The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-15
SCENES AT SALEM.
What the Old Settlers Say About Bry-
an and Ills Eafilcr

SALEM. ILL.,, July 1.-THE Inhabitants
of this quiet town were rather slow in get
ting about to-day. The demonstration of
last night appears TO have been rather
too much for them and everybody. weary
from the unaccustomcd loss of sleep. re-
maned in bed until the sun was high in
the heavens. Then they began to assem-
bic in small groups about the courthouse
square and TO talk of the wonderful dis
play that had been made in honor of the
return of William j. Bryan. the presiden-
tial nominee of the Democratic party.
The oldest settlers and the town is full
of them. recounted stories ana anecdotes
of Mr.. Bryan when he was known as a
barefooted boy in this region years ago.
Prophets among those old residents were
numerous. 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 Oldest settlers say he was in his
time the best pleader and jury lawyer in
this part of the State. and he had the rep
utation of being a remarkably clever
campaigner or stump speaker.
This town was laid out by the early
white settlers long before Illinois was add
mitted TO the Union The main thorough
fare OF the city. the one on which the
house where Mr.. Bryan was born stands.
was the old national road. surveyed from
Pittsburg, Cincinnati Vincennes and st.
Louis. 1t was over this road that the
United States mails were transported. AT
the age of nineteen Silas Bryan settled IN
this section. coming from Culpepper Court
house. Va. where he was born. His ia
ther was a soldier in the war of the revo-
luton. On settling here Bryan began the
study of law. A year later he was
admitted to practice before the courts CT
the State A few months later he married
Miss Jennings. daughter of "A prominent
farmer and one of the early settlers OF
the State. Being a thrifty man Bryan
prcspered and soon was able 10 put up
little home. It was a little story and
half frame building. with Il porch run
ming the entire length along the front.
1t had four rooms downs stairs and three
ter. II vas painted white and had green
binds The house still stands and is now
the center of attraction for all visitors
To this place, for il was here that William
) riyan was born. II Is not different
rrrF1i scores OF other houses along the
| street though during the last score years
OF SO several houses more pretentious IN
size have been erected.
AN ATTRACTIVE TOWN.
Salem is an attractive town. Every one
of tae streets are broad and every one has
q row Of gigantic maple trees on each side,
so that the use OF an umbrella in hot sui
try v-eatr,er now prevailing is unnecessary
| &c, protLct one from the glare OF the sun.
r,ae lswns about the houses are we'll kept
aEc Il, comfort-loving inhabitants have
/ iearIrd the use OF hammocks, for beneath
! the trees wf::.:h surround every house these
| restfts Inventions are swung. The old stone
| courtlc use, where for twelve years Judge
| Sllas Bryan sat upon the bench. still stands
| in the public square. which il the business
,enter OF the village. This courthouse Was
| tait. according to the early settlers. along
! MA nte1 around il in the tlr.e OF It's building
/ sill stand and furnishes lux uriant shade FOR
/ the citizens who. during the summer have
much leisure time.
Mr and Mrs. Bryan. like the inhabitants
| of the town. were weary this morning
| Thcy rested until O'Clock and. going up tc
| breakfast they had spring chicken and
| fried potatoes and b.ackberries grown III
| the yard OF his sisters home. and coffee
With them at breakfast were w. j. Bairc
and his wife. Mr. Bryans sister. and the
Misses Mamie and Mamie Bryan. two at
| tractive-looking young women. who have
| lust finished their college education. After
| breakfast Mrs. Bryan remained home
/ while Mr. Bryan went 10 the court 10 at
tend to some business connected with hi,
| mothers estate. At dinner time Afr. Bryan
| his wife and two unmarried sisters went e
(Centinued on second Pase1