The Washington herald., 1907-10-15

wood Presents BOuquet 10 Host.
In the presence OF the members Of the
Oldest Inhabitants Association. and sur
rounded BY hundreds of friends and ad-
mirers. DR.. William II. Starr yesterday
celebrated his Tooth birthday anniversary.
The centenarian had decided some time
ago To observe the event in a fitting
manner, and. consequently. issued invl-
tations TO his friends TO be present on
the all-important day.
A programme. consisting Of luncheon.
speeeh-making, and music. had been pro-
yided. and Queens Cafe, where the event
took place yesterday afternoon between
2 and o'clock, was crowded with men
most Of whom have passed the SEVENTEEN
milestone some years ago Age, however,
could not dampen their enthusiasm or
the warmth Of their remarks. as they
passed eulOgiums on their beloved host,
the birthday child
Allison Nsilor. jr.. president OF the
Oldest Inhabitants Association. presided.
and occupied seat on the platform
alongside Dr. Starr, above whose ven
cradle head over suspended the stars
and Stripes Mrs Belva Lockwood. with
few well chosen remarks, presented a
bouquet Of flowers to the ceIebrant. and
after everybody had partaken Of tns
good things 10 eat and drink, the speech
making began. Mr.. Nailor introduced B.
II. Warner, who, in the name OF DR..
Starr. presented the Oldest Inhabitants
Association with a life-size crayon por-
trait OF the 100-year-oId gentleman. Mr..
Warner made a lengthy speech. in which
he reviewed DR.. Stars life work and the
progress made everywhere since he first
saw the light Of day
Allison Nailor, jr-. accepted the souvenir
portrait of DR.. Starr, and in behalf Of
the association expressed his deepest sp-
probation for the honor Of being priv
ileged to preside over the meeting Mr..
| Nailor, in turn. presented g0ld-headed
cane. suitably inscribed. to DR.. Starr, the
gift of the Oldest Inhabitants Associa-
/ ton.
Some of the Guests.
/ Henry A Willard. for his father. Henry
K Willard, presented to DR.. Starr
group picture of the association, taken
last year at the Occidental Hotel, when
Henry X. Willard celebrated his eighty
fifth anniversary. CoRgratuIatory speeches
were made by Gen. Wilson, the Rev. Dr.
Radcliffe W NJ. Cox, and others, and
| present were these:
| Henry K Willard. James Croggan. Rudolph ssur.
William r. Britain. John .. Walker. John II.
Walker Charles Shambaugh. ". H. BTaund. James
Lsekie C. B. Towles. George ". Donaldson, J. q.
Kent. Sugs Boyee. i. > kiopfer, J. D CatheH.
/ James johnson, " q. Duckett, Jacob Tiehmeyer.
/ George Wilmer, William g. Gzllsnd Philip NJ.
/ O'Byon. Emmet Smith v. W. Chambers Joseph
/ 7. Keefer, '. Laskey J. 2. Toiman. SUNNY o Dea,
Frederick q. Calvert, d. T. Cissel. B. D. Branan.
/ W Driver Isaac Pearson II. Y. C0ltcn, J. Cross
/ field. Hylsnd Kirk. Gilbert Thompson {. B.
Smith. William A. Linton. o. c. Fisher. a ".
/ Layton. Dr. ). " Began. Il. n Dellinger Ch- Z.
sutherland. A. J. Bache. Z. T. MeNerhany Bryson
/ Tilley A. 5. Taber ". c. O'Meara. 5. NsrriB
/ Thorn. 3. F. LaTcombe Patrick Cleary. ". H. Den
mis- John J. Georges, William J. Green. l. 7. Chan
/ cey, J. Tabert, Thomas Williams. c. B. Smith, r.
W. Illllng- 4. \. NConan. Udnle4 tsenau. II. kef-
gan. Peter p Little J. GutWisel, Joseph C. Burger.
| William H. Fuss, Gen. Wilson, Mai Ames Rev.
| DR.. Ratclife, Allison Nailor. j., B. ". Reiss, ".
/ W Chambers. ". G. Duckey, and others.
| He Never Used Tobacco.
| If Dr. Wiley. of the Agricultural De-
partment, the terror of the adulterated
/ food manufacturer and advocate OF
| longevity, should be casting around
for rules and regulations as regards
the art of Growing 100 Years Old
Gracefully" he should consult DR..
Starr. who Is president Of the Botanic
Association of the United States.
DIR. Starr is old, it is true. but he is
strong and healthy in body. and his
mind is as quick and clear as that Of
a man many years his junior Dr.
Starr ascribes his excellent health and
great age to the fact that he never
used tobacco in any shape or form:
that he never touched Intoxicating
| liquors. that he never ate as much at
time as he felt inclined; that he al
ways ate a little less. Another maxim
always strictly observed by DR. starr
| is that he always went 10 bed with
sundown and rose with the sun in the
morning. bs1ding this to be natures
law from the beginning Of the world.
The centennarian lives at 709 G street
northwest, in gloomy back room on the
| ground floor, which, in its quaintness. re-
lminds one of scenes from Dickens char
aetcrs. A reporter of The Washington
Herald called on DR.. Starr. It was grow
ing dark, and the venerable old man was
enjoying the last days Of daylight, sitting
on chair on the front steps leading into
the house. He wore a high silk hat.
which. judging from appearances, has
been the Doctors faithful companion for
| 10, these many years. A suit OF dark-blue
material, cut after an ancient pattern.
and a pair Of congress CATERS completed
| this remarkable old mans attire His
kindly. though shrewd. face is bordered
/ by heavy. fun beard OF iron gray Max
/ ing the centennarian acquainted with the
reporters mission, the former invited the
newspaper man TO step back" into his
Office. This room was dimly lighted BY
diminutive gas flame. throwing mysterf-
Gus shadows into the corners and hooks.
the shelves and the closets of the queer
room, which was at once the bedroom,
the parloT, the laboratory, the Office. and
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