Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-10-14
NAMES OLDEST WOMAN.
AUNT SALOME SELLERS, OF
SUNSET, DEER ISLE.
BORN OCT. Is, 1S00-LooKs MUCH
YOUNGER THAN SHE Is-oF RE-
MARKABLE VITALITY.

MARKABLE VITALITY.
DEER ISLE, Oct. 10 Especially Your corre-
spondent has just returned from visit to
Aunt Salome Sellers, who will be 1903 years
old next Thursday. She made this visit
just before her, birthday, so as to emf ~ a
little chat with her, as SO many call on
her birthday that she cannot give much
time to each.
On this occasion she was, as usua
busily engaged with her knitting, and
was pleased to receive a call from friend
whom she had known from infancy, as
well as her parents before her.
She looks az fresh as she did several
years ago, and il always cheerful, with all
her faculties preserved to remarkable
degree. She looks as young as most
people Of seventy five. During her con-
versation allusion was made to the
great changes which had taken place
during her life. She can remember when
there were no railroads, no steamers, no
stoves, no matches, and none OF the
thousands of useful inventions which
now are 80 common that people do not
think of the time when they did not
exist.
REMEMBERS WAR OF 1912.
She remembers many incidents of the
war OF 1912, mentioning one in particular,
the capture OF British trading vessel By
an American privateer in Smal's cove,
near her present home. One Of the men
belonging to the privateer got separated
from the rest OF the crew during the
skirmish and got lost, and after wandering
about all night he came out at her fat hers
house, several miles from his starting
point.
He was given some breakfast, and d.
rected on his way, but before he reached
his destination the vessel had left, and he
was obliged to get some one to take him
across the bay In boat, after which he
joined his companions.
No trading with the British WAS
allowed, but she said goods were often
struggled back and forth and sometimes
these were hidden in the neig borhood OF
her fathers house.
Mrs. Sellers has lived under nearly al
the Presidents. In Jackson's time when
the surplus money was distributed, she
took her share and bought pair OF brass
candlesticks which ornament the mantel.
piece in her room now. Her husband
invested his in some cart heels, which
were In use until a few years ago.
FAMOUS SPINNER.
She used to be famous spinner, and
people who wanted extra nice yarn sent
to her from all parts Of the town for it..
She spoke OF the wayshe used to manu-
facture it. She selected the finest lambs
wool, carded it by hand with cotton cards,
and spun it on the flax wheel, and she said
a skein of the finest weighed just an
ounce. Rsmem Der, that this was doub led
and twisted, and skein contained seven
knots of twenty threads each, two yards
long, $50 yards to the ounce. Your cor
respondent has seen her many time
sitting at her wheel spinning this yarn as
smooth as silk.
She says: "Isn't it wonderful that /
have lived so long, and that people are SO
good to me?"
She has a pleasant memory OF visit
from Mr.. Titus, formerly Of THE AMERI-
CAN, and sends kindly greetings to him
and to the present. editor.
RECEIVES MANY VISITORS.
At the beginning Of this year she had
book for visitors to register their names
in, and it now has $50 names. She has
letters and remembrance from all over
the country, as she is a great favorite Of
all the summer people, who often send her
tokens of their regard, especially on her
birthday.
Plans are made for the present anniver-
sary as usual, the "Marthas" to meet
with her and have picnic dinner, while
friends from all about make calls. She is
the oldest member of the Martha Wash
ington society, and Mrs. Hannah Lufkin
is the youngest of the original members,
few OF whom are now living. The society
was organized over sixty years ago, and is
still STAT and fourishing".
Mrs. Sellers knits wash cloths which
are largely purchased as souvenirs, and