The daily gazette., 1880-06-14

Mr.. Bayard possessed great per-
sonai siren 9Th, and was, in fact. aluiost
equal In all respects to a trained athlete.
he was exceedingly fond of cunning,
nshlng and other outdoor sports. N
later years he would frequently say that
II he b ad spent less time in these occuFa-
lions he would have been better law
yer. Years ago 1t was the custom in this
state at the close of political meetings
10 have competitive trials In seeing who
could throw small cannon balls the FUR
thest distance, and Mr.. Baysrd almost
His memory was remarkable. It is
SAID he never forgot anything he read or
heard. II Is related by one of his personal
ing The prevalence Of Court, Mr.. Bayara
an Mr. Clayton, who were always great
other as "Jeems" and John" became
engaged IN contest to which was the
more familiar with the Bible. The con-
lest took place in the "mess room" OF
Registers old Stockton Hotel, and for
several hours these two intellectual
giants Sat QUOTING scrlptur IL selections
against each o.her. From the bible they
drifted To Shakespeare, and In this unique
contest They sat up until daylight, eacn
repeating quotation after quotation from
the great authors works. A gentleman
who enjoyed this unt tqualled contest, pro
nounced IL the greatest theatrical scene he
ever witnessed. 1t is a well known fact
that he present Senator Bayard inherits
~
said OF him that he can quote more poe
try than any other mem Der of the u. >.
Senate.
Mr.. Bayard was of a congenial nature,
kind and considefat to all with whom he
was brought into personal or business re-
| tions. His acquaintance was large ana
VARIED, and he mum bered men OF all
stages In life among his lntin ate friends.
His kindly nature endeared him to ali
the people, and duri his long political
tareer he held the closest affections of the
citizens of this State to a really remarka-
Die degree.
HIS DOMESTIC RELATIONS.
About 1922 Mr.. Payard married Miss
ter OF Thomas Francis, wh.se wife was
lughter of Charles Willing. Mrs,
Bsyard died in 1864 The children were
James A. Bayard, Jr., who died at the age
the bar; Thomas F. Baysrd, the present
senator; Mabel Bayard. now the wife OF
Dr.. ]. X. Kane, of this city, and Florence
Bayard. now the wife of Benoni Lock-
also Two or three oth.ls, who died in IN
fancy. MIR. Bayard's domestic relations
were unusually happy and peaceful, and
is sI1d no man Tas hs eveT
thar he, aud no man ever received to a
greater degree The love, respect and con-
ndence oil his family
HIS CLOSING YEARS.
After the death of his wife, and more
particularly after his second retirement
from the Senate in 1859, Mr.. Bayard lived
in quiet and seclusion at his residence
in Jnis city. Personally he dropped al
most entirely from public notice, and the
rising generation knew of him only by
his public history and family name. He
rarely appeared upon the streets except
| for a. brief walk in the immediate neigh
| borhocd OF his residence. HIS last public
| apu earance was at the funeral of the late
| Chief Justice Clip n, in the spring OF
| 1876, which he attended. He spent most
| of his time in his library, in the enjoy
| ment of his books, and the frequent visits
| of his close friend and companion. Col
| whiteley. His mind remained clear and
his mental vigor unimpaired until about
| three years ago, when mind, as well al
| body, began to yield to the dissoluti &
| effects oil nearly eighty years of active
| vigorous existence. He suffered no par
| ticular affection, but there was a gradua
| breaking down of the forces ef nature
| showing that the broad, deep mind anC
the stronghold body were slowly but sure
| ly paying the great debt OF nature. Peace
| fully and quietly his life drew to close
| and at last the light went out, and Jh'
| brilliant intellect and public services o
| another Bay ard were transferred from th'
stage of lie to the pages of history, ther'
| to reveal to future generations anothe
| story of q WELL SPENT LIFE.