Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-17
81 YEARS CLERK.
WOMAN LIKES II
FEDERAL EMPLOYE At, CAPITAL
TELLS LIFE STORY
Attributes Health and Energy to
Simple life-Reaos Much,
Sleeps Little.

Washington, ID. c. Seated In
large leather arm chair in big sit
tiIg.room lined with book in hand
some covers, surrounded with how
ers. the tributes of friends, and
coy lamp on a reading table. Miss
partment of the Comptroller of the
Currency. told how she has struggled
ffty-two years TO get from $500 an
nually to $1,000, with never com
plant.
Before coming to Washington in
December 1854 said Miss Hyde, Il
taught school in Brattleboro. VT,
where | was born July 3, 1881. ! be-
gan teaching when was Is years old,
and taught IN several towns in Massa-
chusetts, as well as my home town. At
that time ! had no idea of ever com.
ing TO Washington, but one oav
Charles H. Field. y prominent attor-
ney, wrote telling me he had obtain
ed place for me in the treasury,
and to come to Washington as soon
as possible.
so just one year before the close
Of the Civil War, came TO this city
TO take up my work in tho treasury.
where have been for fifty.two years.
started al $500"
Miss Hyde remembers clearly the
assassination Of Presirent Lincoln
and the CONSERVATION ii caused.
Il saw President Lincoln's body
carried into the White House from
The windows of the treasury, after he
had died in the house on Tenth
street. she said Il saw the grand
review OF the Northern troops by the
President, which lasted two days"
Returning to the topic of her prog
ress in the treasury. Miss Hyde said
1T took me twenty years to get up
10 $1,000. | never asked for an in
crease, 'preferring my earnest efforts
and good record to speak for them
selves. At that time Q8S4) was do.
ing work which should have com
manded a higher salary, and was told
SO by the chief OF the division, but
did not get the higher salary"
Five years later" continued Miss
Hyde, Il was promoted to $l,400. That
was in 1889 AS the years rolled on
expected an increase at any mo-
ment, but it never came You can
imagine my surprise when ! was in
formed that had been promoted to
$1,000"
Miss Hyde stopped a moment to an
swer knock at the door, and maid
handed her large box of caramels
she placed them on the table and
smiled her appreciation
Miss Hyde will be So years old In
July. Her voice is still vigorous and
her hand steady
What do | attribute my good
health and energy tor Miss Hyde
asked in response to a question why
believe it is because | lead most
simple life. never go out, prcferring
to sit here and read You see what
large library have"
She pointed to bookcases filled
with books.
Another remarkable point Miss
Hyde made was the fact that she
never s0es 10 bed before II o'clock
and gets up at IN the morning. Il
find that don't need more than five
or six hours sleep, and never get up
feeling bad she said
When asked If she would like to re-
tire and take rest she said
"No, ! would rather continue work.
ing have always loved my work,
and II has always absorbed my entire
attention. Now that am all alone in
the world | would not know what to
do without it. My niece in Bo,ton
has repeatedly asked me to give up
my position and live with her, but |
would rather stay here"
Miss Hyde comes from hardy
family. Her father, she rays. lived
be IS years old. and her mother 80.
Uncle Eben.
,u 10. ,.ttu,J .uil III. IA