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On Friday, Dec. 15th. Mr. Abram Armentrout, of Hayesville, completed his 85th. year.  Some of his friends, thinking his advanced age, his long residence here and his standing as a citizen and neighbor, entitled him to a surprise, had made arrangements for accomplishing that end.  Therefore on that day a party of gentlemen friends to the number of twenty-nine assembled at his residence, and to make the surprise more complete, and that the inner man might be replenished as well as hearts made glad, they came with baskets filled with good things to eat, such as the ladies of Hayesville and vicinity are ample able to prepare.  It was, indeed, a complete surprise to Mr. Armentrout, he not having heard the least inkling that anything unusual was to occur that day.

The following names and ages of the persons present, together with the time they came into the State, respectfully, to wit:  Thos. Bushnell, 65 years, came to this township in 1821 and born in the State;  Jos. H. Boyd, 72, 1850;  Adam Bohn, 62, 1839;  Jacob Beck, 74, 1835;  John Boyd, 71, 1830;  Robert Carpenter, 71, 1811;  John Crone, 58, 1840;  Joshua Campbell, 66, 1836;  Samuel Craig, 68, 1833;  William Craig, 70, 1833;  Samuel Ewing, 72, 1839;  James Ewing, 64, born in township in 1818;  John Gillis, 60, 1837;  John Moser, 70, 1848;  Rev. J.A. Kellam, 70, 1816;  Wm. O. Porter, 58, born in township;  Rev. W.W. Ralston, Presbyterian Minister, 46, 1882;  Rev. W.W. Seamans, M.E. Minister, 72, 1834;  W.W. Scott, 63, born in township;  O.H. Scott, 60, 1825;  Daniel Smith, 59, 1834;  James B. Smith, 68, 1815;  John Scott, 65, 1817;  Robert Wilson, 66, 1821;  Rev. Dr. W. Wishart, 61, 1821;  Daniel Youngling, 70, 1836;  John S. Graybill, 64, 1833;  Rev. Dr. S. Diefendorf, 66, 1844;  Ed. Rittenhouse, 64, 1830.

Mr. John Boyd was the oldest, 81, and Rev. W.W. Ralston, pastor of the Presbyterian Church was the youngest, 46.  Mr. John Scott was the heaviest, 254 pounds, and Mr. John Moser, the lightest at 130 pounds.

All seemed to enjoy themselves hugely and none more so than Mr. Armentrout, the happy recipient of this friendly visit.

Mr. Armentrout settled in Richland County in 1817, and came to Hayesville in 1840, where he has resided ever since.  He kept hotel during the palmy days of travel by stage coach and private conveyances, which enabled him to make the acquaintance of many citizens of this and other states, among whom were some of the noted dignitaries of the country.

After partaking of a splendid dinner, and extending hearty congratulations to Mr. Armentrout, hoping he might live to enjoy many birthday surprises, and we all be there to participate, the party dispersed, each feeling that it was good for him to be there.

Much credit is due the originators of this surprise, and the ladies who so tastefully arranged the tables, and waited on the guests with such ease and grace.