The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-12

Nettled by the mandate of a life in
surance company that. having passed
the age at which he is supposed under
mortality tables TO be dead, he must
receipt for his life insurance and be
marked dead on the records OF the
company, Brigadier General Daniel H.
Rucker, retired. ninety-six years OF age,
was reported today as being too indis-
POSED To discuss his statistical demise.
Naturally, a man OF my fathers age
Is easily worried said Miss RuckeT,
when seen at the Rucker home. 1924
Jefferson Place. The visit 10 the in
surance company's office and the sub
sequelt attention now being paid to the
matter by the press has nettled him
considerably and he is not feeling well
today II is not pleasant you know,
for a man 10 be reminded repeatedly
that he has exceeded the limit prescrib-
ed by the mortality tables the inference
being that he is living longer than has
been intended"
Calls to Protest at death"
General Ruci-er, in response 70 a let
ter setting forth that he must be mark
ed of the books of the company, just
as though his claim had been adjusted
after death. called at the Offices
OF the New York Life Insurance Com
pany yesterday-very much alive. In
his conversation with A A. Marshall.
one of the local managers. there was
nothing TO indicate that General Rucker
had any thoughts OF dying.
Despite the company's announced in
tentions TO put him among the death
claims in order TO keep the records
straight. General Rucker, smiIingly.
and then seriously. protested that he
expected to live quite a while yet.
IllS, IN substance IS the comforting
message. in answer TO which the vet
Gran had called upon his insurers:
Lived Longer Than Expected.
Under American experience mortality
tables, all lives are assumed TO have
expired before the age of ninety-six; in
asmUch as you have rea ched this age
you are supposed 10 have died and your
policy will be settled just. as though
it had fallen due by reason Of your
demise"
General Rucker, after this explana-
Iion. has agreed 10 accept payment for
lis policy, which has bean paid up 50
long that the mind Of man runneth not
to the contrary, and will resIgnedly, il
is presumed, submit TO the entry death
claim paid" on the New York records
Of the company A check is 10 be
mailed General Rucker Immediately.
Why He Lived Long.
General Rucker attributes his Iongev-
ity 10 the grace of God and a good
constitution" Until he reached the
seventies he didn't object to a little to-
bacco now and then, neither was he q
teetotaler. His mother lived to bt
eighty, his father not quite so long
His grandfather died when a COMPARE
lively young man. Hence, it Is not an
cestry that plays the important part.
General Fuckers age bellies his APP
pearance- He walked part Of the dis
tance to the insurance Offices yester-
day.
General Rucker was born in New Jer-
sey April .. 1872. He has an enviable
war record, having entered the service
in 1887 and being retired with the rank
of brigadier and brevet major genera
in 1872. He served with distinction in
the civil war.
General Rucker has three children
living One of them is Mrs. Irene
Rucker sherman, widow of Gen. Phil
SheTiden. The others are Miss Louise
and Miss Sarah RuckeT, who reside
with the general at his Jefferson place
home HIS youngest grandchild is
Lieut.. Phil. SheTiden. who is now in his
TWenty-siNth year.