The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-25
Mother Bailey.

To The Editor Of the Herald
1t seems strange that the date of the event
which rendered the name of Mrs. Anna
Bailey, of Groton, Connecticut, historically
famous, should DO matter of controversy,
The testimony of Captain George w. Geer,
in tho New Haven Palladium, of July 18th,
which you copy in the HERALD of July oath,
that it took place at the time of the massacre
on Groton Heights Fort Griswold) Sept
9th, 1881, would seem to be correct. But,
like Captain Geer, heard the story from
her own lips, snd, never firing, have asked
for it again and again. However, lest |
should be wrong, | refer to the History of
New London County" (the county
in which Groton is situate) pub
lished by the author, Frances
Manwarrng Caulkins, in New London, in
1852, the year after the death of "Mother
Bailey" During the war of 1872 the port
of New London (and.of Groton, just across
the river Thames) was closely blockaded and
alarm, we're frequent. The historian says
''The inhabitants of Groton village were all
In confusion, removing their effects, when n
messenger from the fort was sent among
them to collect flannel to be used as wadding
for guns. Most of the portable goods having
been sent off, he was unsuccessful in his
search until he encountered Mrs. Anna Bal
ley, o warm.hearted, prompt impulsive wo-
man, who instantly dives,ed herself of her
flannel petticoat and HEALTHY devoted it to
the the fortress, displayed on the
end Of u pike and the story told to the gar
rison, who cheered the new banner with the
greatest enthusiasm" Which is correct.
Would it be trespassing if | were to add a
few personal "reminiscences IA simple offer.
ing to her memory?
The patriotism which prompted the his
toric deed alluded to, never lost its ardor
For several years each return of the ith of
July was n AIDE jubilee to the children of
the village, by general invitation 20 gather
into her yard, play among her flowers, and
partake Of liberal banquet spread under
the shade of the trees.
dent Jackson paid her visit in
in her old fashioned dress, the style of which
she never changed. Making warm clothing
for the poor, knitting warm stockings, and
giving them with her own hands, she called
distributing tracts"
Her heart was almost broken when the
old, implanted meeting house." two miles
away and black with age, was abandoned for
a new one in the village. She would never
enter the new edifce, but until by age disa-
bled the regular weekly pilgrimage was made
to the old one where, with hammer in hand,
she often replaced fallen plank or set up a
door to the old-fashioned pew; and returning
home would say, al have had a
good meeting" She had no chill
dren = survived her husband, quiet,
indulgent man, whom she loved devotedly,
only few years, dying in the same mansion
where her early married life was begun. Her
active mind lost its vigor memory failed,
and the last two or three years were spent in
all the dependence of helpless infancy The
painful truth must DO told, that in the
temporary absence Of the nurse from the
room one morning, the old lady, left a
moment before sitting in front of the fire,
Twas found lying dead in its blaze. Shocking
news to spread like lightning among those
who had known and loved her so many,
many years Nj. M. b.
DALLAS, July %, 1850.