Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1884 — An Interesting Letter from an aged man. [ARTICLE]

An Interesting Letter from an aged man.

The following letter fio<ai Dr. James Ritchey, a man who laeks but four years of being as old as the 19th century, will take an added interest from being the production of so venerable a person. It was intended for our last issue but was received too late for publication at that time: Mr. Editor; One the 6th of June just past I completed my 80th year. Just half of my children, two grand children and some other friends came to my house in the morning. After all were in, my son handed me a large paper box, saying it contained a present to me, from my children and directed me to open it. I did so and there found a nice suit of clothes,- coat, vest and pants. I thanked them and enjoyed the social family chat till dinner time, when we had an excellent Turkey dinner of which we all partook heartily. Before this I had to change my clothes and doff my new suit. They fitted me neatly and 1 presume I appeared well in my new clothes. The day passed off pleasantly till evening when we heard of the nomination of Blaine for President and we concluded my Birthday and Blaine’s nomination would made the 6th of June, 1884 a marked day in history. A few days after this I received a letter from an old acquaintance and friends in Martinsville, Indiana r relation to a subject in which he supposed we were both interested. I answered his letter and gave him an account of the celebration of my birthday as I have done here. On yesterday I got a reply from him, congratulating me for the Grand day at the Ritchey House, Rensselaer, with a meeting of friends; the fine suit, the rich Turkey dinnei and the remarkable nomination of Blaine, making “a grand day never to be forgotten.” He then says, “well the 18th has come and gone and some pleasant things occured.” I should have said at the start that he and I have the same name, (James Ritchey), were both born in the year 1804 and in the month of Jnne but not on the same day. I on the 6th and he on the 18th. He states that he got a letter from his son in St. Paul, Minn., asking him to set out for “20 years more”. He and his wife ate their dinner alone. It seemed a little lonesome. As it drew, near dark, a few of the neighbors came in. In a little while the parlor was comfortably filled. “I went out on a few of my boy stories and closed by saying I had lived in a Golden Age.” He says, “At this juncture a gentleman approached me, saying he had a present fdr me, which he had been requested to hand to me, dropped into my hand, what I supposed was SL, I closed my hand, thanking him. My wife said, “where is your speech?” Someone said, “bettor see what you have got.” I opened my hand and there lay “Four double Golden Eagles”, SBO, One for each year of my life. He says, “I was too full for utterance”. You must excuse me, I can’t speak. The surprise was complete. 1 had not had the last intimation of it. They gave Rim a list of the donors, 105 names, 55 of them gave one dollar each. No one Was allowed to give more. It was a token of respect and without regard to' religion or politics. Such instances of generous feeling ou the part of relatives and friends are so rare that I think their publication mjy be excused.

Very Respectfully,

James RiTciizY;

Although Mr. Alfred McCoy is probably the most reckless driver in seven counties, he seems to bear a cbni-jp.ed life, and unbreakable bones, and always comes out unharmed from every danger. On Mondayjmorning, for instance, himself and two other men got into a buggy, in front of the bank, and starting off with his Accustomed whoop and yell, he found that one of hislines was unsnapped (from the bridle. The horse started off like mad, and one of the men jumped out, McCoy and the other kept their seats and in next to no time they were across the bridge and out of sight. A crowd of men started after them expecting no doubt to enjoy melancholy pleasure of gathering Up the scattered fragments of a couple of prominent citizens, but they had not gone far before they met Me Coy driving back unharmed, cool and as though nothing had happened.