"PAPA" JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS

This week, June Hamel's interesting and informative presentation on John Lapham Bullis gave attendees an overall look at Macedon's military hero --  as a son, brother, husband, and father.

Over the past nine years, we've posted information about his distinguished military career and his relationship with his parents and siblings. So today, we're sharing with you John Lapham Bullis's "husband and father side" with this photo of his second wife, Josephine Withers Bullis, holding their three daughters: Octavia, and twins Lydia, and Anita.

Josephine Withers (of San Antonio, Texas) and John Latham Bullis were married on September 8, 1891. Twins Lydia and Anita were born September 7 & 8, 1892; Octavia, on April 5, 1894. 

So far, volunteers have found very few documents relating to this family's private life; however, we think that "Papa" John Lapham Bullis must have been quite proud of his family (after all, he waited over 50 years to be a dad). So we think it's fair to surmise that he doted over them as much as he could, given his demanding life.  And, at the end of the day,  he must have looked forward to returning home from his assignments, knowing that his four girls were waiting to greet him.  

JOHN LAPHAM BULLIS

Please plan to join us at  2 PM on May 24th in the Bullis Room at Macedon Public Library  as June Hamell  presents a program on John Lapham Bullis.

As you probably know from our many blog posts on John Latham Bullis, he was a distinguished and much-decorated soldier in the Civil and  Spanish-American wars.  

So ... You are invited to June Hamell's presentation on May 24 for the "rest of the story" of this great man.

SCENES FROM THE BULLIS ROOM

For those of you who are unable to visit the Bullis Room in person, here are some photos to give you an idea of what the Bullis Room is and what goes on within its walls.

First, a photo of a frequent Bullis Room visitor, relaxing in one of the room's "easy chairs" and soaking up that wonderful old-book atmosphere and aroma.

Second, a scene looking out the north-facing window into the main library and showing the room's computer work station.

Third, a photo of the state and local history section which can be enjoyed while sitting in the rocking chair (which includes an afghan for chilly days).

And,

Fourth, a photo looking out one of the room's southern-exposure windows with the work table in the foreground, and the US history section on the right.

We hope you've enjoyed this virtual visit. And if you're in the area, please stop in soon and experience the room and its contents.

THE ROBIN

It's that time of year again ... and here's Charlie Bullis's poem, written when he was a young man. 

"written and read Arbor day May 4 1906                                 

The Robin.

                                                               by C. R. Bullis

In the bight days of early spring

A robin from the south took wing

Thrilled by memories of the past

He flew to the north straight and fast

Through the pale ethereal blue

Unto his native land he flew

Through the bright day and strlit night

He proceded in his long flight.

At last all wearied from his flight

As the first reays of the suns light

Appeared over the eastern hill

At home on a pine he sat still.

For a few weeks he flew about

In every tree and bush and out

And in the balmy evening air

His song resounded clear and fair"

CINCO DE MAYO

Today is May 5, the day commemorated in Mexico (and here, as well) as Cinco de Mayo, in remembrance of that country's 1862 victory in the Battle of Puebla.

One way to celebrate this day is to partake of some wonderful local Mexican cuisine available at several restaurants in this area.  (Some of our Bullis volunteers are planning to do just that!)

And - another way to commemorate this day is to stop by the Bullis Room and look through some of the books on Mexico. Here are two to get you started:

Mexico and the United States;

their mutual relations and common interests

by  Gorham Dummer Abbott (1807-1874

Published: New York, G. P. Putnam & Son, 1869

Mexico: the wonderland of the South

by William English Carson (1870 - )

Published: New York, Macmillan, 1912

As you know, you have an open invitation to look on the shelves for more books on this topic and any other area you're interested in. Remember ... the Bullis books are waiting! Please don't disappoint them!