Marietta Times, October 28, 1896 NEWPORT The day, October 26th, 1896 was one of October's gayest efforts. It was so balmy, so mild the sun shone so beautifully that we were loath to think autumn is with us.  All nature so smiling that to be morbid on such a day would be ungrateful. The wind so tempered that the vaunted air so popularly supposed to blow "soft o'er Ceylon's Isle," is but distantly related to it. And on this particular day, which seemed to us was made to order, Mrs. Fannie Dana McElHinney, wife of Dr. J. M. McElHinney, arranged to hold a "Dana - McElHinney reunion," at her home in Newport. Her guest came in body from far and near, East, West, North and South, numbering sixty or more. One draw back to the day’s enjoyment in Mrs. Fannie’s estimation was the fact that her brother, Dr. Wm Dana, was unable to be present at her party, he being so far away and presses of business interfering, only a long letter from Morristown, East Tennessee, was a precious reminder that he would gladly have been with the assembled family. The feast of good things which in this little world would appeal to the inner man’s comfort, was bountifully spread before the guests for their delectation, as Mrs. Mc. Is “all there” if anything.   And another pleasant feature of the day’s gathering was that the guests all grouped themselves on the lawn in front of the house and were photographed by Fleming, the artist of Marietta.   Among the intellectual feasts of the day were some remarks from the Doctor, who, by the way, is not slow in giving his age, and we can scarcely realize he is in the seventies. It has occurred to us more than once that the doctor and Time will have a tussle before the latter gains the day.—However, we give his remarks verbatim et literatum. “This 96th year of the present century is to me a remarkable one, - a mystic, a cabalistic year. It is beyond the limit of my comprehension as to why such a mysterious combination of circumstances should or could ever occur: indeed it can never occur again. The year 96 may be factored thus: 12 times 8 = 96. The sum of these factors gives 20, the year in which my parents were married – Take the first factor, 12, and its multiples, thus: twelve of the present century was an important year in the history of both my native country (Great Britain) and the  country by adoption (the United States.) Twice 12-24, the year in which I was born. Four times 12=48 which is my wife’s age, and the year in which I came to Newport Township. Six times 12 =72, my present age. Eight times 12=96, the present year. Then take the other factor, 8, and see what is its multiples will give. Three times 8=24, the year of my nativity also one half of my wife’s age. Four times 8=32, the year in which the McElHinney families came to Ohio. Five times 8-40, the year in which my father died and I was left an orphan boy. Six times 8=48, my wife’s age and the year in which she was born, also the year in which I came to Newport Township. Seven times 8=72, my present age. Eleven times 8=88, the centennial of the Dana family in Ohio, and that of the settlement of Marietta. – Twelve times 8=96, which brings us to the present year.   But these curios are not all: My present age is one and one-half times the age of my wife, and the year of my nativity, 24; and the present year, 96, is twice my wife’s age, 48, and twice the number of years I have lived in this township, and also four times the year of my nativity. As time rolls on and the years continue so come and go, is it not wonderful that it should be so arranged in the order of Divine Providence that we, the Dana-McElHinney families, should meet here, and without the singular relations, proportion and apparent fitness of events and times, in this year of all years? To me at least it is unaccountable and beyond comprehension.”   [In other Newport News] Mr. Lou Travis, one of Newport’s respected citizens, died at his home October 29th, and was buried in the Newport Cemetery. Rev. B. E. Edgell preached his funeral sermon assisted by Rev. E. O. Morris. Mr. Travis was a pleasant neighbor, a kind husband and father. The family, which consists of his wife and two sons, has the sympathies of their friends.   And when we have crossed the “dark river,” And entered His mansions so fair, We will dwell with our loved ones forever, And be freed from all sorrows and care.   Mr. Travis was a soldier; having enlisted in Co. H, 148th O.V. Infantry, and at the time of his death was 51 years of age and has resided in our town for the last eight years. He had been thrown from a buggy some four years age, receiving injuries from which he never recovered, and gradually grew worse until his death.   Carrie K. Chewer