Editor R.E. Hays met with a peculiar accident last week in the
way of a spider bite on the back of his left hand, which has been put out of
commission by this tiny insect. It is yet causing considerable pain.
Mrs. Jim Yoak lost her hand satchel containing considerable
money and checks, but it was luckily found by Olive Bell of Annamoriah, who
promptly returned it after he found out who the owner was.
W.H. Bickel and Otto Lehman of Parkersburg have shipped an air
compressor to the Grantsville oil field, where they are establishing a plant for
the manufacture of gasoline from natural gas under a new process.
They will begin installing the necessary machinery in a building
that has already been prepared. They are satisfied that they will make a success
of their experiment. Many local people are interested in the outcome of the
experiment, as it is said that gasoline can be produced at much less cost by the
new process than by the old.
We saw a picture of a man diving off a bridge, several stories
above an ice-cold river, and the cutline below revealed that the man was 62.
On the same day, we read of an interview that newsmen had with
Sen. Jack Kennedy, who is running for U.S. president. Kennedy said that he did
not think age should be a determining factor in consideration of a candidate,
although he admitted that his age, 42, was something of a handicap in his bid
for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.
“A lot of men of seventy can’t write a letter, so doesn’t it
really come down to what the quality is of the candidate?” said Kennedy.
We agree. Thomas Jefferson was only 32 when he wrote the
Declaration of Independence. Some of history’s greatest men and leaders have
been under 40, or even 30, when they reached the zenith of their fame and power.
Pleading that one is too young to be able, or that one is so old before he is
entrusted with responsibility, is the last refuge of the elderly. It is a
defensive, negative view to which we do not subscribe.
Generally speaking, a person is only as old as he feels.
Spirit, a sense of well-being, exercise and an adequate diet are all important.
Perhaps a sense of well-being, or the “young as you feel” spirit, is the main
thing. Think young, and remain active, and you will probably live longer.