NEWS: Frances MARKEY, Octogenarian, Berrying on Brush Mountain, 1918, Blair County, PA

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OCTOGENARIAN OUT BERRYING	

  Mrs. Christian Markey, the aged lady of Brush Mountain, who has passed the 
82nd milestone on her journey through life, and whose remarkable feat of 
picking a half bushel of huckleberries recently was told of in the 
newspapers, made a second trip for berries on Wednesday to the top of Brush 
Mountain, accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. George Markey.  To reach 
the berry grounds it was necessary to walk several miles, most of the 
distance through the roughest and steepest mountain land.  Despite her years 
Mrs. Markey was equal to the occasion, walking along with a light step and 
upon arriving at her destination, spent the greater portion of the day 
filling her basket, as the berries are very plentiful on Brush Mountain.  The 
two women took with them two fried chickens and other good things, and 
greatly enjoyed their noon day lunch on the top of the mountain.  While 
engaged in picking berries, the elder Mrs. Markey saw a large rattle snake 
come from underneath a large stone.  But the reptile disappeared among the 
rocks before it would be dispatched.  When the berry-picking was completed, 
the women retraced their steps arriving home in due time with all the berries 
they could carry, the aged woman showing no signs of fatigue and feeling fine 
after the day spent on the mountain top.

Altoona Tribune, Saturday, August 24, 1918, page 3

[Note: Christ G., 77,  and Frances MARKEY, 73, reside in Frankstown Township 
in the 1910 Federal Census.]