PETER DENYSE 100 YRS TO-DAY






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 Remembers First Side- Wheel Steamer
 Bay Ridge Patriarch, 100 To-day 
Mourns Loss of Sister,96

   A patriarch, whose hobby is miniature golf, observes his 100th 
birthday at his home, 610 Seventy-eight street, to-day. 
He is Peter DENYSE, the oldest resident of Bay Ridge.

   The observance at the DENYSE home is saddened by the death of 
the old man's sister, Miss Maria M.DENYSE, at her residence, 
218 Eighty-second street, on Wednesday. She was ninety-six years old.

   Three sons, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, 
Kenneth COLLINS, 4, of Flushing, were to be present at the informal 
gathering planned for the afternoon. Until five years ago, parties 
were held on each of Mr.DENYSE's birthdays, but when he became 
ninety-five he said he was becoming tired of birthday affairs.
      
         ONCE EXPERT SHOT

    Last summer Mr.DENYSE took to the midget links. Always an 
ardent disciple of the outdoor life and once a crack rifle shot and 
expert fisherman, the miniature golf game proved so attractive to 
him that he often walked from his home to his favorite course at 
Eighty-sixth street and Dahlgren place.

    According to his son, Peter DENYSE, Jr., the old man's most prized 
Christmas gift was a set of golf clubs. His only other exercise consists 
of short walks about the grounds of his home. A recent illness, lasting 
until the begining of the year, kept him indoors, but on warm days 
now he often goes outside.
    His birthday cake to-day contains 100 candles. Neighbors have sent candy, 
of which Mr.DENYSE is fond. Tea and soft cake complete his birthday repast.

           BORN ON FARM

   Born in his father's farmhouse,on what is now Seventieth street and 
Seventh avenue, the centenarian has spent his entire life in Bay Ridge, 
with the exception of a summer spent farming in Ohio. He is most proud 
of the fact that his family did not move from Bay Ridge in 1856, 
the year the yellow fever raged so fiercely along the New York Bay 
shore and in Fort Hamilton. 
   ''Everyone else was going from Bay Ridge that year because the 
fever was killing them all like sheep,'' he said,'' but we stayed here, 
and I'm glad of it.''
   Mr DENYSE also said that he was on the shore when the first side-wheel 
steamer came into New York harbor.
   Among other thinds he remembers is the sight of old men returning home 
from saloons and holding to fences to keep from falling. For that reason, 
he thinks prohibition is a good thing. But he admits that brandy, taken 
with each meal in 1856, saved him from getting the yellow fever.
From time to time, nowadays, he sips a little wine.

         ALWAYS A DEMOCRAT

   Adventure stories, records of Theodore Roosevelt's hunting trips and 
outdoors tales attract him, and he often reads for hours before going to bed.
  ''I'm a Democrat, and I always was,'' he declared. ''I only split my ticket 
when a very good friend of mine was running on the other side.''
   The old man voted until four years ago, giving up his vote when he found 
he had to wait in line.

    His favorite story concerns a relative with patriotie leanings, who was 
in a New York tavern with British officers during the Revolutionary War. 
Ready to drink, and wishing to toast George Washington without being thrown 
into jail, the man lifted his glass and shouted:''Here's to washing it 
down.''

Transcriber: Patty M.
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