The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-09-05

that 102 years ago Ii received Off
cial fluctuations from the Chinese
government on the occasion of his one
hundred fiftieth birthday. and that
again. in 1877. the government con-
graduated him on passing the 200
year mark. He is further reported to
have found records showing that LII
was born in 1871"
Such are the reports which have
been widely published in our newspa-
have also resulted in discussions In
other publications which tend to dis
credit these stories and bring the
weight of scientific testimony to bear
out the belief that none of those men
toned are anywhere near the age
claimed for them. Recently the New
York World expressed it's doubt that
Faro Agha was 1856 years old and
quoted the chief actuary Of the New
York Life Insurance company to the
effect that no authentic record exists
of human life longer than 106 years.
"Centenarians are and have always
been extremely scarce. There were
only slightly more than 1000 people
in the United States in the last GEN.
sus who claimed to have attained that
age. But it is significant that of this
number almost 5000 were negroes;
close to 1000 negro women said they
were 100 years old or over. Although
negro females form only 8 per cent
Of the total population, they give the
country half it's centenarians!
ION its face, such a situation is
highly improbable. and while we are
not questioning the honesty of those
who make the claim, we strongly sus-
pect that in the great majority of
cases they are mistaken as to the ex-
act number of years they have lived.
Many of the old negro people are H.
literate. and nearly all Of them lack
authentic records giving the date Of
their birth.
"In fact, we find that wherever rec
ords are absent centenarians rise up
and flourish. Turkey and the Balkans
have long been a happy hunting
ground for centenarians. in spite of
the fact that conditions of life are
very hard and public health standards
are exceedingly low. The claims to
extreme old age are nearly always
appealing fictions.
I'm my opinion, authentic centenari-
ans are so few in America that they
can be counted on the fingers of ones
two hands,"
Perhaps most interesting of all Eau
thentic centenarians" which this coun-
try has ever known was Cornelius
Cole. In 1922 the New York Times
printed an interview with him In
which he is described thus:
in 1S47 young Cornelius Cole, then
twenty-four years old, received his
degree of bachelor of arts from Wes-
leyan university. A short time later
came rumors of the gold discovery in
California and with a half dozen
friends he set out to make his for
tune. In 1922, Cornelius Cole, sole
survivor of his class, preparing to
celebrate his hundredth birthday on
September II, received an invitation
from his alma mater to come to Mid
dletown. Conn, and receive an honor
airy LII. D. In spite of opposition from
friends and members Of his family
who thought the journey too arduous
for a centenarian, he came. bringing
with him recollections which went
back to the thrilling days of 40, and
an active legal life that included
friendship with Lincoln. a place in
both houses of congress, an interest
ing part in the purchase Of Alaska
to say nothing of live interests in
events of today.
Cornelius Cole, centenarian, for
mer senator from California and ma
tive Of Seneca county. New York,