Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-03-19
Who REMEMBERS
BILLY BROWN ?"

Ninaty-six years of age, hale and
hearty and as frolicsome as a boy-a
man still living, who emigrated to
America before the octogenarians of
our town we're born-such are some of
the noteworthy facts connected with
the life of William Brown, former
resident of Danville. who dropped in
to the Montour house Saturday even
ing.
The aged man, who was ON his way
from Wilkes-Barre to Philipsburg,
Olearfeld county, dropped off the :51
Pennsylvania train at the south side
and came over to Danville for the pur-
pose of looking up old acquaintance.
He was easily recalled by many of our
older residents.
For an hour or more the man afforded
rare entertainment by his reminis-
cences of Danville, by his cute observa-
tions and his keen wit.
When our court house was built he
hauled the first load of stone used in
its construction from Pineoe's quarry
above town. At an earlier day when a
building boom was ON he purchased
two lots near what is now the Han
over brewery and built house, which
is still standing. For many years he
was engaged in hauling for the Grove
Brothers. During the reign of terror
caused by the "Mollie Maguires" he
was with Alexander Rea at Centralia
He built several houses in the coal
region and for many years before the
railroads became a factor he was en-
gagged in teaming over this section.
He gave a description of Danville in
the early days of the canal and named
all the prominent families.
The old gentleman was master of
polite sarcasm. Upon being asked
where he resided he replied:
"Do you know where Philipsburg
is-the poorest town in America?
Well, l live a mile beyond that vet,
sur. -
He owns house and lot, but the
coal mining industry has advanced be-
yond that section, leaving the COM
munity without resources, while the
abandoned mines have drained the
water out of the farms. The object of
his visit, he said, is to try to sell his
place, but he added, with twinkle
in his eye; IF can't sell it, l will
give it away
William (or Billy Brown as he was
known) was born in Ireland, but emil
grated to America eighty-two years
ago, when he was fourteen years of
age. Immediately upon landing, he
said, he resolved to associate with the
best American people. He according
ly learned to talk Dutch and at present
he can converse as fiuently in that
language as the average Pennsylvania
Dutchman.
He attributes his sound health and
unimpaired faculties at the age Of
ninety six to the fact that during his
life he has avoided indulgence in the
tobacco and whiskey habit. He neith-
er drinks, smokes nor chews tobacco.
He apparently has no thought of retir-
ing even at his advanced age and on
Saturday night he explained paying
project he has in view for next year,
which is nothing less than the raising
of sheep and the growing of onions on
large scale, on the abandoned lands
of Clearfield county. He expects to
realize big money.
Mr.. Browns father and his grand
father in Ireland were staunch Wings.
When he arrived in America he decid-
ed as far as possible to follow in the
footsteps of his worthy progenitors
and he accordingly voted the Republi-
can ticket. He has been a follower of
that party all through life.
Mr.. Brown served two years and one
month in the civil war as member
of Company /, 96th regiment under
Col. Cake. He has not yet received "A
pension, although he has made appIica-
tion. He intimated that there is no
particular hurry in the matter, as there
are many years ahead of him in which
to enjoy q pension.