Smyrna times., 1905-05-17
.SMYRNIAN HONORED UPON
HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY
JOHN W. OLIVER VETERAN EDITOR OF THE
YONKERS STATESMEN HONORED.
His TOwnsmen Give Him an Over Whelming
Greeting at the Office and Also at his
Residence During the Day.


Greeting at the Office and Also at his
Residence During the Day.
John W. Oliver, the veteran editor
of the Yonkers N. Y, Statesman, who
in the later seventies was a resident
of this vicinity and well-known by |
many of our citizens, celebrated re-
Gently his Goth birthday. 1t was day |
long to be remembered by him aud he |
received in person at his home "Rose |
Cottage" steady stream of callers,
who came with congratulations all day
long.
And he was almost overwhelmed
with kind letters and kilograms from
near and far, and a number of hand
some floral pieces were left for the edi-
tor at his home One of these took
the form of a large horse shoe, at the
top of which was a bed of white carna-
tions, with the figures 80 in violets.
The day was replete with incidents
of cheering, social character, and all
were thoroughly enjoyed by the edi-
tor, although he was Kept busy at
times, in reading congratulatory letters
and kilograms.
When Mr.. Oliver reached the Office,
that morning, he found that floral
transformation had been effected in the
editors sanctum; it was, literally a
bower of flowers and the air was re-
dolent with their perfume. The ia
miliar desk at which Mr.. Oliver has
presided for so many years, had lost
It's identity in a beautiful drapery of
buds and blossoms and the bright ver-
dure of early spring. Twining vines
of smilax were interspersed with the
delicate green tracery of the asparagus
fern, while the rich hues of crimson
rambler roses were seen here and there
in scarlet abandon and glory. Sur
mounting the desk on either side, were
pure white spirea In pots, while just
below was panel of smilax with the
figure 80 in crimson immortelles. The
whole was tribute from all the men
who help to produce The STATESMAN
every day. The effect was enhancing.
Accompanying the floral tribute was a
large folder with golden wreath en-
closing the following legend: "Birth-
day souvenir-90-John W. Oliver,
1S15-19O5," enriched with purple rib
bon in band and bow. That evening
Il rooaDkinn rrfuo him
which was largely attended. Promi-
nent citizens united in offering solicit
tations and gifts, and the speech max
= ing was happy event.
On the 3Oth of April, 1916, Mr.. Oil
yer was born. His early years were
passed in Baltimore: when 20 years
old he left Baltimore and walked all
} the way to New York City, which city
t he reached in a penniless condition.
Q He Immediately found employment
and in two years had a printing office
, of his own. He applied some steam
machinery to job printing and revolu
3 tionized the trade. On Oct. l, 1866,
i Mr.. Oliver came to Yonkers, having
g purchased the property in Warburtor
: avenue which has ever since been hii
home. He was then 81 years old ant
= according to DR.. Osler had IL years
J., before that time passed the zenith o
: his powers, and in nine years shoulC
'. have been chloroformed. Upon hi
). arrival in Yonkers, Mr.. Oliver was en-
i gagged as editor of The STATESMAN
and Immediately put new life into tn
paper and attacked with characteristic
vigor what he considered wrong, sup
l. porting with equal ardor what b
deemed right. With the exception c
a. the three or four years he spent on
(. farm near Smyrna, he has been at til
9 head of this large newspaper enter
prise aud though at the age of 80 year
" still does Editorial work with his az
re customed vigor. He has man
IN Smyrna friends who join in the heart
congratutions that have been shove
q. upon him.