Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-06
Aged Auburn Woman Recalls
The Days of Simple Living


Me- recently celebrated her 9Sd
birthday, surrounded by her children
and friends. She is remarkable
lady for her age She was born in
Stevens Mills at the time when that
section was part OF Mlnot ana
wholly devoted TO farming. She IL
without question the oldest living
person born in that section. Her
husband. who was prosperous
farmer. died "A years ago. She never
remarked.
Mr. and Mrs. Sevens were the par
ents of II children and OF these
six are still living. They are Mar
shall Stevens of Tampa, FLORIDA;
Fannie. wife of r. VI. Bickford, Mar
shall, Missouri: +. NJ. Stevens OF Au-
burn, Eva, wife OF Horace Peniey'
Auburn; Ella, wife OF &. n. Hodge
Tampa Florida. and Elmer, the son
with whom she now lives on Ashe
street.
1t was more than 80 years ago that
Mrs. Stevens and her son, Elmer.
came into the city 10 live. Stevens
husband and il was hard to leave the
old home for the city. but she accom-
modated herself TO the situation. and
soon made a. new circle OF friends
while not neglecting the friends OF
her youth Wherever she has lived
she has made many friends, although
strictly a lover of home and family.
With her son. Elmer, she now lives
4 quiet and retired life and still
manages her household affairs Con-
sidering her great age she is still in
good health and with a memory and
intelligence that are remarkable. Her
interest in public affairs is still keen
and active, and she loves To talk OF
the old days. She SAYS. Il have seen
many wonderful changes in my day.
When | was q child stoves were UNI
known. The potatoes were baked in
the ashes of big fireplace and the
bread in the old tin baker TalloV
candles were used for lighting pur-
poses to go down cellar, but the blny-
ing pitch pine knots would give
plenty of light for the room The
old loom and spinning wheel furn-
as fancy articles were not required
in the old days.
The methods of living were very
simple when | was child. Luxuries
We're practically unknown in dress or
eating. The farm produced most of
the food but West India goods could
be had at the country store. For
amusements We had the old fash -
toned spelling schools and these were
helpful for the Young. Then in the
season we had the apple pairing bee
and the huskings in the big barn.
Great piles of corn would be lined up
on the sides and the boys and girls
would sit and husk while merry jokes
would be cracked. When the corn
was all husked a supper would be
served and the affair wind up with
a kitchen dance The old fiddler sit
ting in the corner would reel off Old
Keep Coon and Fishers Hornpipe.
while the dancers tripped the light
fantastic toe
Il always liked to watch them, al
though | never danced myself
After the tallow candles went by
We I'thn bllc oltl idIiip lOT bul
now the electric light has come.
Doesn't il seem queer that have
them in this home? Our rides were
then taken with the farm horse but
now my son has an auto. was a
bit scared to ride in it at first but do
not mind ii now. ! think. however.
| should be frightened to go in an
airplane. At any rate have no dis
position to try that method of travel
ing. 1t shows what wonderful
changes have taken place in n single
life. and these changes are still 60
ing on.
20. yes, on the whole my life has
been happy. My children are very
good and kind to me- and that means
everything in this world Do YOU
know that yesterday | went up to the
home of my daughter. Mrs. Penley.
and took dinner? We rode in the
auto and | enjoyed il very much. SO
YOU see that my birthday is extend
ing over two days. am glad you
have come in, but you know / do not
care for great publicity" And the
venerable lady laughed at the idea of
seeing her name in the paper.