Putnam patriot., 1921-09-16
JAMES THOMPSON, AGED lOl,
 WIFE 97, TAKE AUTO TRIP
RIDE THROUGH PUTNAM SATURDAY.-HAVE LIVED TO- CIPHER FOR SEVENTY-SIX YEARS.-FoR MORE
 THAN FIFTY YEARS IN KiLLINGLY.
Both Have Had Good Health Entire Life and Still Retain Mental
 Alevtness and Use of Faculties

Through Putnam Saturday. boand for Thompson, rode James Thompson. aged l0l years. and his a7-year=old wife, in an automobile Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were being taken by Dr. Clarence Capron ef Norwich, a friend of the family, on a little outing which included an inspection of this city
 For nearly 76 years have the aged couple lived together ia surprisingly goed health More than a half een- tury of this time has been spent in the town of killinsly, where they still reside.
 Today Mr and Mrs. Thompson may be found at Che home of their only daughter Mrs Edward Blackburn. Dayviile. glad t1 receive visitors and talk with them al any time They are both able to be about and have retain ed the full Use of their faculties eN- cept that Mrs Thompson has become somewhat deaf They both read with cut glasses and Mrs Thompson does alarming and other kinds of sewing for her daughter
 Both are eonversant with the news of the day and have very definite and l pronounced opinions about what is happening in this country as well as abroad Talk with Mir. Thompson about the Irish question and you will find that he Is by no means out of l touch with current events. He orig inally came from the north of Ireland. Al the time of the last election he grieved much that he had never taken out his naturalization papers. because due to this neglect, he says, he was not qualified to vote.
 The couple sit most of the day in the kitchen of the Blackburn home, where a Patriot reporter found them this week Mrs. Thompson. in spite of her 97 years. Is generally sewing and helping her daughter in this way although her fingers of late have be. come somewhat cramped and crippled with age On the other side of tho stove sits her husband reading the pa per or talking with his daughter His speech is somewhat hesitating and hi. memory q bit defective. but his mind ] is by no means past it's usefulness
 They greeted the reporter in a cheerful and friendly spirit and with the help Of the daughter, Mrs. Black burn, told their story Mr. Thompson complained a hit of not feeling so vel af late. His limbs had been botherinp him and he had been having spells when he didn't feel so good. But al through his life. the reporter was ais sured. he had not had more than on' day in bed. Mrs. Thompson. accord ing to the daughter, had never lai5 down during the daytime in her life
 The couple came to this countr, about three-quarters of a century ago Prior to that time Mr Thompson ha' been working in small town in thu north of Ireland at tailoring. He has been taught his trade by an eldei brother after the death of their moth CT.
 The two young immigrants arrived in Philadelphia after a six weeks voy age in sailing vessel. full of ambi tion and looking forward with higl hopes to successful career in thi country. With them came a baby They had been married about q year The young foreigner was in goo. health and ambitious, and by har, striving had soon developed a smal tailoring establishment in the Quake City.
 Then came the Civil War. Mir Thompson had never taken out hi naturalization papers and was loatl to leave his young wife and family tS enlist. it could think of no way they could 1e supported if he left, and. ai his daughter said. 'he has always beer good husband and father" Bushes. went from bad to worse and the fam 1 fly moved north. where they settled if Kilingly
 Mir. Thompson at first worked on [ farm, as he could find no other work In time things looked brighter and hs obtained employment in a tailoring  shop in Danielson. There he worked | for several decades until he finally obtained employment as janitor of tn, grammar school.
 About 17 years ago, when he wa s4 years cid. he fell down stairs anl ! 1t was at first thought he had broker his neck But the injury was found not serious, although it was thought advisable for him Co discontinue work His wife. about the same time. broke her wrist. and SO the old couple came to live with their daughter, Mrs Blackburn. They have lived with hei ever since
 Mr. and Mrs Thompson have had seven children, four of whom are liv, ing The children living are: Thom. as. mill foreman of Elmville; John a lace manufacturer of Fitchburg Mass. Mrs. Blackburn, the only daughter; and William. q merchant ai