Rev. P. B. Bailey, deceased, came to Texas in the year 1845. He became a citizen of Hopkins County in the year 1850. He was the father of seven children. These are all dead now but two Mrs. Mary Loving, mother of Wilber Loving, Hopkins County’s efficient and popular sheriff, and Mrs. M. E. Minter, wife of Capt. S. A. Minter, who lives in the Pine Forest neighborhood. He was a Methodist preacher and organized the first Methodist church that was ever established in the town of Sulphur Springs. The author has heard this great preacher deliver powerful sermons. He was a natural preacher. He loved his work intensely, and has been instrumental in converting more people, perhaps, than any divine of his day. His power of oratory was great, and when he became enthused, which he did with a full audience, his efforts were stupendous. On one occasion when he had preached the funeral sermon of a noble citizen of his acquaintance, he stepped from the pulpit to the floor and began singing an appropriate song, asking the audience to join in the singing. They were all too full. All tried to sing the song he had selected for the occasion, but failed. Women wept freely, old men and hardened sinners wept. Sobs and sighs hurts from sorrow-burdened souls in all parts of the assembly. People fell into one anothers arms and sobbed as if their hearts would break, so powerful had been his exhortations while delivering his sermon. But the grand old preacher is dead now. When he passed away a deep gloom settled down upon the whole community. He died in 1873 at Rev. Lowe’s residence in Sulphur Bluff. Thus passed away one of the most powerful gospel preachers of his day.
