The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1905-04-20

lington. and, in fact, carried n message
from Butcher TO Wellington.
There is no doubt that Leonard
Roeder. as he is known in Quincy, is
over 100. In Europe birth records are
carefully kept At certain age all
the youth in Germany are called upon
to serve in the army, and at the time
each receives a passbook, in which the
date and the place of birth are in
scribed.
The writer has seen the passbook of
Leonard Roeder. In very fine, old
fashioned German script it sets forth
that Johann Leonard Roeder was born
at Wanderbuch (Wurttemburg) an der
Dauber. Germany, January 81, 1900.
This book served Mr.. Roeder all
through his army life and WAS stamped
at different towns and garrisons, when
ever change was made, with more re-
marks and specifications added in
script each time. His identification is
marked thus in the book: Stature,
five feet eight inches; face, oval: nose.
straight; hair. black; eyes. gray.
The last time he was called upon to
use the little book-it is primer size.
with pasteboard back. covered with
blue paper and bound on the back with
a strip of whlte-was when he emf
grated to America in 1913. People
who have lived in Quincy all their lives
say that they remember Mr.. Roeder
as an old. gray haired man thirty years
ago. He is still remarkably well pre-
served, and were it not for his total
81 CT. fnh
he would still be active. a-.l
Excepting sight, the old man is pos
sessed of every one of his senses.
Though he sits in his chair at the win
dow in repose, with hands folded in his
lap and eyes closed, he is ever alert
when spoken to. He is neat and clean
ly, with singularly clear pink and
white complexion and snow white hair.
Although his hair is little thin on top.
his head is covered as well as that of
man of ifty.
The writer found him in his rocking
chair by the window. When spoken to
he was instantly reused and color came
into his face, which filed with express
sion as his memory kindled. He speaks
but little English despite the fact that
he was well versed in it during his
earlier days, but now, living in the
past again, his mother tongue, German,
is the language quickest on his lips.
Eyes, l remember it ALL" he says,
"but it was a long time ago. Yet /
remember just as well as IL these
things had all happened yesterday. l
have lived in three centuries. but now
as sit so much and think it is Ger
many that comes back the most.
II was born in Wurttemberg. As n
young man l learned the shoemaker's
trade, but as all young men in my coun-
try were called on to serve the King
for three years my service came just
mt the time when Napoleon was fight
ing all Europe.
AT Waterloo the Lieutenant under
whom I strved was commanded by
General Butcher and it was my duty
for while to carry messages. On the
eve of the Battle of Waterloo l carried
message from General Butcher to the
Duke of Wellington, and saw Napoleon
on my return. 1t was wonderful day
and a wonderful battle. but Napoleon
didn't win. 1 was very young at the
time. but 1 remember it and often go
over it again in my mind.
Until about fifteen years ago had
some comrades who were in the same
wars. They, too, lived in Quincy, and
to America together. They are all
dead now, and l am the only one left"
The old man is always visibly grieved
in bringing up these "reminiscences. His
family say that after talking over the
old days he often becomes Respondent
for days at a time, even to refusing
his meals.
"when my comrades and came here
sixty-two years ago." said the old man,
there was no town here at ali. just a
little place. I lived a while at Pitts
field, then settled here with my wife.
L came to America in 1913.
after settling here / took up my
trade as a shoemaker, but in 1888, |
retired from active work. l was then
lightweight years old.
"When Governor John Wood of Il
linois lived in Quincy 1 knew him and
made all of his shoes. He was a big
man in this State"
"Did you ever know Abraham Lin
coln?" was asked.
The old man smiled sweetly.
"Yes, he was another big man." he
said, nodding his head slowly. Gle
came around here sometimes, yes. One
of our citizens here, Mr.. Bushnell, was
his law partner. Yes, Abraham Lin
Cfot lint m trog