By H. L. PETERSON.

PONCA, Neb., Jan. 20 - One of Ponca's oldest and best know citizens is Cummings Gilmer, who is hale and hearty despite his nearly 85 years of age. Mr. Gilmer is a Civil war veteran - but he wore the grey during that historic conflict. No doubt, he is one of the very few men who fought for the southern cause more than 67 years ago now spending the sunset of their lives north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Mr. Gilmer is a native Virginian. He was born near Lebanon, Va., March 4, 1844. He was reared in that community and brought up in the ways of the south. A year after blood was first shed in the Civil war at Bull Run, he enlisted in Company G. Twenty-ninth regiment of Virginia, in Pickett's division under Gen. Robert E. Lee. He served in campaigns in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, and participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Five Forks and Petersburg.

He states that the Confederate army was often compelled to march over flooded roads from heavy rains while invading new territory or repelling the enemy. But he says he never missed a day from duty, or was sick or wounded during his three years' service in the war. A younger brother, who is now 82, served with Stonewall Jackson, and two other brothers died from fever during the rebellion.

Mr. Gilmer can tell how the "Johnnies" and the "Yankees" used to swap newspapers and tobacco across their picket lines during a lull in engagements which the armies were stationed between Richmond and Petersburg.

Mr. Gilmer and the remaining soldiers of his company were captured by the Union forces on April 8, one day prior to General Lee's surrender to General Grant at Appomattox courthouse. Prior to that he had had little to eat for five days.

Mr. Gilmer and his wife have lived in northeastern Nebraska forty-four years, and will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary February 4.