shall always remember
that home, for it was there that L first
learned 10 read. But l am sorry to say
/ failed TO even learn to write my own
name. When l was about years old
my mother married again and soon
after / was compelled TO shift for my
self. Later / was bound out TO n man
named Field. who owned many slaves.
Il stayed with Mr.. Field until was
Fl. when struck out for myself. / got
n job with Widow Penelope Parker
who gave me work about her place, and
she paid me $500 a year. l stayed five
years, when | left and obtained work
with her daughterin-law Sarah Park
err"
Here Uncle Noah" stopped and APP
peared to reflect. He shifted uneasily
in his chair and rocked for few mo
ments Then he frightened up ana
continued:
II was in love once. Yes, l fell in
love with Miss Parker. but | was too
baShiul to press my suit and | lost her
| thought maybe could marry her and
have the big plantation with all the
slaves. She was the prettiest woman
ever saw. At the time felt very bad.
but since I have been glad L didn't pop
the question.
IL never told her until 1t was too late.
One day my half brother came to me
and noticing that something was
wrong, advised me to take a sea voy-
age. Without waiting to collect my
wages or bidding any one good by.
shipped to sea and was gone several
months.
when I got back TO North Carolina
called to see Miss Parker. She asked
me why had left so suddenly without
my pay, and after some hesitation
confessed that it was because / had
been in love with her. What do you
think she said? Noah, faint heart
never won fair LADY,
BUT IT WAS THEN TOO LATE"
But it was then too late. She had
married her new overseer two weeks
before my return. Perhaps I Wouldn't
nave llVed so long had | married."
He referred to the recent election.
but said he had not voted, because he
had not been able to pay the poll tax.
He belonged to the Jacksonian Demo
cracy. and had voted that ticket ever
since the organization of the Demo-
cratic party. Being unable to read. he
had not kept posted in late years, and
had taken little interest III political af-
fairs.
81 ought to know something about
politics. though, for ! am older than
Yn lT.I11 fts.t.s liz. .tstx
either" said the old man, renectively.
as he knocked the ashes from his pipe.
NO. We nothing to complain OF"
concluded Uncle Noah. Il have had
plenty 10 eat all my life and have en-
joyed myself as well as most men. NV
health has been all | could expect. ]
am never seriously ill. and hope to live
several years yet. am looking for
ward with pleasure to my l2Sth birth
day on the list OF next April"
On the old mans birthday the Pisca-
taway poor farm Is the objective point
for the country folk. who drive many
miles to Offer congratulations 10 'thc
oldest man in the world"
ENGINEER SMITH.
Van Hite Smith arrived in Suffolk
this evening. 1t is he whom the Coun-
Gil employed 70 make preliminary sur
veys preparatory TO putting in n sys-
tenn of sanitary average.
FOOTBALL FRIDAY.
The Suffolk High School Football
Team, Walter Dean, captain. say they
viii play game tomorrow afternoon
for sure with the Rramhletons, of Nor
folk. They say this game wil not fan
OF contamination. y telegram came
to-day from Captain Beasley. of the
Biambletons, declaring they would
leave Norfolk on the 2:20 train. The
The game viii be called about S:l5
O'Clock at Peanut Park. Everybody is
invited.
up r1I,rn1aS ~, pr p,1r,