The Washington herald., 1908-06-01
WORKS DAILY AT 81
Remarkable Life Story of
Mrs. Annie PhilpOtt.
EMPLOYE OF PRINTING BUREAU
Began Work for Government When
sixty Years Old, and IL Now One of
the Most Popular OF Uncle Sans
TOilers-BOrn I'm Pennsylvania.
Never Thinks of Dying.


TOilers-Born I'm Pennsylvania.
Never Thinks of Dying.
Mrs Annie E Philpott is ninety-two
summers young. and has been In the en-
ploy Of Uncle Sam for thirty-two years
Everybody who knows Mrs. Philpott
calls her Granny" because they think
much OF her She has been one of the
most attractive features Of the Bureau
Of Engraving and Printing for years
Granny Is only a charwoman She re-
ceives the annual pittance OF 500. and
the government is the gamer by far, for
her smiles and loyalty are worth many
times that sum.
Mrs. Philpott was born December II.
1915, in Hanover. Adams County Pa.
the daughter Of a good, old keystone
State family. Her husband died thirty
three years ago. and not being overly
blessed with earthly goods. the widow,
then in hex sixtieth year. had to find en-
ployment in order to keep up the little
household. She found work in the Treas
ury Department. where she was on the
pay roll for more than a year. after
which she was transferred 10 the Bureau
Of Engraving and Printing. where she
has worked. smiled. and spread happi-
ness for the last thirty-two years.
Her employment at the bureau now is
in making sacks for waste paper and
rags, and she takes great pride in seeing
that the ONCE OF the director OF the
bureau is kept clean and is properly dust
ed every morning. at which time she
places a big bunch Of flowers, which she
grows in her little garden in Georgetown,
on the desk.
Lives in Georgetown.
Mrs. Philpott lives in an old-fashioned,
three-story frame building in Thirty
sixth street. old Georgetown. which is
kept by Mrs s. A Finley. the baby
daughter Of Mrs Philpott. Mrs. Finley
is sixty-ore years old. and is the mother
of fifteen children. eight Of whom, seven
boys and one daughter. are living.
Notwithstanding her age, Mrs Philpott
enjoys the best OF health and spirits. and
her intellect is bright and her converse
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height. walks erect. though with meas
ured little steps. and her venerable head
is crowned with a wealth Of snow-white
hair. Her eyes are blue and clear. and
their brightness is seldom hidden behind
spectacles. Granny" Is happy. because
everybody is good to her. black and
white.
A reporter for The Washington Herald
called on Mrs. PhllpOtt recently. and.
in answer 10 the bell. she slowly
opened a shutter on the second floor.
and. peering through. informed her
caller she would be down directly. Be
fore many minutes she came. and in
vited the newspaper man into the little
family parlor. She seated herself in an
old-fashioned. comfortable chair and told
the story Of her daily life in a charming.
simple manner.
Spends Day at Home.
Il stayed at home to-day from work. :"
she said. because had rheumatic pains
in my right shoulder; but It's getting bet
ter already. I have been working at the
bureau now over thirty-two years. l like
It. and l am used to II and couldn't do
without it. I miss my work very much
to-day. It makes me uneasy not TO be
doing something.
Speaking of her routine of life, Mrs.
Philpott said she gets up at 4:3O o'clock
every morning, and. after saying her
prayers. prepares for breakfast, in order
to be at the bureau at $50 o'clock. She
is known to every conductor on the line
which passes her home. and every morn
f-rr eafv a
friendly knock at the door from one Of
the conductors. which means her car is
ready TO start. once inside the bureau
building. her work begins. and she sees
no let-up until o'clock. when she pre-
pares TO go home
An ordinary person, after working all
day in the government. would take the
balance OF the day for rest and recrea-
ton. Not so for Granny" She says
she "stirs about" when she gets home.
does fancy work. or attends TO her flow
ers. When night falls. or an hour or two
later, about S or . o'clock, she goes 20 bed
and enjoys a good nights rest until 4:3O
o'clock the next morning.
Mrs. Philpott has a good appetite and
Is fond of good things TO eat. She said:
Il am from Pennsylvania. and Pennsyl-
vania people have good appetites. and
like good things to eat There is lots OF
everything there. and then like a change
In my meals, too"
Mrs. Philpott will spend her vacation
this year in this city. Up to two years
ago she went to her home in Pennsyl-
vania every year. and her friends and
relatives there are anxious 10 have her
spend a couple Of weeks with them.
Never Thinks of Dying.
II am getting old. but I don't feel Old
feel like living on and never think Of
dying"
Capt. Meredith was director Of the bu-
reau up TO a few years ago. and under
date of May O. 1907, he wrote OF Mrs.
Philpott as follows:
During the several years I had the
honor TO serve as chief and director of
the Bureau Of Engraving and Printing. I
knew Mrs. Annie PhlpOtt, and she came
under my observation every day It gives
me pleasure TO bear testimony to her
faithfulness in the discharge Of her du-
ties as an employee OF the bureau. and
to her general good conduct"
Mrs Philpott is a Catholic, and a men,
Der of Trinity Church. which is near her
home.
Watch for a city-RandlS Highlands.