Albany, New York, claims Mr. James M. Bailey, of the Danbury News,
as her offspring. The boyhood days of the Danbury News man were
characterized by nothing unusual or exciting. At an early age he left
school and sought a situation in a grocery store. As a grocer, James
proved an utter failure, and without hesitation left his newly found
occupation, and soon after took to the law, building air castles of a
great and glorious future.
Not satisfied, however, with the fullness of his money coffers, Bailey
deserted the law to seek a more profitable business. He gave up all
professional desires and turned mechanic, serving two long years
as a carpenter. But in 1862 the war of the Rebellion again changed
his occupation, and Bailey, with all the patriotism of an American
youth, enlisted as a private in the Seventh regiment of Connecticut
volunteers. For three years he fought with a desperation only equalled
by his desperate attempts at producing puns, in after years.
In the early part of 1866 Bailey, in company with T. Donovan, purchased
the Danbury (Connecticut) Times. In 1870 the firm purchased the only
opposition paper in the town, and named the result of the combination
the Danbury News. In 1873 Bailey made a trip to California, and in
April of the next year went to Europe, where he remained until 1875.
During these travels he wrote constantly for his paper, and by so doing
acquired the title of “the Danbury News Man.”
In 1873 Bailey issued, through the Boston house of Lee & Shepard,
his first volume of humorous sketches, under the caption of Life
in Danbury. The book had a tremendous sale for several years, and
fully fifty thousand copies were sold. In the fall of the same year
he produced an almanac, the first and last work of the kind he ever
published.
As a lecturer Bailey has never been a great success. Perhaps if he
had entered the lecture field in 1874, at which time he was far more
popular than at any time during his life, he would have realized a
small fortune from his lectures. But as a speaker he never made the
name he has acquired through his writings. In 1877, They all Do It was
issued and so well was the volume received that the Danbury News Man’s
name again became a household word. Another work which appeared in
1879, also became quite popular. It was entitled Mr. Phillips’ Goneness.
Bailey’s first humorous paragraph appeared in the News in 1872, and,
by January of the next year, his productions were being published in
almost every paper in the country. About this time a special edition
of the News was issued for general circulation throughout the country.
It took exceedingly well for several years, but was discontinued about
two years ago. Bailey has acquired his fame and fortune through his own
endeavors and struggles in the world. He is a self-made man in every
respect. He is quite prepossessing in his personal appearance, his
manner is dignified and pleasing, his demeanor modest and unassuming,
and his countenance honest and frank. In his face there is nothing to
note his humor, save the merry, bright, and unmistakable twinkle of the
eye.
Some time ago an entertainment was given in New York, in honor of
Robert J. Burdette, of the Burlington Hawkeye. To W. A. Croffut, who
gave the entertainment, the Danbury News Man wrote the following letter
of request:
“MY DEAR CROFFUT:--Your invitation received, and I thank you heartily
for it, while I regret that I am unable to accept it. Age and the
cares of life (I have two of the puzzles) are giving me away, and
prevent me from taking a journey to your city. Besides we are getting
ready to move, and my wife feels that much of the symmetry of the
performance would be lost, if I were not here to permeate it with
my presence. One of our carpets is so worn that it could hardly be
trusted in the hands of a stranger, and it will be necessary for me
to shake it in person. This I cannot very well avoid, or I would.
Confidentially, my desire to be here is to prevent the removal to the
new house of about two tons of old rubbish that no one but a woman
would think of carting around. You are married and will understand me.
Give my regards to the guest of the evening, and tell him that I hope
to have the pleasure some time of taking him by the hand.
“Yours sincerely,