The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-02-20

Excellent t1ealth-One of Them Now
Residing in Atlanta. Which Place
Also Claims the Distinction of Being
the Home OF the Youngest Tripiets-
The Gibbs Brothers and the Barbei
Babies.
Coz don Noel Hurtel in Atlanta Constitu
ton.
1t is a most remarkable story and
doubtless the only one OF the kind
that can be recorded in the world to-
day, that three men 20 years OF age.
brothers and triplets, should be liv-
ing is certainly a wonderful occur
renee, and yet, it is fact, and one oil
the triplets is living in Atlanta. They
can be put down, without any danger
of competition, rs the oldest triplets
now living.
These three brothers, who started
life together from the cradle, and
have lived until they have almost
reached the allotted three score years
and ten, are William W. Gibbs, OF
Atlanta; Thomas l.. Gibbs and Robert
NJ. Gibbs, of Wilkes county, North
Carolina.
They came into the world together
in 1888, were reared together as boys
on the old North Carolina farm,
fought together in the war for the
freedom of the South, and all three
are now living, hearty and well, with
the prospect of being many more
years together in this world.
Triplets are rare; for all three to bs
boys is also rare: but it is something
almost never heard Of for all three tC
survive war and then 90 on living
until they have reached a ripe old
age.
AS the probable only case OF the
kind on record in the world. the story
of these wonderful triplets is one
worthy of being recorded in the an
nails of remarkable life incidents.
And, then, to think that Atlanta
the city that sets upon hill anc
whose light is never hid, possesse:
one Of these triplets. All three have
been here, the two brothers from
North Carolina having visited Atlant.
! during the exposition, and they a!
three took part in the memorable
sham battle which made one Of the at
fractions of the big show.
On May 2, 1888, at Wilkesboro
n. c., Mrs. Thomas Gibbs gave brit
to three fine boys. Their father was
Thomas. a prominent farmer. sn'
WAS born at Petersburg, Va. Thoms'
Gibbs died a young man. being onl
80 years of age when he passed away
His three little sons were at tha
time only years old. Mrs. Gibb'
was Miss Margaret Smith before he
marriage She was born in Davi'
county, North Carolina, and was edu
Gated at Salem.
The three little boys were educated
| bv their mother and her early train
ing made them upright and goot
| men.
When the call came for the men o
the South to arm themselves to defent
their native land, the three brother:
enlisted in the Southern army. vii
liam w. Gibbs went with Hampton.
legion and he was afterwards with The
| Second South Carolina cavalry will
General Hampton as commander o
the legion, and General Nj. G. Butle
as colonel of the regiment. MIR. Glib
was in the battle of the Seven Pines
of the Wilderness, of Gettysburg
Fort Fisher and many others.
Robert NJ. Gibbs fought with Bar
ber's regiment of North Carolina
with A. z. Hill as commander. FL,
was slightly wounded at the battle 0
Charlottesville.
Thomas l.. Gibbs was in service
with home regiment in North Caro-
lima.
William Gibbs married Miss Dick
sou, of Atlanta. and he is the father
Of eight children.
Thomas Gibbs married Miss Howell
OF Wilkes COUNT, North Carolina, ant
he has six children.
Robert Gibbs married Miss Carlton
OF Wilkes county, North Carolina, ant
be has two children.
On their next birthday the triplet
will be 20 years of age. They ar
large men, of well-knit frames ant
have always been robust and healthy
They closely resemble each other an
only those who know them well can a
first tell them apart.
William Gibbs has lived in Atlant
thirty-seven years and is considered
as one Of the landmarks Of the city
His home is at No. 113 Rawson street
where he has happy and contente'
family. He is a contractor and ha
planned and built many of the bes
homes in the city.
Now and then the three brother
hold family reunion. either William
Gibbs going to North Carolina or tn
other two brothers coming to Atlanta
They are devoted to each other an
are never happier than when together
The tri plets with such a wonderfu
life history will probably spend thsi
next and SEVENTEEN birthday in Al
lanta, where they may be seen tc
gether, the only three Of the kind tina
the world probably knows of today.
A few days after the article abov
was published the following also az
peared in the Constitution:
Moses BARRIERS triplets, three lin
healthy boys, are entered in contes
for the three youngest male triplet
in the world. All entries must b
three males and all exactly alike an