Alabama Man Could Be The Country's Oldest

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The weekend death of the nation's oldest
man at age 112 has put into question whether Alabama folk artist
Frank Calloway is also 112, as he is listed by state officials.
If so, he would now be the nation's oldest living man. But top
gerontologist dispute the age claim, citing a lack of a birth
certificate or baptismal records and Calloway's youthful
appearance.
Calloway gained wide notice this year for his murals drawn on
long sheets of paper at Bryce Hospital. He has been a patient of
the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for
56 years.
Department spokesman John Ziegler said Monday the state is
standing by its records, which show he was born on July 2, 1896.
But he said documents are being reviewed and other records sought
for confirmation.
The nation's oldest man, George Francis, died Saturday in
Sacramento. He was born on June 6, 1896.


(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)