Baileyville History

Continued

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…
(Continued in Second Section)
HISTORY OF BAILEYVILLE
(Continued from first section)
…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.

The March 11th “Stories from Yesteryear” post featured an article by Mrs. Bert Hay on the history of Baileyville, originally published in the May 22, 1952, issue of the Courier Tribune. Today, we continue that journey with the next chapter, as documented in the May 29, 1952, edition.

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HISTORY OF BAILEYVILLE
SCHOOLS AND STORES

Mrs. Bert Hay Continues Report of the Community

In a recent paper, Mrs. Bert Hay of Holton began a history of the Baileyville community. This continues the narrative:

District 94

There are no records that I could find prior to 1893, but the first teacher was Lottie Balmer. Then there were Wm. Boylan, G. W. Shields, Frank Pleyn, and Mabel Connable. Beginning with 1893, Julia O’Neal; C. E. Hazen, 1894; Kate Bushnell, 1895-7; Robert Biggart, 1898; Daisy Martin, 1899-1900; Lillian Fisher, 1901; Ella Runft, 1902; D. K. Hayes and Ben Nibert, 1902-3; Flora Baker, 1903-5; Emma McBratney, 1905-6; Roy Coffin, 1906.

Then began a period with two teachers: Emma McBratney and Linnie Sams, 1906-10; Chester Vernon and Linnie Sams, 1910; Charles Nickols and Linnie Sams, 1912; G. E. Battin and Linnie Sams, 1913; Linnie Sams and Susie Hines, 1914-1917; Annie Dorman and Georgia Davis, 1917-19.

Then one teacher again, Susie Hines, 1919; Golda Donelly, 1919-24; Mrs. L. G. Moore, 1926; Golda Donnelly, 1926; Clara Rackel, 1927; Helen Loucks, 1928-30; Estella Taylor (Ayers) 1931-32; Nolah Price, 1933-34; Josephine Mulvany, 1935; Nolah Price, 1936; Pauline Bulick, 1937.

The school has been taught by Catholic Sisters since 1938. Sister M. Pancratia headed the Sisters from 1938 to 1947 with nine teachers under her; Sister M. Helena, 1948; Sister M. Stevens, 1949, with 10 teachers; Sister M. Fredoline, 1950-51 with 10 teachers.

A picture of the early Baileyville school, taken during the term of Mr. Pleyn, the fourth teacher, shows 36 pupils present with the teacher. Mr. Walters, who was register of deeds at the time, was a visitor and was in the picture. This must have been in 1877-78. The picture gives a fine view of the school house. The house set at one end of the picture, the girls all at the other.

Perhaps I should explain my own schooling. When I was just five, in 1886, I started to district No. 70, to a Miss Webster; the next fall a Miss Lambertson, but on account of distance and cold weather I went only until Nov., 1885, then the next two years to Baileyville school. We were about a mile from the school house and a mile and three-quarters to No. 70. But they decided to charge tuition at Baileyville, so back to No. 70 I went until the fall of 1895. I went one term to Kate Bushnell in Baileyville, the next fall, 1896 started to Seneca high school, attended six months, got my teacher’s certificate and then began teaching. How marvelous high school was, and the students there were so lovely to me.

In 1902 the new Baileyville school house was in readiness. D. K. Hayes resigned and Ben Nibert finished out the term. Flora Baker was the primary teacher. One year of high school was added to the grades.

I have a good record of Dist. No. 70 and a partial record of Graham No. 3 which I hope to have ready soon.

A “School Strike”

When George Shields, teacher No. 3, was teaching in Baileyville, he had to go to western Kansas to prove up on a claim, so he was granted a leave. Several big boys decided he should treat the school before he left. He went home for dinner and when he returned every child was in the school house and the doors locked, securely. He was one angry teacher. My father had come for me on horseback. After a little persuasion the boys decided to hand me out of a window to my father. “I am sorry—I don’t know how the whole affair turned out, but anyway I got home.”

I remember another time in a blizzard of 1888 my father came for me early, on horseback, as did most of the parents. The sleet cut our faces, and though we didn’t have much of a blizzard, how glad we were to get home.

A German girl who worked at the Baileys’ attended school when Mr. Shields taught, in order to learn to read and write in English. I went with her and many a time she would carry me. She was always anxious to be home the Baileys’ and do as much work as she could.

Some early day storekeepers were A. J. Crow, Tatlows, Connets, Melendy, Will Graham, John Clency, later the Weisenborns, Davis, Wilson, and Frank Gockel.

A. M. Billingsley had a sorghum mill just south of the depot and made the best sorghum; some farmers had barrels of it. The Billingsleys were a fine, large family.

Stock Buyers

Cattle and hogs were shipped to St. Joseph, Kansas City, and Chicago. The stock buyer came to the farm and offered so much per pound. Sometimes, to finish out a car, they would “build up.” They ran the risk of a rise or fall in prices. The stock, if possible, was driven to the stock yards and loaded into freight cars. The seller could get a pass one way for a load, round trip if he had two loads. E. N. Bailey, Frank Wickliff, and P. J. Scott were stock buyers.

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More Stories to follow!

A link to the digital copies of the Seneca and Sabetha newspapers can be found on the GENEALOGY page of our website.

As the Nemaha County Historical Society is in the process of upgrading its museum management software, it is also reviewing the policies and procedures involved in the use of that software. At the annual meeting on Feb. 11, 2025, the board of directors were presented with a proposed collection policy. This proposed policy was developed with the help of Kansas State Historical Society museum staff.

A copy of this proposed policy can be found on the society’s website listed under the HOME tab. The board will consider adopting (or amending) the proposed policy at their next quarterly meeting.

Proposed Collections Policy