The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-15
wiohita,s YOUNGEST Old Man.

The youngest old man in Wichita is one
who has not drank liquor, smoked or
chewed tobacco. gone to night dances,
played cards or fought a fist fight in
over sixty years And yet. in his youth,
he did them all. The Methodist church
has done a good service for Mr.. B. W.
deacon Smith. in so preserving him that
at s., he does not seem TO be a day more
than sixty. In health and wealth he is
unquestiona bly, the best equipped octogen-
arian in Wichita, if not in the state.
He was stepping into the buggy like a
young fellow of %. in front of the Eagle
Office Thursday when a reporter for the
Eagle approached him for an item. One
word brought on another until the sub
jeet of the secret OF health came up.
II am a strong man at So" said Mr.
Smith because have been hard
worker. a good eater and good sleeper
all my life
And temperate" suggested the repor-
ter.
We'll, yes, practically all my life"
Did you ever taste intoxicating
hquors?"
Why. bless you. yes. became al
most found of liquor in my youth. I
never had a strong appetite for it, but J.
came very near it I believe. I was born
in Kentucky and in those old days liquor
was within the reach OF everybody.
Yes. I smoked too. When 1 was a
boy like other boys. I suppose 1 used to
think the man who walked about town
with a cigar in his mouth was a hero
and I decided to be one too. was pref
f,,,%
in chewing form it upset me and I aban-
doned it after the first trial. 1t made
me awful sick"
Cards? l played them. At first we
played for fun. but after awhile I played
for money and + remember having stayed
up some nights till morning at them"
What games were played at cards in
your YOUTH"
"Seven-up was the popular game in our
section in those days. I didn't know
much about other games"
Fist fighting was very common sixty
odd years ago. have seen as many as
100 men throwing off their coats for a
fight Nearly every Saturday people set
tied old scores with their fists; now they
do it more quickly and deadly.
THE boys Of today do not know what
work Is When ] was a hoy we were in
the cornfield when we had TO search in
the dark for the ears. and before we went
10 the field we had fed the stock and
done other chores. 1t was generally dark
when We returned and then We had to
feed stock and do other chores after sup
pcr. This made us eat heartily and sleep
well and gave US health which was per-
nanent if we did not abuse it. Just as
became a man I joined the church and.
discarded all my bad habits and ever
since then ] have really enjoyed life L
have seen but little sickness for ] have
taken care Of myself. II had continued
going 10 night dances I do not believe I
would have survived ny fftieth year.
THAT habit is. to my mind. one of the
worst so far as physical health is con-
oerned1
"Can You sleep wen now2"
II scarcely ever wake up after 7 go to
Bad until I have my eight hours sleep.
ihink 7 am the soundest sleeper in the
state Of Kansas.
What advice would YOU give young
men who desire 10 live to ripe old age
and be hapny2
Il would ten them TO be regular and
temnerate in their habits and TO work
hard enough TO make them sleep and eat
well 4 life wen spent VIII make every
nan happy m his old age.