Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-09-24

In the village OF Hamburg, Penn,
says the New York Sin, stands o
great, heavy farm wagon, loaded with
lumber, under an old, dilapidated she'd
and this same wagon, with its load,
has been standing there sixty-one years
this summer. s.l-a'.. a..'.g ~
John Baily, the man who owns the
wagon, is now about 9S years of age,
and has lived here. very nearly all
bis life, He is quiet end unassum
ing person, who bears his years well,
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 and
reliable citizen Of the place. The
shed stands very near the house, and
is situated about the centre of the
town. Inside of the shed stood tie
wagon, loaded with pine boards, Just
as il had been left in 1912. The sight
was anything b 1t inviting. Cobwebs
and dust hung heavy from the board
sides and roof of the old shed, aud th ;
despoiling ha nd of time had wrought
ruin upon the entire surroundings
The wheels had warped and the iron
tires bad fallen down; and as they
dropped, so they remain now. The
heavy spokes of the wheels stick in
the ground fully six inches, and it is
thought they win rot in very short
time, and thus throw the entire mass to
the ground
turned to the gentlemen with me
and asked him the facts concerning
such remarkable curiosity. He re
piled: | am nearly seventy years old
and was about nine years of age when
Bailey made bis vow. ! remembe
quite well when he was building the
Old house there (pointing to the pres
ent residence of Mr.. Bailey, for | car
ried water to the men
In those days We had no railroads,
and express and mail lines went to
the large cities by horse and wagon,
Most Of our building material wa:
bought at Philadelphia and carted to
this place by horse and wagon. Bal
ey was a young man then, but hare
working, independent, selfwilled ner
t)n. His house was nearly finished
and the last load of lumber had been
brought from the sea coast.
Baily was not married, but wat
looking with longing eyes TO a bright
and blushing woman whom be had
visited or courted but three times, AND
had obtained what he thought wa:
sufficient encouragement that all was
right. But there was rival in the
case. Another young mans affec
tious drifted TO tho same spot, ant
upon several occasions lover No. hac
been very kindly received and enter
aimed; and there grew up Jealousy
Lover No. commenced building 1
house. Likewise No. 2. Both pro
ceeded 10 the work until load o
pine boards for finishing purposes wa'
needed. No. | had a wagon, and al
the only place the boards were TO b.
had was at Philadelphia, Bailey pro
cecdcd thither, got what he wanted
and returned. Lover No. 2 being OF
speaking terms with the parents o
the girl, married the object of his love
in the absence of No /, and when thu
latter returned he was mortified be
yond measure. lie drove his wagoI
under the shed, as was customary, un
harnessed his horses, put them away
ard as he left the wagon, be declare'
it should stand as long as time last
on into eternity.
My informant invited me in to sc,
this strange character lie was sit
ting on an old hickory arm chair, look
ing out upon his great-grand-childrel
at play in the yard lie is too old t,
move about much, and he very rarel,
gets out. An impediment in hi
speech renders it almost impossible I,
understand him. asked him abou
the wagon, and he smiled family an'
replied that great many hundred
people had asked him the same quc.
| lion. He continued by saying that
had in all probability heard the cor
rect history; that he had kept hi
word so long, and he hoped he coul'
keep it always. | asked him wha
"word" he had kept. lie said tha
when be drove his wagon under th
shed be took an oath he would neve
unload IL or allow 1t TO be unloaded
nor would he ever use either the wag
on or boards 1t is stipulation il
his will that nobody shall modest th
wagon, but on the contrary it shall o
protected all the time. and, If possible
preserve it until all this world is n
more.
Bailey married another woman 500
after his first trouble, and she died 81
years ago, aged eighty years The.
| have several children, who seem deter
mined to carry ou: the desires Of tb
old man. They declare that whe
the property passes into their hand
the fathers will shall be respected
: .u...r C-r. Esr,rp a n