Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-01
s7 YEARS OLD.
Michael McNerny Recalls Daniel
 0,Connell and Father Mathew.

terbury readers:
 Michael McNerny, Rockets oldes citizen, was 97 years old Tuesday ant with mental faculties preserved to al astonishing degree, and physical en durance such that he has accomplish ed the care of large garden and piece of potatoes which yielded 3' bushels, during this summer, he is en toying the declining years of his lif' at the home of his daughter, Kate Mrs Thomas Flynn at Dormer cot tage. MT McNerny hopes and be lieves that he will be permitted tt reach the century mark. Should hi hopes be realized the whole of Beck ct will turn out to celebrate his cen tenary.
 MT McNerny was born in Enni' county, Clare, Ireland, September 29 1911, and spent his early life in hi! native country, marrying Miss Nors Flannigan, June 24, 1S43. Mrs Nc Nerny died May 26, 1906, thus break ing up the home which had beer maintained for 63 years. MT Nc Nerny recalls the days of Daniel O'Connell and Father Mathew, and attended the first meetings held by the latter, and heard O'Connell speak at about the time he was elected tc parliament in 1928. He recalls that If man would vote he must be worth 6 10 in English money. The might O the big wind" is no myth with him, as 1t destroyed his crops and all Ireland was shaken and large trees uprooted. The terrible famine, due to complete failure of crops, is also remembered by this venerable man, as is the generosity of the Amer ican people, who so generously con- tributed to the fund raised for the benefit of the sufferers.
 Speaking of Daniel O'Connells first term in parliament, he recalls how the English members poked fun at the Irish member, and suggested that he make speech, which O'Con- nell did, in the Irish language, which none of them understood, after which he spoke in English and the English lords maryeled at his command of de- livery. Of Father Mathew he says that he looked like a saint, and he had seen drunkards achieve an ever lasting hatred for drink drink, through his ministrations.
 MT McNerny was fond of sports in his youthful days, and tells of his fa- vorite game, hurling. In this game AZ men played, 21 on each side, the members of one team wearing red caps, while the men of the other side wore black caps. A goal, much like a football goal, 15 feet between posts and five feet high, was at each end of the field. A small ball was used, and as it was thrown into the field all AZ men bounced upon it with sticks re- sembling golf sticks, the 21 men of each side making strenuous efforts to drive the ball through the goal of the other side. It was while engaged in playing this game that he suffered an injury to his left knee, at the age of 21, and while at first the injury was considered of trifling nature, it proved to be serious, and he has all ways been lame from it. Throwing a club over the round towers was also a common sport or pastime. These towers are described as marrow cir cular edifices, tapering somewhat at the top, from 60 to 190 feet in height and from 20 to 30 feet in diameter. With the exception of three in Scot land they are peculiar to Ireland" ]" There was but one of these that he was unable to throw the club over
 MT ,McNerny came to the United States in 1S49, and being farmer he held to his calling, and has been iden- tified with it in this part of Massa- chusetts ever since, first in Blandford and later in Beckett. He was a good judge of cattle and bought young stock throughout the four western counties, and there are very few of the older farmers in these counties who do not know Michael McNerny. He would stock the large pastures of his farm, now managed by his son, former Representative Frank McNer- ny, and in the fall of each year would make large sales to dealers in the lar ger towns and cities.
 HIS SuALucI, lOl luc uISC JlluC III 75 years, he has failed to go into the hay field and take an active part in the work. Although handicapped by his knee, being obliged to use his snath as a cane to assist in taking each step forward, there were few men who could outmow him.
 He has not quit work and never will, as his daily toll seems to keep him alive, and it is probable that should he be so situated that he could not find work to do each day, his days would be few. MT McNerny's family consists of three sons, James of Buffalo, Edmund of Waterbury and Frank of Beckett, and two daugh- ters, Mrs Thomas Flynn and Mrs Ste phen Flynn, who live so near to each other that the father can spend his spare time with either of the daugh- ters or go to visit the farm, as he likes.
 He appreciates his children and says he is sure of home and plenty for the remainder of his life with any of them, and that the days or years to come will be made as pleasant as possible for him. MT McNerny has al-