Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-30
TIE OLD MANS WAGON.

n writer III llIllUuIS, H., "'iI'o w
the New York Smn as follows -
Here in this quiet little village of
Hamburg stands great, heavy farm
wagon, loaded with lumber, 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 etycisht years
of ace. and has lived here very nearly
all his life. He is u quiet and nnassum-
inp person, who bears his years well,
and is known all over this section as
one of the most eccentric men IN the
State. I.
This morning was shown the great
four wheeled curiosity standing under
the shed Ny Guide was an old IN reIl-
able citizen of the place. The shed
stands very near the house, and is STU
ated about the centre OF the town. In
side of the shed stood the pine wagon,
Loaded with pinc-boards, just AS it had
been left in 1912. The sight was any
thing but inviting. Cobwebs and dust
hung heavy from the board sides and
roof of the old shed, and the despoilins
hand of time hal wrought ruin upon
the entire surroundings. The wheels
had warped and the iron tires had fallen
down; and as they dropped, 50 they re
main now. The heavy spokes OF the
wheels stick in the ground fully six
inches, and it is thought they will rot
in very short time, and thus throw
the entire mass 10 the ground.
turned 10 the gentleman with me
and asked him the facts concerning
such remarkable curiosity. lie crePlled:
Il am nearly seventy years old,and was
about nine years Of age when Bailey
made his VOW. remember quite well
when he was building the old house
there (pointning TO thepresentresidence
of Mr.. Bailey,) for carried 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 was bought at
Philadelphia and carted to this place by
horse and wagon. Bailey was a young
man then, but n hard working, indePen-
dent, self willed person. His house was
nearly finished, and the last load OF lnm-
Der had been brought fromthe sea coast
Bailey was not married, but was look
ing with longing to bright and blush
ino woman whom he had visited or
courted but three times, and had obtain
ed what he thought was sufficient en-
couragement that all was right. But
there was rival in the case. Another
Young mans affections driited to the
same spot, and upon several OCCASIONS
lover No. 2 had been very kindly re-
ceiyed and entertained; and there grew
up a 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 were to be
had was at Philadelphia, Bailey pro
ceeded thither, got what he wanted and
returned. Lover No. being onspeak-
ing terms with the parents OF the girl
married the object Of his love in tie ab-
sence Of lover No. Land when the latter
returned he was mortified beyond meas
ure. 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 an into eternity
NV informant inyited me in To see
this strange character. lie 8as sitting