THE OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue VII, 20 November 1889, Page 2

THE OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD

» . . The oldest man m the civilised world, it may bo eaid with reasonable safety ( is Nugy Feromz, a pcasunt m Baron, Hungary. He was boru iv tiedrohtly, 121 years ago next September. He passed his boy hood on tbe iittl« farm of hla parents. Ho was not un OBpeolally robust child. He could not haul and split wood, pitoh hay, and time colta, as could bis three strapping brothers who died half a aeatury «go. His father regarded him with disfavour because he could not do more than a peasant woman's work, md did not earn enough to pay fop his food. &X thß age of 19, however, Nagy suddenly developed into a phenomenally muscular man. His cheet widened, hu arms aad legs hardened, and hia girth ir, creased. He became a famous local wrestler, and did moro work m one diy than most peasants near Hedrohely did ia two Jaat 100 years ago lutt May ho 101 l m love with tha donghter of an innkeeper? Shn promised to marry him on July 31st, 1789. Two day a tefore \ho marriage day aha jilted him f.;r his best friend Sinae then Nagy has been a woman hater. He ntver loved another woman. Fouryoara later ho went to the war of the first coalition. For the twenty succeeding years he was almost constantly nnder armp, m camp, or on the battle field. He was one of the victors under Archduke Carl of Austria, at Wetzlar, and one of the vanquished at Marengo and Hohenlinden, He helped tbe Arohduke to win the victory of Aspern, and he did his best to save the Auetrlana from defeat at Wagram. On the second day of tbe battle at Leipeic he got a bullet m his leg, and tbrae more In bis hat. He saw tbe Archduke Oarl many times. He saw Napolaon onoe and Blaohee p.nce, Nagy'a boyhood was li^ed"'^^ before the days of oompajsory pduoitioD, co be neveip learned to keep a diary or write tnemolra. He bai an Immense, fund of anoedotea, however, whioh Is at the aervloe of anyone with bn' ( f an hone to spare at Bwos. The children of the town have beard from him every week; for m»*iy yeara the ator|e« of <jho, f^otyi charges, t\egcn, »net oampal^os In whioh he has participated, The great event of hia life, he was b\* attendance on the Janoral o| bis; dead Quood, MarU Thereaa, ago, Aubongh but 12 yeafß o,ld tUen, he was Ueasurod up for more than a oentury evory detail of the procession and burial, Nfigy Ferenez la penniless, bub he Is not a boggae nor a public qbarge. A eoorp or moro of families m Barpa are' toady to give him food, oiothing, and ahelter. He takes aU bis meals with seven fsmlliee, whom hoi haa knovrn for 50 year*. Each one entertains him ona day In the woek. between mea^ he walks from, house to hoqao, chatting with all the men i*-- 3 ohildran vrhpcj he moeti. J** 2 n^^°. ae ha--*not ra for y gotten tD» fc _- ouog woman that j Uted h|m one oontary ago. After enoh meal he amokee a pipeful of strong tobaooo. He hat been smoking throe plpefuls of strong tobaooo a day for the last 104 years. He ii fond of bis wine and aa occasional beer Tbe friends with whom he dines give him evory day 100. with which to buy tobaooo and liquor. Nagy Feronez is a sturdy, oontented, amiable old m;m. Hia health la good. M(a mind ia fairly oloar. He has plenty of friends, and all tho money he wants for smoking and drinking. He looks well and happy as he ia. Ha has clear, dark eyes, oloan out, regular features, a smooth, bronzod skin. Ho haa a bushy head ot vrhlto hair, and a heavy white mouabnohe. Ho 1b oroot and quick In his movements. He is sorupulonely neit In his person. He looks to bo übout 70 or 75 years old.