Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-08
FAMOUS OLD TAVERN GONE
Abraham Lincoln and other circuit
Riders Snapped Stories
There.

With the demolition Of the old Kelley
tavern at Urbana there passed one OF the
famous old hostelries OF Illinois. Built In
1899. the old tavern became the stopping
place of all westbound travellers, 1t being
the only hotel between Danville and
Urbana on the state road.
For years 1t enjoyed great popularity.
especially during its ownership by Joseph
Kelley, who operated It from 1s49 until
1854 During the eos 1t was the regular
stopping place Of the old-time circuit rid
ing lawyers, among whom were Abraham
Lincoln and Judge David Davis Both Lin
coin and Davis were warm friends Of Kel-
ley, whose ready wit and great fund OF
stories made him favorite with both men.
Kelley was a great story teller, and during
the months intervening between the April
and September terms of court he searched
asslduously for new stories to tell Abe.
When Lincoln and the retinue of circuit
riding lawyers and judge arrived Kelley
was in his glory. Out on the long porch
Of the hotel or before the immense fireplace
he and Lincoln would sit for hours swap
ping stories" to the delight of the other
lawyers.
often Lincoln's coming. being heralded
about the surrounding country, drew scores
quently residents OF Urbana drove down
to enjoy the contest between the two great
story tellers. However we'll equipped with
new material was Mr. Kelley, he always
found himself vanquished by Mr.. Lincoln.
whose fund OF anecdotes seemed mex
haustible. Old residents say that the two
champions frequently told stories almost
ell night, Lincoln sitting in an immense
armchair, with wide rockers and a buffalo
robe cushion, known to the household as
"Abes chair" The old chair is still In
the possession Of the Kelley family, one OF
its most cherished heirlooms.
During the latter days Of his circuit rid
ing, and while travelling from town to
town on his campaigning tours, the visits
Of Mr.. Lincoln became famous for i'm
promptu political gatherings. Often LIN
coin would sit for hours in the barroom
OF the tavern, expounding his views to
the crowds assembled to hear him. Mr..
Kelley frequently asserted that Lincoln
was one Of the few guests Of the place
who never patronized the bar. This was
rare, for good" whisky, brought from the
Wabash country by an itinerant preacher,
sold over the bar for s7h cents a gallon,
and practically every man, including the
ministers and school teachers. took his
dram"
The old tavern played an important part
in the social life Of the community. Here
during the winter months assembled all
the young people for miles around to dance
and enjoy themselves. In the yard were
held Il turkey shoots on Thanksgiving
and Christmas, when the pioneers assem-
bled to prove their wonderful skill with
their old Misunderstanding firearms. Whisky
on these occasions flowed freely, and some
famous lights have occurred about the old
building. but for the most part the early
settler was good-natured. even in his cups,
and no serious damage was done in these
encounters.
With the coming OF the railroads and
| the passing Of the stage coach the CID
tavern suffered a lamentable falling on in
business, and after a precarious existence
It was closed and the building became the
home of a tenant farmer. Later II was
used for the storage OF grain and farm
implements. Failing into decay, II has a
last been torn down, after an existence
OF seventy-hve years, many Of it's timber
going into the new barn.-st. Louis Globe
Democrat.