The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-15
ALWAYS DID KNOW
Now 1T Is THE TURN OF THE
PROPHET AFTER THE EVENT.
In the Sleepy Hollow of the Sucker State
the Comfortable Inhabitants Gather
the Next Day After the Return of Their
Hero, and Agree, Each and all, That
They Always Did Say That Bill Bryan
Was Sure to Become Famous-Populist
National Secretary for Fuston--The Ri.
Observation-Disclosures

metallists-McKinley.
OF this quiet town were rather slow
in getting about today. The demon
tration Of last night appears to have
been rather too much for them, and
everybody, weary from the unaccus-
toned loss Of sleep, remained in bed I'M
TIL the sun was high in the heavens.
Then they began to assemble in small
groups about the court house square
and TO talk of the wonderful display
that had been made in honor OF the re-
turn of William J. Bryan, the presi-
Dental nominee OF the Democratic
party. The oldest settlers and the town
is full of them, recounted stories and
anecdotes Of Mr.. Bryan when he was
known as a barefooted boy in this re-
gion thirty years ago. Prophets
among the old residents were numer-
Gus. They said they always did know
that BILLY" Bryan was going to be
somebody. They all knew his father,
Judge SilaS Bryan, who settled here in
the early forties. Incidents in the life
of the old judge were recounted and
from what the old settlers say, he was
in his time the best pleader and jury
lawyer in this part of the state, and
he mad the reputation of being a re-
markably clever oampaigner or stump
speaker.
THE TOWN OF SALEM.
This town was laid out by the early
white settlers long before Illinois was
admitted TO the Union as a state. The
main thoroughfare of the city, the one
on which Mr.. Bryan's birthplace
stands, was the old national road sur
veyed from Pittsburg to Cincinnati and
en- to Vincennes and St. Louis. 1t was
over this road that the United States
mails were transported. At the age of
10 Silas Bryan settled in this section,
coming from Culpepper Court House,
Virginia, where he was born. His faith
er was a soldier in the war of the revo-
luton. On settling here Bryan began
the study of law. A year or so later
ne was admitted to practice before the
courts Of the state. A few months
later he married Miss Jennings, daugh-
ter of a prominent farmer, and one Of
the early settlers of the state.
SILAS BRYAN'S HOUSE.
Being a thrifty man, Bryan prosper
ed and soon was able to put up a little
home 1t was a little story and a half
frame building with the porch running
the entine length along the front. 1t
mad four rooms dow stairs and three
up stairs, and a. hallway through the
center. It was painted white, and had
green blinds. The house still stands
and Is now the center of attraction for
all visitors to this place, for 1t was here
that William ]. Bryan was born. IT is
not different fom scores Of other houses
h,a Of N tos
score OF years or 80 several houses moro
prstentlous In size have been erected.
But Salem is an attractive town. Ev-
cry one OF the streets Is broad and ev-
cry one has o row of gigantic maple
trees upon each side so that the use Of
an umbrella fn the hot Sultry weather
that now prevails is unnecessary to pro-
tect one from the glare OF the hot sun.
And the lawns about the houses are
well Kept, and The comfort-loving in
habftarts have learned the use Of ham
mocks for beneath tho trees which sur
round every house these restful tnven- |
lions are swung. The old stone court |
house. where for twelve years Judge |
Sllas Bryan sat upon the bench, still |
stands In the center Of the public !
square, which Is the business center Of |
the village. This court house was |
built according TO the early settlers, |
along in 1885 or 1856 and the old trees |
that planted around the structure at |
the time OF IT'S building still stand and |
furnish luxurant shade for the citizens, |
who. during the summer have much |
leisure time.
BRYAN'S BREAKFAST.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan, like the inhabI-
-ants Of the town were weary this
morning. They rested until o'clock
and going up TO breakfast they had
spring chicken and fried potatoes and
grown in the yard.
With them at breakfast were J. W.
Baird and his wife, Mr.. Bryan's sister
Ind the Misses Mamie and Matte
Bryan, two attractive looking young
women who have just finished their col
eye education. After breakfast, Mrs.
Bryan remained at home while Mr..
Bryan went to the court house to at
end to some business OF his mothers
state. At dinner time Mr.. Bryan, his
wife and unmarried sisters, went to the
lome of their aunt, Mrs. d. s. Marshall, |
Ind in the afternoon he drove about the
own and out TO the odd farm upon
which his father lived during the last
ears of his life. Mr.. Bryan himself Is
member of the Presbyterian church,
tut his father was a Baptist and, ac-
,ording TO Colonel Thomas Z. Merritt,
Who in the early days stumped the
ounty with cnfln, believed there was no
Aviation for a man unless ne was bap-
lied by immersion. But there were
,ot enough Baptists in the town TO sup
-ort a preacher regularly and so il was
hat services were only held in the Bap-
ist church twice a month and in that
way il came TO pass that William J.
Bryan attended Presbyterian services.
nd finally became a member OF that
hurch.
1t was arranged that Mr.. Bryan
hould drive out 10 Centralia, twelve
niles southwest OF here, where a dem
nstration was to be given tonight. IT
vas Mr.. Bryal's wish to remain quiet
ut the Centralia popu,ace had
made all the arrangements for a dis
LAY in his honor and he finally con-
ented to so. A big demonstration will
'e held here tomorrow and tomorrow
light. Governor Altgeld has been ad- .
-er1Sed as one OF the principal speak ,
rs.
BRYANS ANCESTRY. i
Kohomo, Ind. July 1.-THE great .
randnother Of William J. Bryan, the
sInocratac nominee for president. is a |
eSident OF this county. Her home Is !
the Stald Gnd quaint old town OF {
seT London. the former law seat OF the |
ounty, alld her name IS Mrs. Mary F. {
Dob. The venerable old lady is now
a her ssth year, having been born in I
>entucky IN 1901. She makes her honA
18th her Son-il-law. Moses McDaniels.
mo il himself SO years Of age. Mrs.
'oob's first husband was Louis BRYAN.
ae grea grandfather OF the young Ne
raskan. the line OF succession b-inS
souis Bryan. George Bryan. Si,as
,ryan and William JaF,rfpo,s r,-,-a-