How to Live Long, Told by Eleven Men.
What is the secret of long life? Probably there is no question that has so many answers, nor such a variety of answers. But it’s still the big question. The other day eleven recipes for long lives were given at a dinner at Amarillo, Texas, held in honor of the Reverend James Cunningham, celebrating his ninetieth birthday. The guests were veterans of the Confederacy, whose ages ranged from seventy-five to eighty-one, and each told briefly of the manner of living that had enabled him to reach old age and retain good health and vigor.
In substance, the recipes provide for hard work, fresh air, outdoor living, the avoidance of trouble and worry, good humor, plenty of sleep, temperance, and the avoidance of tobacco.
“For fifty years my habits have been regular,” said Doctor Cunningham. “Before that time I was careless. Then I went outdoors and engaged in farm work. The change was marvelous, and I have exceeded the record for longevity that has appeared in other generations of the family.”
Captain W. W. Kidd has been a carpenter thirty-five years, and naturally has spent much of his time [{64}]out-of-doors. Regular habits and care of his health enabled him to pass the eighty mark. “My father lived to be ninety-eight,” he said, “and one of my grandmothers to be ninety-six. While long life runs in the family, I am sure that fresh air and plenty of exercise will make a man live a long time.”
J. L. Caldwell said that for fifty years he had not lived in a plastered house, and that he attributes to that fact much responsibility for his excellent health and long life. “Before I abandoned the plastered house,” he said, “I was in poor health, and after it I had no physical complaints worth mentioning. I have had exercise sufficient to keep up circulation.”
“I have always avoided worry and courted good humor,” said J. G. Hudson.
“I attribute my long life to my service in the army as a soldier,” said A. B. Kinnebrew. “Before entering the army I was sickly and weak. The camp life and marches and excitement recuperated me, and thereafter I enjoyed good health by being careful of my habits and eating.”
“I have lived temperately, eaten coarse victuals, and slept well, and these things have much to do with a man’s health,” said J. H. Rockwell. “There is something, too, in ancestry. My father lacked but four months reaching the century mark; another ancestor lived to the age of one hundred and seven. I have traced my ancestry back three hundred years, and find that a majority of them have lived beyond the age of eighty.”
“At the age of fourteen, when I left home,” said W. J. Patton, “I made a vow to myself never to use intoxicants or gamble. I have worked out-of-doors most of the time since the war, and much of the time have slept in the open. I have always taken plenty of exercise.”
J. M. White said he had never used tobacco and had always been temperate, and he believed those two facts were largely responsible for his reaching a ripe old age.
Richard Wren’s health was poor before he entered the army, but the change made him robust and strong, and he has enjoyed good health to this day.
D. L. Britain said hard work and regular and temperate habits had caused him to grow into a stout and happy old age.
“I have never had any trouble with my neighbors, and that means a lot in the matter of health,” said Doctor W. A. Lockett.
“Early to bed and early to rise has been my motto,” said J. H. Sowder. “Added to that I have been temperate, regular in my habits, and avoided things that might injure my health.”