The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-22
CENTURY OLD,
SPOKE PIECE
Mrs. r Abel of Enos-
~ dlls Observed No
~ table Anniversary
IS IN GOOD HEALTH,
EXCEPT FOR SIGHT
She Recounts Many Inter-
esting Events of Her
Younger Days

Enosburg Falls, March 22-Mrs. Har'
riet Abel celebrated her Tooth birthday
anniversary to-day at the home OF her
son, Charles H. Abel, OF South Main
street, and family, with whom she makes
her home. Mrs. Abel is in excellent
healtl, but her sight is very much i'm
pared.
To-day Mrs. Abell received large
number OF birthday cards, letters and
messages at her home and special pro-
gram was arranged by the members OF
the Methodist Episcopal church, of which
she is the Oldest member She remcm-
bers when the church was built.
This afternoon Rev. John Wriston, pas-
tor OF the church, offered PRAYER, and this
was followed by piano duet by the
Misses Bessie and Grace Fairbanks. Mrs.
Abell then recited "A Birthday Poem,
which was sent her some time ago by
friend in California. At the close Of tins
brief program many friends greeted Mrs.
Abell and extended their congratulations
and good wishes. Refreshments were,
served in the dining room by Mrs. c. g.
AbelI. the wife of Mrs. Abell's grandson,
Doctor Abell, of this place. She was as
sisted by the Misses Fairbanks.
"While am afflicted in not being able
to see to read" said Mrs. Abel, II am
blessed in being able to read IRON mem
! orv. | can read many chapters from the
Bible entirely from memory
| Mrs. Abel was born in the town OF
Enosburg, one of II children OF Mr.. and
| Mrs. BENJAMIN Rice. One brother died AZ
the age Of 33 years while serving IN the
army. This was the first death IN the
family. After the marriage OF Harriet
Rice to Calvin Abel, the two went to
Sheldon to reside, and there Mr.. Abel
died March %, 1890. About 22 years ago
Mrs. Abel came to this village with her
son and family with whom she has made
her home.
OF the family OF II brothers and sis
ters only one beside Mrs. Abel survives,
brother. Rev. George G. Rice OF Coun-
oil Bluffs, la, 95 years old. Ten years
AGO. when Mrs. Abel celebrated her eOth
anniversary. three others were living,
HOPKINS Rice Of Enosburg, then s. years
! old who died about five years ago: Mrs.
w c. Barnes of Bakersfield at that time
81 wears old, who died about four years
ago. and DIR. John Rice of Pomona, Sal'
then 7s wears old. One other sister, Mrs.
/ Martin Holvoke of Boston, lived to the
good age of a2 years. :,
Mrs Abel has two children, Charles ~.
Abell of this village, and Mrs. y. -
ROLES of Los Angeles, CAL; also nine
grandchildren and eight great grandchll-
dren One of the grandchildren, DIR. {. q.
Ahell. is a practicing physician IN thls
town Another, Roy II. Abel, 81 years
old. died last fall OF infantile para Nsis.
Two of the great grandchildren, Elizs-
he,h and Eleanor Abel, live in this VII
lage. -, A..
Mrs. Abell's father came TO this town
srom Rrattleboro in 1907 when this coun-
ltyv was a near wilderness and markell
,rces were the only guide for travellers.
Ve took a farm in Enosburg and Y is m
re possession Of the Abel family yet.
Roth father and mother were hard work
ers .
an those davs. said Mrs. Abel, "fu'-
n,tnre WAS practically all home made.
and We didn't have as many dishes as
people 10 nowadays. but we had more on
them. The staple foods were pork Po-
tatoes and home grown grains. J never
saw a piece of candy or other s"eet :
meats The chief delicaeies were beech
nuts and butternuts."
The only dolls were home -ade onss'
There were no matches OF stoves. only
6replaces and II a family lost their hre
thev must travel 20 a neighbors and
borrou Goals. The clothing was home
made wool and linen which had been
dvea spun. and woven. Mrs. Abel vas
considered an expert weaver Inc boys
trousers were cut hong with an added
tpek AZ the bottom. The bcd linen and
l,able linen Were also home made, A. we're
a.. espdIes. and Mrs. Abell recalls max %
me 81 or 90 dozen candles 81 time. -
vss great event when the frst oil lamp
vas purchased a. bakersfield - years
Tha srh5el privileges we're decidedly
if,,r4tfH Mrs. Ahali's father opened hts
49,. far tbe first school. where Some p
~ aa pupih gathered and learned TIE
Itt-.s ~ The tsacher's e8uoatinn vas
ls,e,ssinrlr isnned. but q he kept tAe
i,.,rs wrii athrasied~ De- passed as . god
,asstsr The pupils vere nslslls taken
II, ..io,f - e. atsied in winter. nne -
itt. tasfhers specially beloved was ~.
Horass Eatan Who later hecnms govern
- ~ Nsrmsft - sas relate8 % tha
ahn famIy hF mariarf-
tt.estas ana urars urrn wrf une1ru FTlss7
- theas fsFs Mrs tlsN rerekis hfaf-
ur = fesf coming thrgFEh tlaf iaisl.rs
I-t.e 49, uas terrr rg amf slN heat e
Itsstf -.trast to the huuse
Tas nr HfFe drrnat ura rsrnlsf
.tt.aH.rfs - lrurfh Mrs. Ats refaits
- h~-s.f,+t 1aehnf tsT Hfhw ana
~. 49, Is Aura ani iistHrne tr ths
ta Iarr rrarfrs nul Aarz nlHfs.
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De- fEass aars rhrrnf HfrF 80
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write
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