The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-21

Work as the key to long life. is the phil
osophy by which John Clemens. 81 years cid.
who claims TO be the Oldest man IN St.
Still hale and hearty, he is the exponent of
work and activity for the promotion Of
health and strength.
Living with his daughter, Mrs. w. H.
Summers, who is Ga years old. Mr.. Clemens
can be seen almost any day working about
the garden or the house Of his home. No.
1876 South Eighteenth street.
He is always occupied with something that
requires the action of his muscles and the
activity Of his brain.
WORK BRINGS HEALTH.
APPETITE AND SLEEP.
with his pipe in his mouth. for Mr.. Glenn
ems is an inveterate smoker. he walks about
the neighborhood and enjoys talking with
the neighbors. or wandering through Lafay-
cite Park, which Is several squares distant
from his home.
Il enjoy good health and lead a pleasant
life" said Mr.. Clemens. and am ready to
die when the time comes
How do 1 explain my age? Why. work
| makes health, and / have always worked.
! right kind of an appetite. Work enables me
| to sleep as a man should sleep. In restfui
manner.
"Of course. cannot work as hard as !
once did. but keep myself occupied WIN
| something that gives me exercise. and and !
| that needs fixing about the house. or per
! haps do what l can to keep the garden IN
shape.
| when feel hungry and whatever suits m!
| fancy. Although l have never been wnat
could be called drinking man. when l 1sel
| like 1t take drink Of beer or wine. and
| believe drink in moderation is not 1n1u-
| rious"
MI. C1smens's history bears out the sire; siren
started to follow the sea.
After hardships on the ocean and the mis-.
| sissippi he retired in 1876. but even then he
| did not allow himself to become inactive
| 1T became q rigger and sail filter. and
business. But 1 have always believed in
! manual labor and my garden and my home
| have given me plenty Of work.
USED TOBACCO
ALL HIS LIFE.
IT have used tobacco, both for smoking
| and chewing, all my life. / cannot say that
it has in any way been responsible for my
/ long life, but am sure that 1 have never
| received any evil effects from the use of
| it. / do not believe that cigarettes are
healthy. however, and ! do not use them:
| his pipe during the day, and at night he
| often rises from his bed. and. sitting by
| the window. draws soiace from the rusty ai
| though he has ceased to make regular
MT. Clemens was born aboard ship, bound
| from France to the Island of ST. Bartholo-
f; new. in the West Indian Islands. on June
| I, 1906 His father, who had been associated
sESKsd in dsd AFTER
| FOLLOWED THE SEA
THIRTY-oNE YEARS.
MY father had been sailor, and from
| him I inherited the love for the sea that at
length prompted me to take position as
| cabin boy, much against my mothers will.
| MY early experiences were full OF trag-
| edy for the ship was wrecked in the Car
| ib6ean Sea, and a sailor and myself were
| the only survivors out Of crew of thirty.
| The seventeen days that we were upon the
death drew lots to decide who would pro-
| vide food for the others, and / only es-
capped by climbing the rigging out Of the
"My companion and I were rescued by
! the Spaniards. who sent US to San Domin-
90. Being under the charge Of the French
| Consul. 1t was arranged that 1 should be
taken to France. 1 escaped from the French
| boat and, swimming mile, was slowed
away by the crew Of an American schoon-
| THE captain of the ship took me in
| charge and lived several years with him.
At length. returned TO San Domingo and
Shipped as ' an apprentice in the American i
Il
"Do you see that scar on my arm? Well
| that was obtained in the service of Uncle
! Sam, when / was on the frigate Hudson
during the rebellion of Dom Pedro in Bra
4, zil. We we're there to protect American in
f; terests.
| DRIVEN AWAY FROM
ST. LOUIS BY INDIANS.
| After serving six years in the navy, ]
was mustered out at Boston. and. taking
passage for New Orleans. reshipped from
that point and made several voyages to
| Havre, France. Returning in 1892 to New
| Orleans, / married Miss Catherine Doerr
| who died in 1888.
| 81 came to st. Louis before the end OF
| that year and bought a place below Jeffer-
| son Barracks where the Quarantine Sta
| ton is situated. The land was formerly
| owned by Joseph Robidoux. the founder OF
| st. Joseph. Mo.
1.-THE next year the Black Hawk Wal
| rendered my home unsafe for me to keeI
| my wife. The Indians were thick about
| US. and decided that we must get away
| Coming to st. Louis. served on the Mis-
| sissippi in every position from deck hant
to captain for thirteen years.
In 1916 went into business for myself
| The firm developed into one of the larges
| "Old Rock Building" at the foot of Chest
| nut street. was the first warehouse 1 occu
pied. During the Mexican and Civil war.
filled large contracts for the Govern
ment
Although was able to accumulate
fortune Of 100000. was forced into bank