The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-11
HAS OLDEST ODD FELLOW.
Indian Territory Has interesting Cit
zen in w. T. Payne.

lBot2H cffilCfy TtdS bSiSStiiS III
izen in w. 7. Payne.
8enryetta, /. T., May 10.-It is strange
but a fact nevertheless, that the oldest
odd Fellow in the world lives in the Cher
okee Nation, at a little village called
Alluwee. not far FROM Vinita, and his
name = ". T. Payne. He is an English
man and was born in 1895. in Bucklin-St.
Mary, Somerset Shire, England, not far
from London. Mr.. Payne is 81 years old,
but does not lock to be over So or g.; is
erect and straight as an arrow, hearty
and vigorous. His eyes are not dimmed
or his memory impaired or mis- step IN
steady He is an intelligent CONVERSE
tionalist and is a good musician. playing
well on several different instruments, al
though the violin is his favorite. He
joined the Odd Fellows CO years ago in the
city of New York and later he joined the
Nasons. The manner in which his old
standing as an odd Fellow came about
was this: The Odd Fellows in and about
/ Chelsea, / T, wished to organize lodge,
they tried and failed. thereupon they sent
for Mr.. Payne and he and Deputy Grand
Master Afinshan of Vinita instituted the
lodge successfully. Upon signing the rec
ords Deputy 8Iinshall remarked that Mr..
PAYNE must have made a mistake in Civ
ing his ace. but when assured that he had
not he was satisfied that Mr.. Payne was
the Oldest odd Fellow in the world. His
! Investigation afterward proved TO be true.
aIr. Payne was well acquainted with
/ Horace Grcely and was intimately asso-
ciated with him in several labor meetings
although he differed with him in politics.
! Payne being a radical democrat When
! seen some time ago he talked interesting
! w of the Louisiana purchase discussion,
and of the launching of the great eastern.
He was in active business at the time the
first railroad train ran between London
and Exeter and explained what an excite
nent there was at the time, and says he
has laughed many times when he remem-
( bers the rush of the people TO get out OF
/ the way Of the iron horse as it came
( around a curve-they thought it was CON-
ing straight for thems He lived long be-
! fore telegraph or steam printing presses
! were thought of, and he tells some anus
ing stories about them all. Notwithstand-
ing his age re served three years in the
confederate service and did rough service
at that
When asked how long he expected tc
live. he laughingiy said: If I always fee
as ] now feel. I viii live forever.
Mr.. Payne says his wife is a young wo-
rnan-SO years younger than himself
which means that she has cen sixty-siH
I summers. lie accounts for mis- youthful
appearance TO the fact that he never
worried and always associated himself
with younger people than himself. He
has used tobacco all his life, an account
Of which he may not live to be over 15
years old.
Mr.. Payne is a most remarkable man,
having full power of his speech. He has
been asked to take the lecture field. but
ne says no money could hire him to d.
such a thing. preforring to live as he hal
for many years. quiet farmer. He takes
an active part in politics and public AT
fairs. however. and is able 10 discuss an
ordinary subject with interest and precis
ion and his word is as good as his not
among his nciehbOrs.