THE OLDEST LIVING MAN.

Evening Star, Issue 4115, 5 May 1876, Page 3

THE OLDEST LIVING MAN.

A correspondent writes to the ‘ Washington Chronicle ’ thus :—“ You recently published an account of a revolutionary soldier 1U years old, which influences me to write the following account of old Fortune Snow, who is 126 years of age. I visited him on the 9th of July, 1862, and learned from him his story. When I, in company with a friend, approached the house, a fifteenth amendment, 62 years old, came out and said his “ grandpapa ” was in the house. Snow soon made his appearance, tripping down the steps as nimbly as a boy, without even a stick. He said he was born in Georgetown, S.C., and was 25 years old when the revolution began. He was married at 20, and became the father of thirteen children, the youngest of whom, a daughter, 53 years of age, died two years ago. He belonged to Capt. Snow, who served under General Marion. Old Fortune served with his master through the war. He moved from South* Carolina to near Mobile, and lived there near five years. At the death of Captain Snow, he gave a Mr Chapman, his son-in-law, 500 dols. to support Old Fortune the balance of his days. This man lived 47 years and died, and left the old negro still hale and hearty. On examination with the ophamoscope, I found his eyes perfect in all their parts. The otoscope revealed a healthy condition of the organs of hearing. He told me that he went totally blind %t the age of about ninety, and remained so for about two years. His hair* white as wool, all came out. Subsequently his sight returned, and a new growth of hair made its appearance, which is now about half gray. He never suffers with toothache, nnfc having an unsound tooth in his mouth. He enjoys good health, never wore spectacles, nor took a dose of medicine from a doctor. I opened his Bible at the Bth chapter of the book of Revelations, which he read loudly and distinctly without glasses. He says he loves to fish and hunt, and can shoot birds and squirrels without the aid of glasses. He reads his Bible and prays a good deal. He has been strongly urged to go to the Centennial, but has refused all solicitations, and says if the folks want to see him “ let ’em. come.”