First performance of "Cross of Gold" speech - Perry, IL
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 39° 47.065 W 090° 44.794
15S E 692965 N 4406258
He came here because it was his wife's home.
Waymark Code: WMK58N
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 02/15/2014
Views: 1
County of church: Pike County
Location of church: North St. & William St., Perry
Marker in backyard reads: "Site of first Willaim Jennings Bryan "CROSS OF GOLD SPEECH" in 1896, Lawn of Presbyterian Church, Perry, Illinois
If you are interested you can read the entire speech in the link below
"Perry was the birthplace of Mary Baird, wife of William Jennings Bryan, and the earliest known presentation of Bryan's famous 'Cross of Gold' speech was at a church social at the Perry Presbyterian Church. The text of the speech was printed in the local newspaper, now long-defunct." ~ Wikipedia
William Jennings Bryan was received as a member of First Church in 1877. From 1883 to 1888, after graduation from IC and law school in Chicago, he lived in Jacksonville and practiced law. During this time, he married, (Mary Baird of Perry, IL 10/1/1884) and taught a boys Sunday School Class at the State Street Church. In 1888 they transferred membership to First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, NE.
~ First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Illinois
A newer photo on Flicker shows a new ramp and a brick service notice marquee; items not there when I visited.
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