30 Jan 1899 Page 1 A Birthday Dinner An Aged Navasotian Celebrates His Seventy-Fifth Year's End. Seventy-five years past yesterday, that spry old citizen of Navasota, Dr. J. P. Barnett, entered this world and began a journey over its meandering path that has been drawn well past the three score years and ten, with no indication that he has yet began to double back upon the course; on the contrary, all who know him feel sure he has many years yet to serve mankind in his laudable and charitable ways. The doctor was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1823, came to Texas in '53 and located in Navasota thirty-three years ago. It has been his custom for years to give what he calls a preachers dinner each anniversary of his natal day, to which he invites all the ministers of the city and a few friends besides; each year these affairs become more elaborate, until it would seem hard to surpass the affair of yesterday afternoon, and the party who there assembled could hardly entertain the slighted desire to sit down to a more bounteous spread, which was handsomely prepared and served by "Aunt Susan," the old colored housekeeper and servant, whose experience in this line entitles her to graduating honors. Those who enjoyed the hospitality were: Rev. Isaac Sellers, Rev. and Mrs. C. A. Hooper, Rev. and Mrs. Burrows, Rev. and Mrs. Henry Cox, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Craig, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. White, Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Bookman, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Felder, Dr. Mahon, of Hemptead [sic], and M. L. O. Andrews. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Mr. J. J. Felder, who was a jolly member of the party, on the same day commenced his sixty-fifth year; having first seen the light of day in South Carolina on January 29, 1838. ****************** Page 4 Personal Mention C. A. Taylor, of Apolonia, was here today. Geo. D. Neal went back to Austin this morning. Mis Genie Muldrow returned home from Waco yesterday evening. Major Riddick is on a few days' lay off, while Capt. Robert Smith is filling the vacancy. Eugene Sellers returned to Houston last night after spending Sunday with his parents. Miss Betina Jacobs returned from St. Louis last night, where she has been spending several months. W. A. Scott went to Calvert yesterday and brought back his little son and daughter, who had been visiting there. ********************* This afternoon a horse belonging to Robert Terrell mounted the sidewalk in front of Rowland Smith's, ran along to Wilson's corner; here an awning post that was tied to him fouled another post and he turned a somersault. The strange thing about the escapade being that no window or show case glass was touched. ****************** 31 Jan 1899 Page 4 Personal Mention Will Preston is in the city. Emanuel Harris went to Bryan today. C. W. Carr went to Bryan this morning. Lieut. Norwood went to San Antonio yesterday evening. Capt. Gordon Boone, went to Bryan on business this morning. Dr. Gulledge and wife, of Graball, were in Navasota today. Rev. R. W. Adams, of Willis, passed through Navasota yesterday going to Anderson. Rev. Isaac Sellers and family left last night for their new home in Abilene, going by way of Waco. Mrs. Geo. W. Start, who has been at Temple with her husband, returned to Navasota yesterday and will go back to Temple tomorrow. Mrs. F. S. Carter and children and Miss Marie Mistrot, of Bryan, were in the city last night, the guests of Capt. and P. A. Smith. They returned home this morning. ****************** An alarm of fire at 9:30 o'clock this morning called the department to Mrs. Rebecca Hyman's boarding house, where a flue was burning out. It was extinguished without the aid of the firemen, with no material damage resultant. **************** A German Last Night. The young gentlemen, of the Navasota German club, gave a dilightful dance in their spacious hall last night, which was well attended by those who enjoy such exhilarating and exercising entertainments. Those whom the EXAMINER's informant noted present were: Misses Marie Mistrot, of Bryan; Lena Wilson, of Fort Worth; Frankie Kauffman, of Palestine; _______ Lyons, of Indiana; Mattie Fisher, Cora Froehlich, Ira Blackshear, Beatrice Hearne, Irma Chinski, Mary Knox, Nita Camp, Nettie Brosig, Olla Wilson, Freddie Wainwright, Genie Muldrow, Hilda Preston, Mattie Yarborough. Messrs. Ollie Preston, Will Gibson, Green Wood, Fred Dixon, John Felder, Ben Pearce, Hannibal Scott, Tom Foley, John Driscoll, Ernest Youens, Robt. Harrison, Ernest Schumacher, Walter Scott, Frank Etheredge, Knox Williams and Arthur Smith. Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Chinski and Mr. and Mrs. Will Backloupe. Eleanor Colson