The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-05-12
In Columbus By Mother Ut
A. B. Henderson
CENTENARIAN STILL HALE
And Thoroughly Enjoys Elaborate
Exercises of the Day--200
Guests Extend Best Wish.
es to Aged Lady

With relatives and friends, many
from distant points, present to con
gratulate her and join in celebrating
her one hundredth birthday anniver-
sary, Mrs. Mary Ann Henderson yes
terday was honored with a unique
birthday party at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Peters, 1865
Summit street, says the Columbus
Journal.
Seated on a flower-covered dais,
with floral pieces surrounding, she
welcomed 200 guests during the day.
For each one she had smile. cordial
greeting and hearty handshake. De-
spite the strenuous day, she was not
fatigued when evening came, and the
Republican Glee Club closed festivi-
ties by singing several selections.
AS Mrs. Henderson's special guests
we're two nearly as old. One was
Mrs. Catherine Bright, 54 Gift street,
who will be 100 years Of age month
hence. The other, Mrs. Mary Dunlap
of Chillicothe, grandmother of Rem
ick w. Dunlap, former secretary Of
the state board of agriculture, is 9S
years of age.
Brief exercises at noon started the
fete. Mrs. Peters read a poem, writ
ten by herself for the occasion. Then
Mrs. Henderson herself led in recit-
ing the Lords prayer in a strong,
clear voice Her pastor, Rev. DR.. r..
l.. Rexford, read a poem, which he
closed with an expressive prayer. So
impressive were the tributes paid
Mrs. Henderson that tears were in
the eyes of nearly everyone.
After dinner, which the honored
guest and her two aged friends rel
ished as much as anyone, Mrs. Hen
derson mounted her parlor throne,
and the Glen Echo Child's Welfare
club, represented by so young women
heaped flowers into her lap. AS they
passed, the venerable woman patted
each one on the hand to show her ap-
probation
She was dressed ip white satin
gown which was made four years age
for her to wear as maid of honor at
the wedding of her youngest grand
daughter. A fall, in which she sus
tanned broken hip for the second
| time, prevented her from attending
the wedding.
Mrs. Henderson has expressed de
sire to be buried in this gown.
Despite her age, she reads without
glasses, her hearing is good, anC
voice Is steady. Breakfast is her bis
meal of the day, she says, although
she eats heartily at the other TIVE
meals. She SCOTS at the idea of cof
fee being harmful, and frequentl.
drinks two cups at the morning meal
In a reminiscent mood, Mrs. Hen
derson recalls how her parents, whel
she was a girl, moved from Kentuck
to Logan county. SO Wild was tn
country then, that women of the PAL
ty were left at Urbana for protectio
from Indians and beasts, while tn
men went forward and made read
homes. She claims lineage from tn
Vikings, the North Europe rovers VIII
are said to have visited North Ame
lea before Columbus day.
After her marriage in 1912. Mrs
Henderson and her husband came
Galloway to live on farm for owe
half century. Her husband die'
lacking two months of being 9S yeal
of age. She came to Columbus 81
years ago to live with Mrs. Peters,
Three other children are livini
They are Mrs. Il. W. Cummings, 25s
East avenue, Mrs. NJ, NJ. Mohit
Washington, ID, c., and A. d, Hende
son, Mt. Vernon She has Il gram
children and eight great-grandchi
dren.
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