| Andover Intellectual Stimulation, The Lyceum Method, etc. A lyceum is an association which provides public concerts, lectures, entertainments, educational opportunities, etc. In Andover, a lyceum was inaugurated in the winter of 1882-1883. Bailey was 24 years old and was already involved in his intelectual self-improvement (Oxford Democrat December 26, 1882): "Andover. Dec. 21. A lyceum has been organized by the scholars in Dis't No. 4. At the first of the series held in No. 4 school house last Saturday evening, the following program was held: 1. Music ... 2. [declamation] ... 3. [declamation] ... 4. Discussion: 'Is Foreign Immigration a Curse or a Blessing to this Nation?' Affirmative - E. M. Bailey, J. O. Newton; negative - L. J. Akers, A. K. Bryant; 5. Music ... 6. [declamation] ... 7. [reading] ... 8. [reading] 9. Music ... After which the meeting adjorned for two weeks." On January 5, there was another lyceum meeting and the discussion pondered the question "Are Great Men the Greatest of Mankind?", but only Bryant and Newton were specifically listed as participants although it was noted "and others". There was also a full program of activities as before (Oxford Democrat January 9, 1883). On January 23 and February 6, 1883 (Oxford Democrat) it was announced that there was a meeting held at Number 3 School on Friday evening and at Number 4 School on Saturday evening and on February 27, 1883 it was reported that the lyceum was meeting at the Farmer's Hill school on Wednesday evening and later at the same school on April 10 where the discussion asked: "Is Agriculture or Manufacturing Maine's Leading Industry?" The discussion found in favor of agriculture. Bailey was certainly present at most of the winter's lyceums. By Spring, the lyceums gave way to farm work and were not reported in the warmer months. The lyceum at Farmer's Hill School continued "last Tuesday" [January 1] (January 8, 1884,Oxford Democrat) and two subsequent lyceums were reported without indicating whom were the participants (January 29 and February 19, 1884,Oxford Democrat). |
| Additional Bailey Activities Bailey was active in other organizations and his church. Lyceum-like meetings were not restricted to the Andover Lyceum and some of those events appeared in the personals column. On March 22, 1884, Bailey's name was mentioned: "The Ladies Circle of the Congregational Society met with Mrs. E. E. Merrill, Wednesday evening of this week. ... E. M. Bailey presented 'A Dream'. In spite of the storm attendance was large, the proceeds of the evening amounting to $10 or more."(April 1, 1884, Oxford Democrat). As with the Lyceum, The Ladies Circle met frequently, often in attempt at fund-raising, but most meetings reported had no participants recorded. The content of some meetings are listed, however, and give a marvelous insight of the style of entertainment widely discussed in magazines of the time period: "The entertainment consisted of a baked bean supper served at 6 o'clock, in the Tower Hall and music, vocal and instrumental, Tableaux, Shadow Pantomime and Magic Lantern Views and Select Readings. ... Another entertainment for the same purpose as the above is to be given at the Hall, Wednesday evening, Feb. 4, and no effort will be spared to make it the best of the season." On May 22, 1883 (Oxford Democrat), it was announced that Bailey was elected treasurer of the Congregational Church's Sabbath School. Sadie Bailey was also active in her church (May 5, 1885, Oxford Democrat) as she was elected "collector" of the Congregational Church's Ladies Circle. It is uncertain if the Bailey "children", Edmund, Sadie, and Laninia, were living on the same farm with their parents, although it is probable that they were still at home. Sadie did visit over the winter of 1885-1886 in Augusta (November 24, 1885, Oxford Democrat ). If the Bailey "children" did live at "home", they certainly enjoyed the active circle of friends and neighbors of their parents (December 8, 1885, Oxford Democrat ): "There was a pleasant sociable at Mrs. J. H. Bailey's, Wednesday evening of this week." "The M. E. Ladies Circle met with Miss Sadie J. Bailey Wednesdat evening of last week." (March 4, 1890, Oxford Democrat). "The M. E. Circle met with Miss Sadie Bailey last week." "Sadie Bailey has gone to Berwick, Me., for the winter." (December 16, 1890, Oxford Democrat). As was typical of his time, a great many people, including Bailey, belonged to a temperance club. On July 2, 1887, a temperance group, The Lone Mountain Lodge of Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized in Andover and Edmund Bailey was the first secretary of that group (July 12, 1887, Oxford Democrat) and he was installed in the Autumn (November 8, 1887, Oxford Democrat). On July 1, 1888, E. M. Bailey's election as "chaplain" of I. O. G. T. was announced (Oxford Democrat), while the next year he was "C. T." (February 5, 1889, Oxford Democrat). In January, 1890, Sadie was elected "V. T." [vice-president of the Templars] and Edmund was elected "F. S." (February 4, 1890, Oxford Democrat). Ed Bailey was elected secretary again (August 12, 1890, Oxford Democrat), while the following year he was elected "L. D.", the lodge's highest office (May 12, 1891, Oxford Democrat) and it was explained that E. M. Bailey, "Lodge Deputy" installed the new officers. (August 4, 1891, Oxford Democrat). Edmund was also a Republican. During the presidential election of 1884, James G. Blaine. Maine's native son, was a candidate and the State Republican Party organized to insure a large turnout at the polls: "A Blaine and Logan Club was organized here last night to be known as 'The Andover Blaine and Logan Club,' with the following officers: President, L. F. Jones; Vice President, O. A. Gordon; Recording Secretary, E. M. Bailey; Corresponding Secretary, M. F. Corson; Treasurer, J. L. Bailey; Prudential Committee, F. S. Smith, S. W. Richards, L. R. Hall, Joel Merrill, O. J. Lovejoy. It is a live Club and will do good work. Regular meetings are to be held Friday night of each week. A Blaine and Logan flag is to be immediately procurred." (July 1, 1884, Oxford Democrat). In 1941, the University of Maine awarded Bailey an honorary Master of Arts degree in recognition of a lifetime's achievement in amateur mineralogy. |
| Ed Bailey - page five |
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