New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
OLD FOLKS HAPPY
In HEBREW HOME
Blind Woman, Who Lives
in Past, Still Plans for a
Wedding Day
INNATE, sc, BOASTS
HE THREADS NEEDLES
Groups Welcome Guests
at Annual Celebration
and Meeting

From Miss Maria Dlas, who at eighty
years OF age is still planning for her
wedding, to Kalman Bach, who cele-
brated his birthday, there was not one
Of the 336 inmates Of tho Home for
Aged and Infrm Hebrews, at 121 West
105th Street, who did not welcome,
with smiles, those who came TO attend
the annual meeting and celebration OF
the institution yesterday.
Miss Dias, it is true. could not leave
the ward in which she is conined-for
she is blind but shook hands with
all those who called.
"Who an T." asked Mrs. NJ Pollat-
chek, wife of the superintendent. you
know ! told you wouldn't give you a
present If you forgot
LET me see,' replied the aged wom-
an. 81 know; know. You're Mrs.
Sapolio."
"She always calls me Mrs. Sapolio,"
remarked Mrs. Pollstchek "You are
eighty years old now, aren't youl" she
asked
Il am not; I am not" replied Miss
Dias, tartly. "I'm only twenty. and
I'm going 70 be married soon.'
"When?
"Just "a soon as my eyes get little
better"
"She has been saying that for ten
years" explained Mrs. PollatcheS,
land she never will see again
Superintendent Wife Is MAMA
Over in the mems wing, the super
intendent's wife was greeted as
Mama"
Kalman Bach always celebrates his
birthday on the day of the annual
mseting. 1t may have been his birth
day and II may not. All that he can
remember is that he was born in 1S2O.
"But ] don't have TO wear glasses
and can still thread a needle" he
boosted. "See, my hand is just as
steady as when | used TO hold the
razor
His hand trembled but little.
81 was one of the best BARRIERS in
the country" he went on. 81 was a
good barber IN Prussia before ! came
to this country in 1881. After that |
was employed in many of the biggest
hotels. | shaved many famous men.
but can't remember names any more.
Down the corridor came a man IN q
wheel chair which he was propelling
himself. -,
ooh. Mrs. Pollatchek, you should
have seen me walkingl" he exclaimed
as enthusiastically as a child.
eve just gave him pair OF artificial
legs" she explained.
II took twelve steps on them" he
continued, land tomorrow | shall take
thirteen. Before long shall be walk
ing"
Loss of Legs Ends Travel
ANY name is Albert Klein" he told
a reporter, land I'm sixty years old.
l have travelled from one end OF TINS
country to the other with some OF the
biggest theatrical companies in the
country. ] was a master stage car
penter until my legs went back on me
and had TO be taken of. ! remember
when the footlights were gas lights
and when we used TO have to PICK up
actors in the various towns to fill out
the casts"
And there was Simon Lewis, ninety
EIGHT wears old; Henry Klein, eighty
seven. and Carl Epstein, who at sew
enty-four has charge OF a ware, not 10
mention Siegel, the sifty-seVeh-year-
old elevator boy
But one Of the most interesting hg.
ures was Dr. S. Newton Leo. son OF
Mrs. Hannah Leo, founder of the home,
Who has served as physician TO the IN,
mates for forty-siX years. lie studleu
u GUYS and three other hospitals IN
f.ondon. as well as in Berlin, vienna
Zone, Madrid and other cities. no
ierved as a surgeon IN the ooth hegl-
nent and as surgeon IN the navy
"Our report shows that the average
,re Of those who died during the iasS
ear was IS years 4 months and .
laws" he said. "You know they arc
,ot admitted here until they are slAtE
gears old. There are thirty past ninety
ears Of age and fifty between elghg
md ninety. Many who have come mere
rave at times been wealthy and there
are various professions represented, IN
GLIDING teachers, lawyers and doctors
Broken Heart Causes Death
"There was a man here whose name
wont mention. but who before the
Civil War owned a feet of merchant
qhips in the South. He lost everything
and finally came here. One day
wealthy old woman came here 20 visit
lie broke down and became in over the
shock Of seeing her. lie told me ne
had recognized her as the woman who
had promised 20 become bis wife. She
broke the engagement, he declared,
when he lost everything. lie was never
right after that and died soon after
ward. II was a case Of broken heart.
Then there was Mrs. Cynthia Froise,
who was prima donna. and was pre-
sented with a lavalliere by the late
Emperor Francis Joseph. She became
poorer and poorer, and finally had 70
sell her Jewels in order to live. She
came here only after she had sold the
gift of the Emperor, the last posses
sion" .,
There are about fourteen married
couples in the home who occupy spe-
cjal quarters. Edward Lauterbach and
Louis Stern, of Stern Brothers, were
among those who attended the meeting.
The treasures report showed a deficit
of S23.636.43, but legacies and requests
amount to $4,000 The total disburse-
ments for the year amounted 20 $751;
1857. julius BALM was reelected
president.