Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-18
SO AND NO INVALID
Mrs. Elisabeth Roberts, Who Knits
Socks for President Wilson, Does
Not Believe in Being Idle

st. Adams, April 14.-Mrs. Elizabeth
Roberts, who came to this city a few
days ago from Brandon, quietly celebrated
her Goth birthday anniversary yesterday.
Mrs. Roberts is at present staying at
the st. Adams hospital, although she
is insistent in her assertions that she
is not an invalid. One seeing and visit
ing with her has no trouble In believing
that. The only difficulty Is in realizing
that "Auntie Roberts," as she is affec-
tionately called by many friends. has
almost reached the century mark. 1t
seemed best for her to go to the hospital
for a time, where she could have the
good care necessary. but after a time
she may make her home elsewhere in the
city.
Mrs Roberts was born in Lancaster
Mass, April 10, 1919. next to the eldest
of eight children of Mr.. and Mrs. Ephraim
Fales. and she is the sole survivor of
the family. One sister, Mrs. Martha
Fales) Farr, lived to be 90 years old.
dying about ten years ago. When the
subject of this sketch was nine years
old her parents moved to Clarendon, in
this State. and with the exception Of a
few years. after her marriage. when she
lived. in New York State, she has since
made her home in Vermont May TO-
1886, just after she was II years DID,
she was married to Almon c. Roberts
For a time she lived In Forestdale and
Brandon and a son, George W.. was born
In the former place. After living In
Plattsburgh year the family came to
st. Adams
Few il any houses had been built on
Bank street when Mrs. Roberts came to
st. Adams 70 years ago. She lived on
the corner Of Ferris and England streets.
now Lincoln avenue, at that time. and
her husband pastured his cow in the
section now known as Bank street above
High. She well remembers the big event
OF the first railroad train coming to
town over what at that time was called
the Vermont Central railroad. Everyone
In town was at the railroad station and
the occasion was one long remembered
by the people who witnessed 1t.
Mrs. Roberts son enlisted for service
during the Civil War, but was sent home
In three months on account of illness
and. although he lived to be nearly 80
years old. was never in good health. He
died In st. Adams and the death of Mrs.
Roberts husband also occurred here. A
few years later Mrs. Roberts went to
Parishville, N. Y, where she remained
eight or ten years, then moving to Bran
don. where she has since made her home
with niece, Mrs. NJ. j. Rolfe. The
latter Is about 81 years old and lives
with her son, George II. Rolfe, a well
known druggist in the town. In spite
or the fact that she moved away from
mere many years ago Mrs. Roberts has
always called st. Adams her home.
Il don't think ] shall live more than "a
years more" said "Auntie" Roberts this
morning. II feel we'll, but it bothers me
TO think CANT get around as used to.
When l get some glasses can get at NV
knitting again. l don't like to be idle. hut
l broke my glasses while ago. | expect
TO have some new ones in few DAYS and
then can work" Mrs Roberts has made
several pairs of socks and wristers for
the soldiers and It will be remembered
that she recently sent President Wilson
pair of socks with red. white and
blue tops and toes.
i've had all the war ! want" she said.
III they'd kill off the old Kaiser |
wouldn't care. I'd like to live to see that
day He's made lots of trouble and he's
still at 1t. This is the most cruel war l
ever heard Of or thought Of or anyone
else ever thought of. 1t seems to me they
are pretty slow getting our men started
anywhere. but ! suppose there Is some
good reason for II. think the President
Is too tender hearted man. He doesn't
like to night"
Mrs. Roberts has q great-great-nephew