Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-07
IS NESTOR OF COUNTY
W. H. Piles Is Montgomery's
Oldest Citizen.
ONCE INSULTED LINCOLN
Apologized to President and Became
His Friend.
ASKED DAVIS TO BOX HIS JAWS
Used Ugly Language to Then Score
tary Of Warsaw Adams, With
Collar Off, Shovel Dirt.
ASKED DAVIS TO BOX HIS JAWS
r,oc,., corresnondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd. July z, 1908
Montgomery county's oldest citizen Is
William H. Piles, who lives on his farm
a short distance from Cabin John bridge
He will be ninety-eight years old his next
birthday. He was born in st. Mary
county, but has lived in Montgomery ever
since he was eighteen years of age.
Mr. Piles is active in mind and pooy'
and takes keen interest in affairs gener-
ally. He no longer does the hard work
on the farm. but bushes himself to the ex-
tent of feeding the poultry and keeping
the garden free of weeds.
Several days ago he visited Rockville
on business He says he does not feel
old. and declares he sees no reason why
he should not enjoy many years yet OF
good health.
Insulted President Lincoln.
In September, 1854, Mr.. Piles, with
gang of sixty men, commenced clearing
the way for the construction of the Con-
duit road and Cabin John bridge. He
delights in relating incidents that oc-
CURED while that work was under way.
On one occasion, he says, he was ap-
preached by a tall, ugly man, who in
ouired of him the nature of the work ne
was having done. Not having the re-
hottest idea who the man was. he gave
some blunt. unsatisfactory reply, and the
later he had insulted President Lincoln.
Mr.. Lincoln happened out that way again
soon afterward. Mr.. Piles embraced the
opportunity to apologize. Mr.. Lincoln
said it was all right. The two men after
ward became friends.
NJ ole QPnnQfn1P6
with Jefferson Davis. He tells of an cpl
sode that occurred when Mr.. Davis was
Secretary of War. He was before Mr..
Davis on q matter in connection with the
work on. the Conduit. Incensed at state
ment made by Mr.. Davis. he used some
ugly language to the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Davis threatened to slap his Jaws.
Thereupon Mr.. Piles offered him dollar
If he would do so.
Mr. Piles, however. continued in charge
Of the work. He remained in the employ
Of the government long time.
Adams Took Collar Of.
Mr. Piles says he was present when
President John Quincy Adams commenced
the work of constructing the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal in 1924. The work was
begun, he says, near an old magazine
which stood near the line between Mary
land and the District of Columbia. Presi-
dent Adams, he says, removed his collar
and necktie, and then pushed the shovel
into the ground. throwing the dirt over
his shoulder. Mr.. Piles says the spec
tators were badly frightened by the firing
of a cannon to celebrate the event.
It has been more than once ntlmated
that Mr.. Piles might know something
about the disappearance of the name of
Jefferson Davis from the side of Cabin
John bridge. Mr.. Piles declares he knows
nothing whatever concerning 1t. He says
he was not IN Maryland at the time, be-
ing engaged in work for the government
elsewhere.
Mr.. Piles has twice been married, but
both wives are dead. He has several chill
dren.