Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-22
The Old Mans Wagon.


HAMBURG, Pa, Aug. l3-Here in this
nuet little village OF Hamburg stands q
rrea,, heavy farm wagon, loaded with lum-
Der, under an old dilapidated shed and
this same wagon, with its load, has been
standing there sixty-one years this summer
John Bailey. the man who owns the wagon,
is now about uinety- eight years OF age, and has
lived here very nearly all his life, He is quiet
aud uuassumiug person, who bears his years
we'll, and is known all over this section as one
of the most eccentric men in the State.
This morning was shown the great four
wheeled curiosity standing under the shed.
My guide was an old reliable citizen Of the
place. The shed stands very near the house,
and is situated about the centre OF the town.
Inside the shed stood the wagon, loaded with
pine boards, just as it had been left in 1912.
The sight was anything but inviting. Cobwebs
and dust hung heavy from the board sides and
roof of the old shed, and the despolllng hand OF
time had wrought ruin upon entire the surround
ings The wheels had warped and the iron
tires had fallen down; and as they dropped, so
wheel, stick iu the ground fully six inches and
il is thought they will rot 10 very short time,
and thus throw the entire mass to the ground.
IturDed to the gentleman with me and asked
him the fact concerning such a remarkable Gu
rlo>i,y. He replied: II am nearly seventy
wears old, and was about nine years of age when
Bailey made his vow. | remember quite we'll
wheu he was building the old house there
(ponting to the present residence OF Mr.. Bal
Iry,) for carried water to the men.
In those days we had no railroads, and ex-
press aud mail lines went to the large cities by
horse and wagon. Most of our building ma
teria was bought at Philadelp phia and carted to
this place by horse and wagon. Bailey was
Young man then but hard working, indepen
dent self willed person. His house was nearly
finished, and the last load of lumber had been
brought from the sea coast.
Bailey was not married, but was looking with
longing eyes to bright aud blushing woman
whom he had visited or courted, but three
times, and had obtained what he thought
was sufficient encouragement that all was right.
But there was rival in the case. Another
young mans affections drifted to the same
spot, and upon several occasions lover No. 2
had been very kindly received and entertained;
aud there grew up jealousy. Lover No. /
commenced building house. Likewise No. 2
Both proceeded in the work until a load OF pine
boards for finishing purposes was needed: No.
had wagon and as the only place the boards
We're to be had was at Philadelphia Bailey pro-
cecded thither, got what be wanted and re-
turned Lover No. being on speaking terms
with the parents of the girl, married the object
Of his love 10 the absence of lover No. ], and
when the latter returned he was mortified be-
yOnd measure. He drove his wagon under the
shed, as was customary, embarrassed his horses,
put them away and as he left the wagon, he
declared it should stand as long as time lasts Oh
luto eternity.
My Informant invited me in to see this strange
character. He was sitting on 40 old hickory
arm chair, looking out upon his great grand
children at play in the yard He is too old to
move about much, and he very rarely
gets out An imprdlment in his speech renders
it almost impossible to understand him. l
asked him about the wagon, and he smiled
family and replied that great many hundred
people had asked him the same question. He
ty heard the correct his ory; that he had kept
hls word so long, and he hoped be could keep
1t always asked him what word he bad
kept. He said that when he drove his wagon
under the shed he took an oath he never would
unload it or allow it to be unloaded, nor would
he ever use either the wagon or boards. 1t ID
astlpulutiou in his will that nobody shall modest
the wagon, but on the contrary it shall be pro-
tccted all the time, and,' IT possible preserve 1t
all until this world is no more. .
Bailey married another woman soon after bis
hrst trouble, and she died six years ago. aged
eighty years. They have, several children, who
seem determined to carry out the desires OF the
Old man. They declare that when the proper,
y passes into their hands the fathers will shall
Ce erespected and as Hamburg never will De
Much more than it is now, it is quite likely
lha' the'old wagon aud it's load will either out,
i've time or meet the fate of the wonderful
onehorse shay