Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-15

Starr went with Gen. Jacksons forces to
the Florida war, after which he returned
to Ohio. and in a few years moved to the
Wisconsin wilderness. DIR. Starr enlisted
for the Mexican war and served through
out the hostilities.
Arriving at his majority, young Starr
explored the west. and for many years
was engaged in clearing tracts of timber,
building log houses and selling them at
profit. thus amassing what was cOnsid-
cred neat little sum in those days.
Goes to Gold Fields.
In 1S49 DIR. Starr contracted the gold
fever" and with hundreds of others set
out for the wonderful gold fields of Cal
ifornia. Here he shared the rough and
tumble life OF the miner with all of It's
ups and downs, making a stake here and
there. falling to strike it rich'' in the
broadcast sense of the word. but generally
adding to his store of the precious metal.
Then came the trOublous times of 1850
and 1851, when the bad men" of the
camps brought about a reign of lawless-
ness and violence. DR.. Starr organized
the vigilance committee that quelled the
disturbances and drove the lawless gun
fighters and looters from the mines.
In 1884 DR. Starr entered the Medical
College of New Orleans, and afterward
invested the proceeds Of his mining days
in cotton, sugar and corn plantations in
Louisiana. His fortune swelled until he
came to be known as one Of the richest
men in the state. When the civil war
began DIR. Starr took up the Confederate
cause, with 600 men under his command.
In speaking of his war record, DIR.
Starr said to a Star reporter recently:
Before hostilities began L opposed
owing to which stand 1 became a little
unpopular on both sides. which, have
always felt. barred me from holding high
rank during the war"
At the 6lose of the war DR.. Starr found
his fortuna gone and the prospect of be-
ginning life all over again at the age Of
ffty-eight. He was appointed postmaster
of a Texas township, but in few years
came to the District and practiced medi-
cine. making a new fortune. which. he
says, was lost in an unfortunate specula-
ton.
Settles in Washington.
In the late COS DR.. Starr returned to
the west. where he remained ten years.
In 1875 he removed to Washington. tax
ing up his abode at 700 G street. where
for thirty-one years he had pursued his
vocation as a medical botanist Since
becoming resident of Washington he
had published several booklets on health
and longevity, and had engaged In the
manufacture of several proprietary medi-
cines, which he distilled from herbs and
roots gathered by his own hands.
DR.. Starr, to all appearances, scarcely
seemed more than seventy-five years old.
His step was quick, even for that age.
his eyesight good and his memory and
spirits excellent.
He talked interestingly of the Wash
ington of thirty years ago, when he es-
tablished himself in this city. At that
time street was the city limit on the
north, and the doctor SAID he had fire.
quently wandered in the blackberry
patches then adjoining what Is now one
of the most populous parts of the city.
He remembered perfectly the first cleo
trio car passing his G street home. In
recent years he had spent much Of his
time on the front doorsteps watching the
passing street cars and the hurrying pc
deStrianS. many of whom had known him
for number of years and always had
CHEEKY nod and a pleasant smile for
him.
Promptly at and o'clock Dr. Starr
dropped everything and walked unaided
to a nearby cafe, ordered a hearty meal.
chatted a while with the proprietor and
walters and returned to resume his watch
on the doorstep until bedtime arrived.
Believer in Botanical Remedies.
DIR. Starr had no faith in any medicine
except that which he himself obtained
from the herbs and roots of the field. He
began the study of botany when fourteen
years old. in this respect following the
example Of number of his forefatfiers,
all Of whom were botanical specialists.
living in advanced ages.
Arriving at the age OF fourteen, &C
cording to DIR. Starr, he climbed upon
the lap of his mother and informed her
of his theory how to live to an advanced
age. He pointed out that the stomach
was the barometer of the whole body.
and announced the intention from that
day forth of adhering to the laws OF
nature as he construed them.
MY mother agreed with me- said DR..
Starr, land she became interested In my
studies. She began to diet and taboocd
many of the things which she had, before
1--WE organs. Her health improved. and
she lived to ripe old age. Prior to this
time i had been sickly, puny child.
whom all the neighbors predicted would
This angered me, and set about to belle
their prophecy. I have outlived them
every one,
Remarkable Record.
Over 100 years without the service OF a
physician and without taking medicine
is the remarkable record of DR.. Starr
To proper care of his stomach DIR. Starr
attributed~his long life. Longevity is as
SureQ all IL tDey Will treat tnell
stomach decently" he once said 'That
is the treatment / have accorded mine
since was fourteen years old.
"A large part of the human family, die
their own graves with their teeth They
eat what they should not; they eat when
they should not. and they eat more than
they should. and then expect some doctor
with poisonous medicines to keep them
in healthy Everything you eat. drink OF
chew is either benefit or an injury to
YOU Remember that What not to eat is
| just as important as what to eat In
vestigation has taught me that il YOU
would live long you must put on the
blacklist all pies and pastry, oatmeal, fat
meats of every kind. coffee. warm bread
and i'm some respects milk. Too much
milk is. not good for any one.
Every person Is at some period in life
endowed with q good stomach" explained