I am just frank enough to admit I was delighted when this committee on entertainment solicited me to give the Baily history or rather incidents concerning this remarkable pioneer, Evan Baily, for as the fourtheenth child, I should certainly gather in my observations enough of worthwhile matter to entertain the older ones present and hope to impress the younger generation they have much to do to live up to the ideals of this father, grand father, great or great great grandfather and it must be their aim and ambition to keep this BAILY name as pure and free from stain as it came to them from their ancestors.

The only difficulty is, I can not lay it before your consideration as it deserves to be presented, as the request was made too recently. But I solicit your charity if I fail to interest you.

James Russell Lowell was called upon for a speech. He inquired of the presiding gentlemen (or perhaps lady) how long he should make his talk. "If at the end of two or three minutes" replied the manager, "you haven't struck oil, give up boring."

This might be a good criterion for us to follow, but I trust I have a more polite audience than even this gifted author, if they could not keep from showing disfavor and restlessness in that brief time. I am sure you will willingly stay with me to the end, for this is a subject difficult to abridge. I can scarcely forgive myself for not delving into this family history years ago, at the opportune time, but young and thoughtless, I accept the present, thought not of the past, and always hopeful of the future. I remember once asking about my grandparents when a very young child.

Jake and Libbie (how I wish they were with us today) came Saturday to stay until Sunday evening. With what delight we exchanged these week end visits (more often walking than not) although Doug and I had the best of it, knowing we would get the same smiling welcome from their mother as they from ours, but at their home on a moments notice we could gather in a dozen Fosters and such a game of Hide and Seek or Run Sheep Run as we indulged in would give the present day children a clear case of nervous prostration. This Foster game got to be a serious thing, though, in later years. Martha claimed she culled the Fosters over, picked out Holmes for better or worse and made no mistake, but Jennie resented this, thought her judgment superior, yet Jake, years before boasted he had married the Flower of the Flock.

To go back to this particular time, Jake and Libbie had stopped at Grandfather Bottenberg's and Grandmother Bottenberg ahd given Libbie goods for a new dress which she displayed after the usual warm welcome. My parents always gave their numberous grandchildren, as all the older ones will be glad to testify. I exclaimed "Mother, why don't I have some grandparents to make over me?" She replied, "Yours all passed away, Sallie, before you came," and from that day on I never made any inquiry. I guess I thought the history closed at death, but not so.

As good an example as your and my forefathers should be kept before us as a standard guide and so with that association I can recall of my father's life, I give to you, hoping some of it at least can be stored away in Memory's chamber, for his ability, energy and personality were exceptional and an example for any of the younger set to emulate.

Thomas Baily, the founder of a numerous family in this Country as far back as we can gather reliable information, has representatives which may be found in many states of the Union, was born in East Pennsylvania and was a well to do farmer. He was married three times. There were four children by the first marriage - Mary, Robert, Isaac and Ruth.

Mary married Thomas Allison. Isaac was a government land surveyor in Texas and was paid for his labor in land, thus becoming an extensive land holder. There is no verified record of his family, but it is thought that Senator Joseph Baily of Texas and William Baily of the Barnum Bily Circus belong to this branch of the family. There is no record of the other two children - Robert and Ruth.

By the second marriage, two children, Evan and Jemima, were born. This daughter married Thomas Nixon and lived in Southern Illinois, the latter part of her life, and was a very welcome visitor in this home of her only brother a number of times.

Issue of third marriage, Thomas and Alexander. Thomas married America Grail of Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois. They had three sons, William, George Richard, and Alexander. Two grandsons, Mark and William, and one great grandson and a great grand daughter Gretchen. Alexander No. 1., went to Emporia, Kansas during the Civil War disturbances. Was married twice - three daughters and four grandchildren by the first marriage and a son and daughter by the second marriage and four grand children.

I will now take up the life of Evan Baily, whose history we are most especially solicited to present at this reunion.

EVAN BAILY was born Dec. 16, 1805 in Brooke Co., West Virginia. His parents were Thomas Baily and Mary Farnsworth Baily, presumably a Pennsylvania woman. In his boyhood he learned the carpenter's trade. May 11, 1826 he married Elizabeth McHenry, daughter of James McHenry of Ireland. For several years they resided in East Liverpool, Hancock Co, West Virginia. In 1836 Father came to Illinois and purchased a tract of timber land of which only one acre was cleared, with a one roomed log cabin on it. He returned to Virginia and in company with some other pioneers, built a keel boat which they rowed themselves and their families down the Ohio River, up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Sharp's landing near Browning, Schuyler County, Illinois. Here they disembarked to complete their journey of seventeen miles in wagons. Necessity soon compelled another room to be added to the log cabin and a few years later a larger home with some bed rooms upstairs and two down was bulit and here they were extraordinarily comfortable.

In 1844-45 father was elected a member of the State Legislature. This was still previous to the time of railroads of any great dimensions in this State, so the long trips to and from the State Capital in Springfield, Sangamon County, were made on horseback. During this time he made friends of the foremost lawyers and politicians of the day. He held positions of trust and honor all his life. Becaues of his knowledge of the law, he was consulted frequently in regard to troublesome business affairs and acquired a great reputation for settling estates, and was appointed guardian and advisor to many orphan children. Mother kept many an Orphant [sic] Annie until a new home was found for her. My father's home was know far and wide for its great hospitality. From circuit rider up to Congressman, or down, whichever way you want to put it, stopped here.

My brother Alex has always been known as an even tempered man and might have gone all his life and not uttered a single oath, but a circuit rider came to dinner unexpectedly; Alex and Doug waiting impatiently for the second call to this best of meals (young children then always ate at the second table) looked longingly in the window just in time to see Mr. Circuit Rider transferring the last piece of fried chicken from the platter to his own plate. Alex swore a lot of swears. Doug maintained it was his first offense. What would you have done in the same place?

Reminiscing as I have been doing for many days, I could not reist a little crudy parody on the Old Oaken Bucket.

How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents them to view. Oh, that red pippin orchard and trees loaded with cherries. The proud stepping peacocks. The hawk scaring quineas, with nests full of eggs, they thought hidden from view. These are but a few of the fond memories my young girlhood knew.

I doubt if many remember when the old log schoolhouse west of the barn was my father's carpenter shop. There he and my brother James, who later enlisted in the civil war and was Captain of the 103rd regiment and killed outright at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, labored so harmoniously together. They worked days, months, and even years building this substantial home, which yet is in better style than many fo the new expensive modern homes. Father was his own architect and not as today did they erect such a house with doors, windows and finishings all sent in from the factory. Every window, sash, even putting in the glass, every door hand made and every piece of molding carved, you might say, out of straight goods. Even the great timbers for the foundation were felled and hewn out with his broad axes from the great oaks growing so plentifully then in this section. Such wonderful tools my father possessed. Numberless grooved planes and all kept sharpened perfectly. I must have been a very good little girl as I almost lived in this shop of silky looking shavings and beautiful blocks. I wathced the front door made piece by piece and wondered greatly at the raised panel so correctly measured. Different woods have ever since interested me in their peculiar grains and dissimilar markings. An undressed piece of white pine came out from under the plane a beautiful molding, put in the miter box, and the small blocks you see in the finish of several rooms here, were the result, never varying a thread in size, all glued on, and not one missing yet, and I doubt ever will be. Rarely such hand work has been don, and not today, that's certain.

This house was built on the site of the first log cabin and on completion we moved in and the tools were brought from the shop to the house we vacated. It was there my father made caskets from the grandest black walnut, cut from his own possessions and polished until beautiful to look at. Exquisitely lined, compared to the knotted wood ones of today with blemishes covered with cloth. Their value could not be computed. Doug and I alternately held the candle - late at night that he might complete a casket in time for the hour set for burial. Great Grandfather Bottenberg had one of these beautiful caskets made and stored in his room a long time previous to his dath fearing my father might pass away first. In later years father made elegant pieces of furniture, tables, stands, book cases etc. Mostly of walnut - a favorite wood of his - whistling or singing at his work. Particularly I remember this good old Methodist hymn.

"How tedious and tasteless the hours,
when Jesus no longer I see.
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers,
have all lost their sweetness to me.
The midsummer sun shines but dim.
The fields strive in vain to look gay,
but when I am happy in him
December's as pleasant as May."

In 1872 my father was elected County Treasurer and served two terms, and I say it with unbounded pride, never has there been or will be a set of books equal to his in penmanship and neatness. I often went to his office in Lewistown and had my attention called by the assistants to the well kept pages in those enormous volumes in the court house, and while I inwardly so admitted his ability yet I was too modest to offer words of commendation. Why leave unsaid deserved praise in our families which we so often do?

I am sure I shall tell you something very extraordinary now. I have had the unusual significance of attending six Golden Weddings and to clear away all skepticism as to your not believing it will give the names and wish to assure you I felt greatly flattered on receipt of invitation to a golden wedding. For after fifty years of wedded life even in this day and age you can almost bank on their holding out together to the end and that is some satisfaction. After the last one I attended, that of John Dana Barker's wife's father and mother I wrote up all six for the Girard Press, which gave much pleasure to several families, receiving many compliments for doing it, besides many extras had to be printed. Those I attended in the West were Mr. and Mrs. Coltin, Girard; Mr. & Mrs. Gording, Corentsy; Mr. & Mrs. Browne, Parkville, Mo; Mr. & Mrs. Howard and Mr. & Mrs. D. A. Vincent, Girard. My father and mother the first [sic] and then a most unusual event for I believe it was the first in the State of Illinois. At any rate it occurred the 11th of May 1876, the opening day of the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia commemorating our 100th anniversary of American Independence. Wasn't this a singular and glorious coincidence? My mother was inveigled into a scheme to get her from home, though she protested. "Spring brings too much work on a farm to go visiting" was her cry, but in vain. To Bushnell she had to go, for a big surprise was planned. Dear, good capable Emma was with grandmother then, (how I wish she could be here today) why that girl could manage a regiment if necessary. Daughters and "in laws" came in thick soon as mother departed, much to father's chagrin and he begged us to send for her, but "nothing doing." They would visit together and so the preparations went on - cakes of all sorts, golden and silver, nut and fruit were baked and dear old unsuspecting father never had a suspicion of hwat was going on under or over his roof. The previous year we raised turkeys, but mother decided they were too much care, but we begged to keep a young bronze gobbler because of his beauty we contended and on the other hand planning to take his life at the appointed time. We won out and sister Julia gave forth the word it was time to prepare Bob for the roaster. Doug thought to ensnare him in a corner but the turkey was smart enough to slip out, so incidentally Doug picked up a small stone, whirled it toward the turkey's head and to his amazement and Bob's too, struck it fair and square and poor Bob dropped stunned, just as father came out of the shop and said "How could you do such a cruel thing?" Poor Doug played the penitent act well as if an artist at the business but added "There is nothing else to do but cook him." And when father saw him filled with dressing and beautifully browned in the center fo a table reaching from the south end of the dining room to the extreme north of the living room he understood many things that must have mystified him. On top of the house, the morning of the 11th a great flag staff with an enormous flag waving in the breeze seemed to have been placed there as if by magic. Soon the Vermont Band was playing national airs and when mother arrived the house and yard was full of relatives and friends - everything so well managed it proved a glorious day. Just think at this happy occasion every child and grandchild were present except my brother and his family in Girard, Kansas, [Crawford County] and he never ceased regretting being absent. All so congenial, no jealousies nor envy entering a heart there. I can't and hope I may never understand the estranging of sisters and brothers.

On the front portico, attended by Jacob and Betty Bottenberg, Evan Baily and Elizabeth stood and again took the marriage vow, Rev. Beaois of Vermont using the ring ceremony. The granddaugthers presented the gold ban to seal the sacred service. The grandsons clubbing together and giving a gift equal in value. I have always thought these dear old friends stood with them at both weddings and it was surely touching to see those four after so many years of friendship, smilingly take their places and you may be sure they received hearty congratulations. That evening Jake wrote some thoughts in my autograph album which I sent back to Kansas to get that I may read to you.

In two years and two months, July 17th., 1878, my father met with an untimely death. Doug's lovely buggy horse, Cricket, running away with him on the way to Vermont so seriously injured him he survived but a few hours. All the children, my brother John and I coming from Kansas, and many of the grandchildren came to the funeral.

There is no question in my mind but what my father was always greatly in advance of the times in thought, a good student in all directions, and supplying his household with better and more reading matter than the average one, buying machinery to help with the labor, spiritually inclined but not a fanatic on religion - thank goodness for that - and always advocating a time to work and a time to play, and games and puzzles brought us constantly to try to cultivate our gray matter and help while away long winter evenings. He urged every individual to be self supporting for his own satisfaction in the first place and because it is the surest road to knowledge. If we, his descendants, hold the balance level with my father then we can be sure of approaching the Great White Throne in favor and admitted by St. Peter to partake of the richest blessing and well earned happiness.

Several months after my father passed away future plans had to be made. It was suggested my mother purchase a little hone in Ipava. "What! Leave this place where I have lived for more than two score years. It would break my heart." So it was finally decided Alex should occupy the old home and mother live with him - a most satisfactory arrangement for no place else would she have been contented. She went to her long sleep May 4, 1892, with her hand in Alex's. Even though he be present and possibly embarrassed at my words I must give them to you for the lesson it may be to your child or mine, hoping the suggestion may prove of benefit. If not at present, it may at some future time. If every son and daughter here who may have a mothre with them in the latter days of her life, can as cheerfully bestow the kindness and attention Alex did to his mother, then they have fitted themselves for that peace which passeth all understanding. This continuous thoughtfulness must be acquired, for we are all too selfish naturally to keep doing for others even though a mother, but the reward is rich, for when the summons comes to join the innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realms of shade my brother Alex can go, not like the quarry slave at night, but like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.

athe hospitality given out in the log cabin is still extended here and as one of my nephews remarked to me, "I can always take unexpected friends to Uncle Alex's for the house and the folks are in trim and always ready to receive so graciously." What greater compliment than a home ready for any emergency? This proves without further controversy that Alex made a wise choice in his selection of a helpmate but it is not in my lne today to sing Catherine's praises. You all know her as well and possibly better than I do, besides I must confine myself to the other side of the house.

Age brings sorrows to us all and especially broken homes. It also brings greater appreciation and stronger love for our home folks. You have always had a gracious reception here in this old Baily home and ever has the latch string been hanging out. James Whitcomb Riley's homely philosophy always reached my heart.

The youngest grandchild is Miriam Perry Baily, daugher of Alexander and Catherine Baily, Table Grove, Ill. The youngest great grandchild is Mary Catherine Hughes, daughter of Royal Delaney and Ada John Baily Hughes, Findlay, Ohio. The youngest great great granddaughter, Loemma Joy O'Connell, daughter of Walker O'Connell and Mary Fleury O'Connell and Thomas J. Rowland, Jr. son of Thomas and Maurine Baily Rowland. There are only seven Baily Boys great grandchildren of Evan Baily as far as I know. Evan Baily, Jr., Canton, Illinois; Billy Baily, Vancouver, British Columbia; John Robert Baily and Perry Baily, Galesburg, Illinois. Hammond Baily, St. Louis, Mo.; James Monroe Baily Jr., Seattle, Washington, and Don Baily, Table Grove, Illinois.