The St. Louis Republic St. Louis, Mo. Aug. 22, 1900 Oldest Person In St. Louis Is Dead Funeral of Mrs. Mary SVOBODA Today Will Be Attended Today By 125 Descendants Head of Five Generations Mrs. Mary SVOBODA, the oldest person in St. Louis and the head of five generations of descendants numbering more than 125, died at her home at No. 1904 South Seventh street, Monday afternoon. Her age was reputed to be 108 years, though the exact number of years is not certain. By some of her grandchildren she was thought to be older, while others believed her nearer the century mark. She herself could not remember, save that she was a young girl in the time of Napoleon's supremacy in Europe. Two months ago the old lady slipped and fell as she was making her way into the alley in the rear of her house. At the time it was thought she had only slightly injured her leg, but she became gradually weaker until death came. Mrs. SVOBODA has lived in the house of South Seventh street for almost fifty years. During the Civil War and in the fifties this house was surrounded by spacious lawns, but in the interval houses have been built all around and even in front of it, crushing it into the narrowest possible quarters. Despite the changes, Mrs. SVOBODA has remained in the old place. Mrs. Mary WESELEY, her daughter, who also is very old, and John HEITMAN, a grandson, have lived with her since she came to America. The exact date when she left her birthplace, Bohemia, and came to the United States is not known, but, according to her grandchildren, it must have been more than sixty years ago. She was then a widow and had four children, one son and three daughters. The son is still living in Bohemia. Two of the daughters are Mrs. WESELEY and Mrs. Katerina DRISKA of 1846 South Eleventh street, this city. The third daughter is dead. On landing in America, Mrs. SVOBODA came directly to St. Louis, and here she has been ever since, never being outside of the city. She remarrierd, but devoted her duties as housekeeper to the last and resented any interference with them. This work seemed to give her a special pleasure, and after the injury she received had forced her to take to her bed, she seemed particularly depressed because she was helpless and could not do her accustomed work. The two months previous to her death were the only time she had ever been sick in her entire long life. While she was living her quiet existence on Seventh street her children's children married and had children of their own, and their children married and had offspring. The descendants of the old lady multiplied so that neither she nor any one of her children or grandchildren could tell just how many there were. A count once made brought the figure to 125, but this was not all inclusive, as there were the descendants of the son in Bohemia yet to be counted in. Some eight of her grand and great grandchildren were holding a wake last night at the SVOBODA home. The funeral will take place this afternoon, and, as all the relatives probably will attend, it will be of unusual proportions.