RANDOLPH -- The Board of Selectmen is trying to find the oldest person living in Randolph and honor them with the Boston Post cane.

The cane is a trophy of longevity held by the town's oldest citizen and a tradition that dates to 1909, when the Boston Post newspaper distributed hundreds of inscribed canes to most communities in New England.

The canes were made by J.F. Fradley & Co., a New York manufacturer, from ebony shipped in seven-foot length from the Congo in Africa, according to newspaper accounts. They were cut to cane length, seasoned for six months, turned on lathes to the right thickness, coated and polished.

Over the years, some cities and towns lost track of their gold-tipped canes.

In Randolph, selectmen have held onto the town's original cane after the last oldest person, Hazel Seekens, passed away on April 4, 2001. She was 102 when she received the cane in 2000.

"We think Clara Woodcock, who's 92, is the oldest person, but we're not sure," said Selectman Peter Hanley. "We're looking for the oldest person, but if there's anyone else out there who is older than Clara, they should call me or the Town Office."

Hanley said just as soon as selectmen find out who the oldest person is, they will arrange a presentation ceremony.

"As soon as we know, we'll go the whole nine yards," he said.

Some towns have guidelines for handing out the cane, such as the length of time a person has been a resident. But Town Treasurer Janet Richards said the town has no rules, just that the receiver has to be the oldest person in town.

The canes and its recipients have outlived the newspaper that came up with the promotional idea. The Boston Post hasn't rolled off the presses in more than 50 years.

If you are a potential "oldest person" in Randolph, contact the Town Office at 582-5808 or Hanley at 582-4698.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811,

ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com