Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-05
Is THE only ONE LEFT
FORBES, SON OF A SOLDIER IN THE
REVOLUTION.
Has Always Used Tobacco and Whisky
and is in the Best Of
Health.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
RICHMOND, December 5.-W. w Forbes
son of the late Alexander Forbes. who was
wounded at the battle Of Guilford Court
House. is in Richmond to serve on the
United States circuit court jury. He Is
thought to be the only living son Of an
American revolutionary soldier.
Mr.. Forbes celebrated the eighty sixth
anniversary of his birth Thanksgiving day
and starts on another year as frisky as a
colt. He is in splendid health and spirits
and says that he attributes his excellent
mental and physical condition to the dis
covery of mountain whisky over sixty years
ago.
Mr.. Forbes was member of the Virginia
legislature in 1S4s. 1919 and 1850 and was
also a member of the secession convention,
voting for secession.
Stanch Supporter Of Randolph.
His father eniisted with command under
Colonel Nicholas of Buckingham county,
when he was sixteen years old. His pension
papers now on file in the War Department
show that he did not want the pension for
himself, but for two neighbors who needed
1t and to whom it went
The elder FORBES was a stanch supporter
and friend OF John Randolph. His son re-
calls the great Vlrglnian distinctly. Ran
doiph was the only man in Buckingham
who drove in a coach and four. He recalls
Mr.. Randolph asking his father If he was
his grandchild.
MY youngest" said the father
Youngest SOM" gasped Mr. Randolph.
Of the Second Crop"
Second crop" answered the father who
was then far beyond sixty and had his Sec
ond wife.
The present Forbes was born when his
father had passed the half century mark
by number of years.
When 1 was boy of twenty" said Mr.
Forbes yesterday, II didn't know that I
had so many years before me and would
have compromised on reaching thirty.
was so lean that my tailor had to pad my
trousers. Then l accidentally tasted some
mountain liquor and here l am
Always Used Tobacco and Whisky.
Mr.. Forbes has always used tobacco and
whisky, but has never shown the evil eff
fects of drink. and has never been known
to have been drunk by the very Oldest boys
of Buckingham. He was smoking short
stemmed Powhatan yesterday and had had
his mid day toddy.
He was the picture of health and strength
full of good nature. as bright of wit as
any youngSter and calling himself a walt
of the old times he told stories of the
great statesmen who are now only monu-
ments of bronze and marble.
Recalls Great Poker Game.
He played a number of card games with
Henry Clay and knew him we'll He re-
members the great brag game of poker be-
tween Gen. Jackson and Clay in Washing
ton, when both men held bullets and bragg
gers" equal and highest hands, with the
man who held the ante having the decision
in such unusual conditions. Thirteen thou
sand dollars changed hands.
In Buckingham Mr.. Forbes is the idol OF
all the people. and he3enjoys having their
affection. He has retired from politics.
however, as we'll as from business, and
spends most of his time with his son-in-
law, State Senator Watkins, at Farmyille.
Meeting one Of his nephe VS. here yester-
day. and being embraced by him. he was
astounded to hear that that boy" as he
called him, was grandfather.
Moderation His Motto.
Mr.. Forbes has had for his motto in life
moderation in business and in pleasure. 1t
seems to have paid him WE'LL He has al
ways been busy man, he says, but has
never neglected to enjoy himself with his
friends.
Some of the old-timers Mr.. Forbes is now
chatting with he considers mere striplings-
youths OF sixty and sixty-five.