The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-10-20
A PLEASANT SURPRISE
To MT. Jacob Baum His Sixty-First
Birthday Anniversary.


Birthday Anniversary.
On Wednesday, October IL, our old
and esteemed friend, Jacob Baum, Of
Plain township, passed the sixty-fiTst
anniversary of his birth. Without
thinking about it, he left home early to
go to work several miles away; but his
friends were not so ObliviOus to the
fact, and having prepared themselves
thoroughly, they took advantage of his
absence, and in large numbers began to
invade the rights of his home, and to
take possession of his house, yard and
barn, about ten o'clock in the morning.
When they were in full possession of
the premises and were assured
that later arrivals would enable
them to hold the fort against any
opposing force, Mr. John POntius was
sent to bring Mt. Baum home to spend
his birthday i'll an appropriate manner,
nOlens, volens. By ruse, Mr.. POntius,
after some difficulty got him into his
buggy and in due time they were ap-
preaching home, Mr.. Baum being as yet
in blissful ignorance of the real cause
for such summary proceedings. When
he saw a number of persons in the yard
of his neighbOrs across the way, and
later crowd of men in his own yard,
he became somewhat uneasy lest some
thing serious had happened to his fam
lily during his absence, but this was soon
dispelled by Mr.. POntius reminding him
that this was Jacob Baum's sixty-first
birthday. The wives and daughters of
the guests who had so unceremOniOusly
and fOrcibly put themselves upon him
for that day at least, were soon busy pre-
pairing dinner, and upon long tables, inn
prOvised for the occasion, in the yard,
such repast of essentials and access
sOries to tempt the palate was set out for
the guests and family, as only the rich
| abundance of Plain and surrounding
townships can afford. Men, women and
children all ate and were filled, and yet
many basketsful remained after all were
fully satisfied. The number of persons,
excluding the family was about one
hundred and twenty. After dinner a
still further and if possible, even great
er surprise awaited our friend Baum, of
which he was in total ignorance until it
was Immediately upon him. A purse of
/ twenty-five dollars or mere had been
contributed by those present, and a COM
mittee of gentlemen sent to Canton to
| purchase full suit of clothes for him.
After their return, the friends according
to previous arrangement, gradually
gathered between the out kitchen and
the main dwelling, and as Mr.. Baum up
on the call of his daughter, Mrs. Lantz,
was about passing to the house, the wri-
ter tapped him on the shoulder, arrested
him in his progress, and with few ap-
prOpriate remarks, presented the large
and mysterious bundle to him, as tOk-
en- of the regard and esteem of the
friends and neighbOrs among whom his
whole life had been spent. Many other
| presents were also given that day in a
like spirit, by individual guests. The
rest of the day was spent in social way,
everything passed off nicely and in or
der, and when separating at evening it
would be hard to tell which enjOyed it
the most, the assembled guests, or Mr..
Baum and his family. Mr.. Baum having
sold his place. expects to remove to an
other locality in the Spring, and he will
carry with him the good wishes of all
! present on this occasion and of many
| others who were prevented from attend
/ inc. d. w