Submitted by Peg JONES
CELEBRATES ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES FROM WAYNE ATTEND BIG CELEBRATION IN EVANSVILLE
Henry Harold Cain of Evansville has seen his ninety-ninth Christmas and his ninety-ninth New Year's day, for he was 100 years old Saturday, Jan.3rd. Mr. Cain was well known in northwestern Wayne. On his birthday his family gave him an elaborate birthday party and dinner, inviting many of his friends and relatives from other cities. Those attending from this community were: Eli Barnard, John Barnard, Wm. Barnard, Clarence Barnard and Ardie Barnard.
An article taken from the Evansville Press concerning Mr. Cain appears on page 4 of this issue.
HISTORY OF MR. CAIN
The Evansville Press gave the following article concerning Mr. Cain.
Cain, who is in remarkable health for his age, is a native of Warrick county. He was born January 3, 1831, on a farm two and one-half miles south of Boonville, and spent most of his life as a farmer there, retiring in 1897 following the death of his wife. Since that time he has made his home in Evansville with one of his three surviving children, Mrs. Lida Wilder, who at present resides at 1507 North Main street. The other two children are Dr. Daniel B. Cain and Mrs. Rachel Williams both of Evansville.
MIND REMARKABLY CLEAR
Few there are who keep so firm a hold on this life for 100 years as Cain has, and even fewer are they that keep any of their natural teeth for that length of time. It was only a few days ago that the last two teeth in Cain's jaws began to pain him. So he called his son, Dr. Cain, who is a physician and not a dentist, to come and perform the extraction for him. Dr. Cain has done all of his father's too pulling when it has had to be done. Aside from sore gums the extraction has caused the aged man little inconvenience.
The man's mind is remarkably clear, and he who has seen so much to remember, forgets little. Cain recalls his first trip to Evansville from Boonville when he was a small boy. Evansville consisted of a tin shop, a print shop and a grocery store, in addition to a tobacco warehouse, at the time.
USED OXEN AND SLEDS
The journey, which required one day each way, was a big event in the life of a farm boy in those days. Three yokes of oxen, six animals in all, drew the sled (wagons were seldom seen) which was loaded with 300 pounds of tobacco, the sale of which was the occasion for the trip. Cain tells of the liquor brawls in Boonville he saw as a child. When questioned with regard to prohibition, he indicates a belief that temperance is a better solution to the liquor problem.
The first president Cain voted for was Franklin B. Pierce, in 1852, and the last presidential candidate he voted for was Al Smith two years ago. He boasts of being one of the hottest democrats that ever walked, never having voted anything but the straight ticket.
HENRY HAROLD CAIN
Cain married a childhood sweetheart, Ellen Hudson, with whom he had gone to school. Nine children were born, of whom only three are still living. There are 23 living grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren. Cain himself was one of a family of nine children.
As a young man he taught school for a short time near Boonville for $1 daily, and paid his own board. He tells of the home made “galluses” his pupils wore. All they consisted of were two strips of cloth with button holes in each end. Cain served as bailiff of the Warrick county court for six years. He has been a member of the General Baptist church for more than 75 years.
Until about one year ago, when his sight went bad on him, Cain had been a constant reader of the Evansville Courier for many years. He now is able to perceive only vaguely the things about him. He hears perfectly, however.
SPENT MUCH TIME IN PARK
Cain suffered two light strokes of paralysis several years ago, but except for the last three years had been able to go about town as he pleased. Until two years ago he spent almost every day of pleasant weather in Garvin park, where he made many friends.
Speaking of the Christmas days of long ago, Cain said they were great affairs, with the “long” dinners as the feature. They were called long dinners, he says, because they were eaten at long tables heaped with good things.
When asked what he would like to have for dinner on his birthday, Cain responded, “Catfish”.
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