Baileyville History

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As originally published in the Courier Tribune on 5 June 1952.

Stories from Yesteryear: A Glimpse into Early Baileyville
Every town has its roots—stories of grit, faith, family, and the unwavering spirit of those who came before us. In this edition of Stories from Yesteryear, we share excerpts from a 1952 Courier Tribune series that capture the early days of Baileyville, Kansas, as remembered by descendants of its first settlers.
Told through the voice of Mrs. Bert Hay Holton and based on community memories, these clippings highlight families like the Scotts, Sullivans, and Henleys, who braved frontier hardships, built homesteads, and helped shape the fabric of the town. These narratives, rich with pioneer resilience and small-town heart, remind us how far we’ve come—and how important it is to remember.
HISTORY OF BAILEYVILLE
Some of the Pioneers
Continuing a history of Baileyville and the nearby area, Mrs. Bert Hay. Holton, writes today of some of the early families—
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Scott
Catherine Agnes Hogan and William Scott were married in 1859 in Cannington, Canada. They came to Kansas with five children, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, William and Richard, a nursing baby, in 1867. They lived at St. Benedict, then called Wildcat, for a year, then on the Thos. Sullivan farm for two years, and homesteaded in 1870 the northwest quarter of section 28—the section Baileyville is on, the homestead on which the Scott family has now lived and possessed for 82 years.
When they settled, not another human habitation was in sight for ten years. Phil, Ella, and Agnes were born on this place and still live there. Ella died a few years ago. They all lived the privations of pioneer days, sharing with everyone who needed help. They saw the Grand Island railroad constructed and Mrs. Scott washed and mended for the workers. The love that she had for all humanity made her the idol of the community. No one ever left her door hungry.
Mr. Scott passed away in March, 1882. He was fatally burned coming home from Axtell, with a wagon load of groceries and provisions and a 5-gallon kerosene can. The man riding with him lighted his pipe and the match fell into the straw-covered bottom of the wagon. They found they couldn’t get the fire out. Mr. Scott was un-hitching the team when the can of kerosene exploded, burning him. He was able to walk home with the team he had saved. He realized he would not live and so sent for each of his men neighbors to tell them goodbye, and if anyone had aught against him, asked their forgiveness. He had not an enemy in the world and there was nothing to forgive. I have heard my father tell of this many times.
The widow was crushed but carried on courageously. All her children were married before this time.
While living on the Sullivan farm, Mrs. Scott narrowly escaped with her life from an attack by Indians.
It would be safe to say more people have crossed the Scott threshold than any other home.
She passed away March 17, 1923, just 41 years to a day after her husband’s death. I can only say that she was the best soul I ever knew and her children could not have been kinder or more devoted to her. I hope to write of each one.
Thomas Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan married Elizabeth Scott on Feb. 13, 1876. He had preempted the home-place, where his son Dan Sullivan now lives, in 1859. That was before the homestead law, and Dan writes that he has the patent in his safety deposit box in the Baileyville State Bank. This patent was signed by President Buchanan. Mr. Sullivan’s land was a mile south and a mile and a half west of Baileyville and he was here at the first capital of Kansas, near where Camp Funston is now located.
He had been a teamster, working for the government, hauling supplies from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake City, and when coming through this area, decided on his location.
He first lived in a dugout on the creek, later had a small house in the field between the dugout and where the present house now stands. About 1885 they moved to Baileyville, owning the property where the parish house now stands. The house, later the Magee house, is now the Sisters’ House. Tom Sullivan was born in this house in October, 1885.
They lived in Axtell a few years and the Arthur Davidsons lived on the farm, then they lived on the same farm the remainder of their lives. Mr. Sullivan passed away August 28, 1902.
At one time he attended the Graham school. He was anxious to learn U.S. History and geography. He had been educated in his native country, Ireland.
Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were the parents of six children—Dan, Tom, John, Mary, Edna, and Leo. The mother, Elizabeth, passed away at the parish house in Axtell Sept. 4, 1941. She was stricken while…
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HISTORY OF BAILEYVILLE
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…attending Mass and lived only a short time. She lived on the Baileyville farm 65 years. She worshipped at St. Michael’s church for many, many years. She was loved by everyone.
Dan Sullivan writes of other early settlers nearby. The Orem farm, now owned by Dan, was first owned by a William Varner, a soldier of the war of 1812, who got it in recognition of his services. Then owners were Robert W. Donnell, Green H. Lee, Joshua Lee, who sold it in March, 1880, to W. J. Orem for $400. He was the first to live on it.
I asked about the Cull family. They left early, moved to Oklahoma, obtained a claim—and in that race some of them became wealthy. Mike Eddy Cull came to get a log of the oil well that was drilled some years ago at the west end of Stringtown road, and visited old friends.
Another old-timer was Anthony Henley, who came in 1867. He was also a teamster, driving from Ft. Leavenworth to Salt Lake City, liked the country and so settled here. He first farmed at St. Bridget. He also bought his land. He also bought his land from a soldier. His wife was Ellen Finerty of St. Bridget. His son, Attie Henley of Axtell, thinks “Doc” Graham was the first teacher at Graham school, district 8. Ed Graham, “Doc’s” brother, was the one who ran Indians away from the Scott place. He was living on what later became the Torrence farm.
I would like more of a history of the Henley family.
This history comes from friends whose parents were early settlers, from information passed down through families, some from scrapbooks. Many who gave me much information have passed away. As one friend wrote, seventy or eighty years is a long time and few of us can look back that far.
Conclusion
These recollections of early Baileyville offer more than just names and dates—they preserve the voices, values, and everyday moments that defined a generation. From homesteading hardships to heartfelt community ties, these stories remind us that history lives on through the memories we share and the legacies we honor. As we continue to collect and preserve the history of Nemaha County, may we never forget the strength and spirit of those who came before us.