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FIVE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest..... ================================ If you can’t open the three photos that accompany this email newsletter, go to: http://www.berkshistory.org/histsoc/news.html ================================ 1- Hist. Soc.’s BASKET exhibit opens Sun., Mar. 16th 1 to 4 2- Albany Twp. H.S. has French & Indian War program Mon. 3- An astonishing 1873 Hamburg story presents a mystery! 4- A FUNNY poem by Kutztown poet Harry D. Eshleman 5- Mystery photo of farm at Liscum, near Kutztown. HELP! ================================ 1- "Basketry---A Useful Art" exhibit will open in the Society’s Exhibition Hall this Sunday, March 16th, at 1 p.m. (Ends at 3:45) At 2 p.m., Patty Dillman will speak about traditional willow basketry and demonstrate her skill. For those who know nothing about baskets and feel there isn’t much to them, you are in for a surprise. There is a great variety and quite a history locally. Some on display defy belief due to their great intricacy---and their size: from one you can sit inside to one designed to hold ONE JELLY BEAN! Berks once had a United States post office on the Alsace- Ruscombmanor border with the name "Basket, PA." It existed from Jan. 9, 1888 to May 31, 1905. Reuben Reifsnyder, the first basket-maker at Basket and a disabled Civil War vet, was the postmaster. It was because of his leg injury that he began basket-weaving, an occupation he could pursue sitting down. The basket exhibit will continue until June 21st. This major exhibit is sponsored by the Widgeon Foundation, Jennifer Malmberg, secretary. Mark your calendars: On Sat., April 12th, from 10 to 3, at the Historical Society, there will be a Basket Fair that will feature the work of a number of present-day basket weavers. Some baskets will be for sale. Come see how they are made. ================================= 2- The Albany Township Historical Society’s meeting on Monday, March 17, 2003, at the Kempton Fire Company, at 7:30 PM., will feature a program by Mark Hagenbuch, a descendant of early Albany Township pioneers and an 18th- Century re-enactor. Mark will speak on the French & Indian War. The program is free and open to the public. Deanna Wahler for Albany Township Historical Society http://www.albanyths.org ==================================== 3- Through the kindness of Jim Lyons of Mountain View, CA, we present this UNUSUAL article about John Bailey (or Baily; it’s spelled both ways in the article), a 98-year-old resident of Hamburg, PA. The piece appeared on page one of the "The Union Democrat" of Sonora, Tuolumne County, CA, on Saturday, Sept. 6th, 1873. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hamburg, Pa., Aug. 13th ---- Here in this quiet little village stands a great heavy farm wagon, loaded with lumber, under an old dilapidated shed; and this same wagon, with its load, has been standing there 61 years this summer. John Baily, the man who owns the wagon, is now about 98 years of age, and has lived here very nearly all his life. He is a quiet and unassuming person who bears his years well and is known all over this section as one of the most eccentric men in the state. This morning I was shown the great four-wheeled curiosity standing under the shed. My guide was an old and reliable citizen of the place. The shed stands very near the house and is situated about the center of the town. Inside the shed stands the wagon, loaded with pine boards, just as it had been left in 1812. The sight was anything but inviting. Cobwebs and dust hung heavy from the board sides and roof of the old shed., and the despoiling hand of time had wrought run in upon the entire surroundings. The wheels had warped and the iron tires had fallen down; and as they dropped, so they remained now. The heavy spokes of the wheels stick in the ground fully six inches, and it is thought they will rot in a very short time, and thus throw the entire mass to the ground. I turned to the gentleman with me and asked him the facts concerning such a remarkable curiosity. He replied: "I am nearly 70 years old and was about 9 when Bailey made his vow. I remember quite well when he was building the old house there [pointing to the old residence of Mr. Bailey], for I carried water to the men as they worked. In those days we had no railroads, and express and mail lines went to the large cities by horse and wagon. Most of our building material was bought at Philadelphia and brought to this place by horse and wagon. Baily was a young man then, but a hard-working, independent, self-willed person. His house was nearly finished and the last load of lumber had been brought from the sea coast. Bailey was not married but was looking with longing eyes to a bright and blushing woman whom he had visited or courted but three times and had obtained what he thought was sufficient encouragement that all was right. But there was a rival in the case. Another young man’s affections drifted to the same spot, and upon several occasions lover No. 2 had been very kindly received and entertained; and there grew up a jealousy. Lover No. 1 commenced building his house; likewise No. 2. Both proceeded in the work until a load of pine boards for finishing was needed. No. 1 had a wagon, and as the only place the boards were to be had was at Philadelphia, Bailey proceeded thither, got what he wanted and returned. Lover No. 2, being on speaking terms with the parents of the girl, married the object of his love in the absence of No. 1, and when the latter returned he was mortified beyond measure. He drove his wagon under the shed, unharnessed his horses, put them away, and as he left the wagon, he declared it should stand there as long as time lasts into eternity! My informant invited me to see this strange character. He was sitting on an old hickory arm-chair looking out upon his great-grandchildren at play in the yard. He is too old to move about much and rarely gets out. An impediment in his speech renders it almost impossible to understand him. I asked about the wagon, and he smiled faintly and replied that in all probability I heard the correct history; that he had kept his word so long, and he hoped he could keep it always. I asked him what "word" he had kept. He said that when he drove the wagon under the shed, he took an oath he would never unload it or allow it to be unloaded, nor would he ever use the wagon or the boards. It is a stipulation in his will that nobody shall molest the wagon; on the contrary it shall be protected all the time, and, if possible, preserve it until this world is no more! Bailey married another woman soon after his first disappointment and she died six years ago, aged 80 years. They have several children who seem determined to carry out the desire of the old man. They declare that when the property passes into their hands the father’s will shall be respected; and as Hamburg will never be much more than it is now, it is quite likely that the old wagon and its load will either out-live time or meet the fate of the "wonderful one-horse shay." -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A check of the 1862 map of Hamburg shows "Jn. Bailey owning numerous properties around the town. The 1876 Davis map is no more helpful in pinpointing the house that once had a shed behind it with its unusual contents. Has anyone ever heard about John and his wagon and pine boards? Inquiries are presently being made in Hamburg. When something of substance is discovered, we’ll bring you an update. ============================ 4- Harry D. Eshleman of Kutztown---a retired professor of K.U. , editor of BOOKENDS magazine, and an obviously talented poet---spoke about local poets at a recent First Thursday program at the Society. At the conclusion of his talk, he read one of his creations, "Fire Code." You will be able to judge the audience’s reaction after you read it. -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FIRE CODE Hello, we’re glad your call got through. Your fire department welcomes you. Right now there’s no one near the phone. Please try to make your problem known. If hints of burning have begun just press that button number one. If wisps of smoke are showing through, then hit your button number two. Try pressing button number three if tiny tongues of flame you see. But better push down number four if blazing timbers block your door. When doubtful you’ll escape alive, make one last stab at number five. Then if you want our trucks to call, don’t press one button, press them all. To help us find your fire trap, please hang up phone and fax a map! ============================== 5- MYSTERY PHOTO This picture, recently donated to the Society, is identified on the back of the cardboard mounting board with only these words: "farm near Liscum" Does anyone recognize the farm? I’d guess the house survives if nothing else. Liscum was a rural post office near Kutztown that existed from 1901 to 1905. ================== gmmix ===== end =====

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