The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-09-13
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Correspondence q the n. Y, Sun.
HAMBURG, Pa, Aug. l3.-Herc IN this
quiet little village of Hamburg stands Z
great. heavy farm wagon. loaded with
Lumber. under 90 old, dilapidated shed !;
and this same wagon, with ito load, has
been standing there sixty. one years this
Summer. 5. .z~ -....-
John Bailey, the man who owns the
wagon, 10 now about g years of age, and
hes lived here very nearly Ill his life. He
70 quies and uuassuming persop. who
hears bic years well, and b knows oil over
this section % one of the most eccentric
men In the State. Il. ..rr
This morning was shown the great four
wheeled curiosity standing under the shed.
Ny guide was On old and reliable citizen Of
the place. The shed stands very near the
house, and Is situated near the centre Of the
town. Inside of The shed stood tho wagon,
loaded with pine boards, just - Il had been
left In 1919. The sight was anything but
inviting. Cobwebs and dust hung heavy
from the board sides and roof of the old
shed, and the jcspoilipg hand of time had
wrought ruin on the entire surroundings.
The wheels had warped and the iron tires
had fallen down; and - they dropped 90
they remain now. The heavy spokes of tho
wheel stick In the ground fully six inches,
and II 10 thought they will rot In very
short time and thus throw the entire mass to
the ground. a- s-s .-a ..a .a -.a
turned to the gentleman with me aud
asked him the facts concerning such = ~
markable curiousi,y. He repliet,: ~ am
nearly seventy years old, and WAS about
nine years age when Bailey made his vow.
I remember quite well when hs was build.
Ing the old house there (pointiog 10 The
present residence Of Mr.. Bailey, for car
ricd water to the men," s...-...
In those days We had no railroads, and
express and mail lines went to the large
cities by horse aud wagon. Most of our
building material was bought at PhiIsdcl>
phis and carried to this place by horse and
wagon. Bailey was young man then. but
hard working, sclf.willcd. Independent
person. Ills house was neatly finished, and
the last load Of lumber had been brought
frOm the sca coast. 3s.e o.. ~
Bailey was not married, but was looking
with longing eyes TO bright aud blushing
woman whom he had visited or courtcd bu.
three times, and had obtained what he
thought was sufficient encouragement that
oil Was right. Another young mans affsc.
tious drifted t. the same spot, and upon
several occasions lover No. . had been very
kindly received and entertained, and there
grew up ajealousy. Lover No. com.
mencel building house Likewise No. q
Both proceeded In the work until load OF
Pune boards for finishing purposes WAS
needed. No. had . wagon, snd % the
only plscs where the boards were to be had
was ct Philadelphia, Bailey proceeded
thitbel. got what he wanted, and returned.
Lover No. 2 being on speaking terms with
tie parents of the girl, married the object
Of bis love In the absence Of flower No. Land
when the latter returned he was mortified
beyond measure. He drove his wagon IN.
der the shed, - Was customary, unharncss-
ed bis horses, put them away, and - he left
the wagon, be declared Il should stand %
long - time lasts on Into eternity.
Ny Informant invited me In To see this
strange character. He was sitting on On old
hickory arm chair, looking out upon his
great. grandchildren At play In the yard.
He y too old 70 move aboat much. and he
very rarely gets out. An impeachment In
his speech renders il almost impossible 70
understand him. I asked him about the
wagon, and he smiled family !snd replied
that = great many hundred people had
asked him the same question. lie contin.
ued by saying that ha:: In al probability
heard the c"rrccs history that be he'd kept
bis word 20 long and he hoped be could
keep Il Always. asked him what . word"
no had kept. He said that when he drove
his wagon under the shed he took an oath
be would never urload II or allow II to b.
unloaded, nor wsuld he ever use either The
wagon or the boards. It 10 stipulation 10
bic will that nobody shall mOlest the wagon,
but on the contrary It shall be protected al
the time, and, II possible, protect II until all
this world h no more. ssH .t..a
-- Bailey nsssisd smother woman soon after
bic first trouble, and she died dix years ago,
aged eighty yearA They have several chill.
drsa. who seem determined 10 carry out the
wishes Of the Old man. They declare that
when the property passes into their hands,
the fathers will shall b respected, and q
Hamburg never win be much more than Il
b now, It b quite likely that the Old wagon
and iis load viii either outlive time OF meet
the fate Of the . wonderful one. hos shay"