The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-02-27
NEVER USES WATER
EXCEPT FOR MEDICINE
John Roby Of Burlington is o. Years
Old and He Tells an Interesting
Story Of His Life.

John Roby, Of Burlington was "a
years old Monday. During the day
neighbors and friendsl called on him to
extend congratulations upon the ami.
versary. To reporter who called, Mr.,
Roby talked Interestingly of his past
life. which in some respects has been
somewhat remarkable
Mr., Roby for tho last few years has
lived entirely alone His brother Rodney
who resides across the way, comes in
every day TO ask II there is anything
he can do for him, but otherwise he is
left entirely 10 himself excepting for a
casual visit from q neighbor He cooks
bis own food, buying bread and pastry
OF a nearby bakery, and does what
housework that IL necessary for his
comfort, prefering TO live in this way.
For man Of his advanced years, Mr..
Roby is in good health and aside from
few ailments incident TO old age he
suffered little sickness.
Mr.. Roby comes Of family noted for
longevity, his brother Rodney being 81,
n sister, Miss Caroline Roby Of Auburn
dale Mass, So and another brother, Cy-
rus Roby OF % South Winoosh avenue,
81. His father Ebeneses Roby, n long
time resident OF Corinth, died at ~ and
his mother lived 10 he SO. There were
six boys and two girls in the family of
whom but those above mentioned are
alive. The four Roby brothers were for
great many years well known build
ers of Burlington city, the head Of them
being Hias Roby, who died in 1890.
I've had a pretty hard time all my
life" said the subject Of this sketch.
Il went to work on farm at the age
Of ten and worked hard, going from
place to place as the farmers wanted
me. was paid 81 a month and my
board, but thought that was too
small so came TO Burlington and got
employment as carpenter building the
old steamer Vermont, which of course
YOU don't remember. They paid me
SIPS a day and my board which was
some better than working on farm.
Capt. Layater White was good boss,
yes sir, good boss, and earned con
siderable working on the steamer. FL
nally all my brothers came TO Burling-
ton and were builders, as you know.
Il have not done anything for 20
years, since ] had the grip which left me
in poor health. And II has been years
since ] have been down street to see
what was going on.
no, / don't read, although ! can,
with glasses. / am just waiting to die
and sometimes ] think the quicker ] 60
the better, particularly since my wife
died.
'Yes, I have been married twice and
came near being hitched Up the third
time" continued the aged man. There
are the photographs of three. (pointing
to the framed portraits on the walll.
They are sisters. The middle one Is
my first wife. the one on the right Is
the second, and the third was to marry
me but died within two weeks Of our
wedding day. Their names were White,
from Corinth. We had no children
In answer to a question Mr.. Rohy
continued. Il haven't drunk drop Of
water in 30 years, except what little is
NECESSARY for my medicine and / do not
drink, smoke or chew tobacco. oh, ]
don't know as that had anything to do
with my long ifN The reason ! don't
drink water "a that used to drink too
much in hot weather and get my ston-
ach all out of tune So I decided to
quit lite. drink tea, coffee and cocoa
sparingly.
II get along comfortably here, but 1t
has been hard winter When | was
your age thought differently, could
stand anything"
Mr.. Rnby lives during the day prac-
tically in one room, the kitchen. He
occupies an old fashioned rocker near
q table wherein is kept his food which
he purchases from day to day. He
hasn't been out of doors except on the
piazza since last Thursday, as he is
afraid that he win fall and injure him
self He walks erect, however, and with
q firm tread quite unlike the faltering |
steps usually attributed to man OF his |
age. His mind is bright and his mem
DRY Is good, particularly of incidents of
his earlier life.
A large framed portrait Of Washing
ton adorns the wall Of one room and |
elsewhere are hung excellent likenesses
0f James A. Garfield, Lincoln and other
prominent men Of history Most of the
large house has remained closed since
Mr.. Rohy decided to live alone. He
built the house and he wishes to live In
It as long as life lasts.