The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-07-08
John D., 10 Years Old Today
ExpecfS TO Lice 10 Be 100

Wnht sort OF q man Is J0nn ID.
Rockefeller at 70 years of age to-
day7 Has nature wrought the
same changes In the mind of the
richest man In the world that have
been wrought In his bodyf
Today, his SEVENTEEN birthday,
Rockefeller In the living answer.
He has sublime faith today that
his physician, DIR. II. II. Biggar,
!. told the truth when he said Rock
efoilor would live to be 100 years
old.
Age showed Itself on him to-
day ut his Forest Hill home. to be
sure, but IL was the age of little
more than full maturity and not
the age we call venerable.
For the past five years Rookie
Teller, Il has been said, was get
ting old." At the time he faced a
court In the Chicago Standard Oil
trial three years ago he seemed
feeble, even scared.
But today at three score and ten
Rockefeller is YOUNGER than he
was three years ago.
The face of Rockefeller at 70,
once seen, never could be forgot
ten. His skin is sunburned to the
point Of sallowness, but 1t is the
nutsbrown tan of health.
Usually expressionless, Rookie
feller's face crinkles like parch-
ment when he speaks, though his
eyes betray nothing. When he Is
serious In talking his mouth, al
ways drawn down into kind of
salf-sad smile, shows the same
wrinkles that are displayed when
Rockefeller Is in good humor.
His nose bridges the void be-
tween his twinkling light-blue eyes
and the half wan mouth. Above
his eyes towers a forehead that
shows great perceptive power
rather than great mentality.
Rockefeller's forehead is Grim
killed. with the same innumerable
tiny wrinkles as his face and were
he to elevate his sparse eyebrows
1t would show wrinkles too.
But Rockefeller at 20, quick to
gauge the mood of others, never
betrays by facial expression what
his own mind Is telling him. But
his eyes often reveal that which
his mind is intent upon-especial-
ly when he feels enjoyment.
For Rockefeller has the gaze of
youth. He may be talking to you
about the weather or the new
blown water lilies on his lake at
Forest Hill, or golf, or the robin
he saw yesterday, all In a CHEEKY
voice and then you see that his
eyes are not the eyes of an old
man.
They constantly rover over his
companions, up and down, back
and forth, but never losing the
power Of human inquiry.
And he doesn use his eyes
watching THINGS when there are
PERSONS about.
At times when he grows earnest
his voice will break and quaver,
rise to higher pitch, but always
be subdued. At other times when
he gives an order to a domestic or
speaks of trifle easily to be dis
missed, his voice becomes stronger
more peremptory. His words fall
from the lips of an old man who
shows he has been used to giving
/, orders from which there could be
no appeal.
When he stands erect his head
- bent forward, but 1t is not from
a body-eteaned with the weight of
70 years. The neck, rather than
the shoulders, is inclined. It is
only the effect on a mans body of
a mind constantly attentive to
what is before him-forgetful of
what he has passed through.
That is the ONE reason why he
is so young at 70-he has learned
to forget.
Rockefeller's handclasp is firm,
but not unyielding. As you grasp
his hand you do not experience
any receptive mental change from
the second before you shook
hands with him. It Is not a clam
my hand, but a hand that feels its
way. Extended I'm greeting, it Is
not pushed forward by his arm.
The hands seem to lead the arm
to position where 1t is within
reach.
Hesitation is expressed in this
way, but it is the hesitation of ha-
bitual caution. not the falter that
comes to most men 20 years old.
Neither is the gait of Rockefel-
Ter that of man of 20. From his
shoulders down his body is as
straight as an Indians and there is
something of the. Indian suggested
by his low voice, his seductive
banner of speech, the intense