Evening journal., 1905-12-20
SMOKES And IS
HEALTHY AT 100
Peter Pinnkett, Centenarian,
Talks of Time When Stars
Fell Like HaiIStOneS
THOUGHT WORLD AT AN END

by far the most interesting person in
Wilmington today is ePter rmkett, col-
ored. who is celebrating the iOO,h annlver-
sary OF his birth, exclusive announce
mcnt Of which was made in the Evening
Journal of Yesterday. Mr. Pmkett has
memory that is but a little short Of mar
velous.
Peter makes his home at the Sarah Ann
White Home, No. S22 French street, which
Is devoted 20 the care of old colored peo-
pie. lie was born on December rs, 1895. IN
Talbot county Md where he lived during
the early years Of his life Born in
slavery he was owned boy James Denny,
who with his brother John, operated a
large farm in that section. When Peter
was three years old the Dennys moved
into MuIderkill hundred. Delaware, taking
him with them. AT the age of twenty-one
he was given his freedom by his "mars-
ter although De was valued highly on
account of his faithful work and cxem-
plary habits.
he eurnod the trade of a blacksmith
while in Maryland and came TO Whining
ton m 1862 and lived la West Second street
on The site whore the White Horse Hotel
now stands
For "a number of years ho was engaged
in shocing horses and afterwards bought
"a property in Seventh avenue where he
carried on business for forty years. Sew
eral years ago hc gave up business and
went 10 live with his son Robert pinkctt
at Thirteenth and Popular streets from
whence ho moved TO the home.
Peter recalls the total eclipse of the
sun iifty years ago which occurred at
noon and also a shower of falling stars
which followed some months after and
which began several hours before day
light and lusted until after sun-up. "Thoy
came down Ike hail stones" ho said to-
day, "but before they struck the earth
they busted into pieces throwing
shower of sparks everywhere Il thumb
cred. too, and the colored folks thought
the world was comm to an end"
An Inveterate Smoker.
"Do YOU use tobaccog" Peter was asked
by "a reporter for The Evening journal
this morning. lie smiled, shook his head
and said: Bless YOU sir, Use smoked an
my life, but never chawed / member how
1 started smokln. when ! was "a boy my
old aunty used TO smoke clay pipe and
she used TO send me to get It off the man-
The piece back o. the stove IN the Kitchen
used TO jest take little tobacco and
put IL ia the pipe and take few pulls be-
fore give 1t TO her. 1 got to llSen Il and
lse smoked ever since. I smokes my pipe
now every day.
How about your toddyy' Peter was
asked lie smiled again and said III don't
take nothin When / was a boy some
young fcllcrs got me to drink somethin'
they called "a lady's drink Il was made
outun annissccd II tasted sweet and made
me feel good, but my / was sick at my
stomlck afterwards. I never drnkcd no
more
churchman From Youth.
Wien d youug man he joined thc church
and has be,n dcvout member ever since.
~ never was rested said he. nor ever
put in inil. / was never brought up before
the church for doing wrong Use always
tried 10 do TO other people as 1 want them
to do to me-"
Peter. considering his age, is ia good
health. Ilo Is slightly deaf and complains
of pains Ia his side and back when he
sits too long. Whenever IL is necessary he
goes into the kitchen and assists in the
work there sweeps or the porohes and
takes a walk every day that the weather
permits.
Tonight from to II o'clock "a reception
vii be given at the home when those who
care TO can upon the conugenarlan are
invited TO do so As the reporter was
about to leave the house this morning
Peter arose. extended his hand and said:
God bless you sir, ! don't expect to be
here this time next year"