Senobio Nila

Retired railroad worker | 106 | Aurora

I came to Aurora in 1923 from Guanajuato, Mexico. I was very happy there. I was maintaining myself, was more secure in my job, but when the revolution came everything was wrecked. It was with Pancho Villa. The U.S. was fighting with Mexico, and the Mexicans and the French were fighting. The blood really ran there -- it was the bayonets, there weren't guns.

Back then Chicago didn't look so good. The buildings were very filthy -- black from the smoke and the soot. When they tore down everything and built new hotels, schools, and places for people to enjoy themselves the city ended up looking so pretty, everything was so clean. Chicago became very elegant then.

During Prohibition when there was no alcohol? I'll tell you this: Ever since I saw Chicago there was alcohol, it's just that it was always hidden.

Al Capone used to do whatever he wanted, wherever. He had cops that worked for him not just in Chicago but everywhere. He had all the cops and the mayors of all the towns in Chicago bought. You couldn't say anything until they got him and put him in prison. When he was gone everything changed, all Chicago wasn't terrorized anymore -- everybody was scared of him.

Well, I can't say anything about immigration today, only the government knows what they're doing. There are so many people working hidden -- that's a bad thing but that's how it happens all over. I can't say anything, I'm not a citizen -- when I finished all my papers and I was OK and secure to be here I figured it was enough. I thought one day I'd return to Mexico but all my family was here so I just didn't.

I have no secret but we have some special well water -- not city water -- it's very tasty. The whole family was blessed with a fountain of youth.

I miss my wife a little since she died in 1955, but I'm all right. I never thought to marry again. I thought I'd be happier alone and I have been.

It's not good to live too many years because then you can't do much. You can't work, life gets hard. It's not good to be here on Earth for too many years. I'm just counting off time until I return to the earth. There's nothing I want to do before I die.