Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-11
woRL DIS OLDEST coMMuTER.
Thomas Southland, East Boston, Aged
1903 Years, Enjoys Distinction.

TO Thomas CULVER Southland OF
Prescott street, East Boston. l09 years
young, must the laurel be awarded as
the worlds oldest commuter. owing to
his frequent trips to ais sons Giouces-
ter home.
As 4 general proposition. committing
is n game for the strenuous. But he
AYERS ii is no trouble for him TO pack
his suitcase, board ear for the North
station. and there taka a train to the
Fishing CITY.
Seated tailcrwise on the floor OF his
bedroom. MIR Southland was found by II
reporter fer the Boston Sunday Pos
busily packing his suitcase. prepare :
tory for Il trip to Gloucester As
gtraieht in figure as Jim Thorpe, clear
of eye. and with grip that leaves the
imprint OF his fingers on the visitors
hand. Mr. Southland shows but few
signs of his great age.
If enc cid not know his years Mr.
Southland would not be placed much
hevond the three score mark. With
eyesieht hat little dimmcd by the pass
ing generations and his hearing good,
he lives in the present.
Il was packing TIP a bit the cen-
tcnarjan remarked after friendly
greeting Going up Gloucester way to
see my SON. lie continued, leading the
reporter into the living room, where
after seating himself in an old-fash-
toned arm chair, he closed the suitcase
Guess you seldom see a fellow as
old as I am travelling about. But /
can't get into a rut You know; it is 4
bad Thing for young fellow. he con-
tiuued with Il smile.
Well known To the conductors on the
run u Gloucester, Mr.. Southland Is able
To enter and leave the train without
assistance, going and coming without
an escort, and making the trip across
the city without difficulty.
Although born near the banks OF tic
picturesque Penobscot. Mr. Squthard
is a native of Massachusetts. When
was ,lshered into the world, he SAID.
MAIN was district of Massachusetts
April Il, 1910. beins the date OF my
BIRTH
Dresden was the town where MIR.
Southland spent his early days ana
where he received his 6rSt schooling,
later going to what is now NdterNliie'
with his parents and many brothers
ana SlStGfS. Forty NtttlS tirT''. ~ 49,
10 Boston Here he continued IN the
shipbuilding business. finally retiring
at the solicitation of relatives.
Il learned the business Wien
youngeter," he said. and in my time.
have seen some grand boats turned cut,
have built and helped construct full
rugged ships, barks brigantines and
SC boomers, and some Of them, | tell
YOU. have been the finest that ever
sailed the seas. Eut those queenly
beauties we don't see any more, and
for that reason. perhaps, if for no 9TH
er. | am not as much interested in the
shipbuilding line as / once was.
1t was natural that Mr. Southardss
son would have a iiltins for Tie sea.
one. Charles S. Southard, commands a
fine schooner and another. Thomas b.
Southland. IS in the shipbuilding hush
ness in Gloucester. Another son, Geo.
#. Sonthard. is a resident OF East Bos-
ton, while his only living daughter,
Mrs. Clara Perkins, lives IN Neponset.
Mr. Southards father was Amos
Paris Souttard, veteran Of the ReVolu-
ton, of sllirmisl1es With the indians,
and Of the war of 1872