Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-25
A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE.
Charles M. Bailey, Oil Cloth King, Paid
Fitting Tribute on 35th Anniversary.

Winthrop Center. Nc, Oct. "a
(SpeciaD.-It was indeed a fitting
tribute to good and faithful man,
friend and citizen. that was accorded
Charles NJ. Bailey, the millionaire oil
cloth king of Baileyville, last evening,
in the Friends meeting house in
Baileyville. About $50 people, nearly
all of them residents of that section
of Winthrop known for over a half
century as BaileyviIlf, gathered in the
Friends meeting house and surprised
the venerable manufacturer and pro-
fessional philanthropist with the cor
dial reception, commemorative espcc-
tally the S5th anniversary of his birth.
The affair was one gigantic surprise
to Mr.. Bailey.
In the morning his relatives saw to
it that he loft for Il business trip to
Thomaston. 1t was also arranged,
without his knowledge, that he should
return home on the evening train. He
did so, as planned, and great was his
surprise and apprehension when he
saw. upon his return. that the whole
town was agleam with lights bustling
~ anu 1fp WIN carriages, excited
people and Eleeful children. Mr..
Bailey was escorted over to the meet
ing house shortly after s o'clock. and
as he entered the building, Dennis's
orchestra played a reception march.
There We're about $50 people in the
building. and all shook hands with Mr..
Bailey and extended congratula tons.
Mr.. Bailey was assisted in receiving
by Rev. q. NJ. Woodman and Mrs.
Woodman of Portland, and Mr.. and
Mrs. james +. BigeJow Of Portland.
At the conclusion of this ceremony.
Rev. Mr.. Woodman spoke a few we'll
chosen words of greeting to the as
sembled gathering. and offered, in be-
half of the guests congratulations to
Mr.. Bailey. who made fitting re-
Spouse and cordially thanked his
friends. He referred affectionately to
his wife, who is an invalid and who
was unable to be present, and to
whom he has been married 81 years,
and to his three children, all of whom
were present. They are c. I. and +.
A. Bailey, and Mrs. Elinora Woodman.
At Mr.. Bailey's suggestion, the great
party became more informal, and en-
joyed the evening as one large family.
The music furnished during the
evening by the orchestra was of the
highest order and immensely enjoyed.
In the parlOrs of the meeting house
an elaborate collation. was served by
Caterer A. l.. Grant of Lewiston.
Twenty young ladies served the ices
and other refreshments. The meeting
house was handsomely decorated with
bunting, multi colored streamers and
hangings, and yellow astors and
chrysanthemums. The gathering
broke up at II o'clock, and carriages
were furnished for those who lived in
the vicinity. and special cars ran to
Winthrop and Augusta.
The life work of Charles NJ. Bailey
is a familiar story to Maine people. a
brief resume Of his accomplishment
in life however. would not be amics
at this time. In 1874 he started i'll life
"a poor country boy and in a little
building in Winthrop. in company
with his father he began the manu-
facturc of oiled table cloths-then a
rare art. Since that time. by perScv"r
ance, thrift and keen business acu-
men, he has acquired a great fortune
to be estimated by milions-for he
is reputed to be the wealthiest man in
all Maine His factories at Baileyvillo
and Winthrop are of great size and
enormous capacity, and he also opcr-
ateS mammoth plant in SkoWhegan
Like all SucCo Ssful and wealthy men.
Mr. Bailey has his own peCuliarties
and ecCcntricteS-but Withal he is
thoroughly human, 4 devoted Chris
tian and a generous philanthropiSt
In company with Rev. Dwight l..
Moody he instituted the Mortified
Seminary. he is the patron of the
Oakland Seminary, and as the sup
porter of BaiIcy's Praying Band" he
is known throughout the land.
Truly is Charles NJ Bailey a great
and good man. and when his good
friends extended the right hand Of
cheer and good fellowship To him, last
evening, he said simply: Il could wish
: