While poking about my family tree things, and remembering the postcard photo I sent you with William Jennings Bryan on it,  I went back to the 1910 census and found an interesting little tidbit.  One of the people on the porch is Nellie Billings.  She lived at 224 Grape Street in Gallipolis.  When I enlarged the photo on the computer screen, the number on the building over the doorway is 224.   I live in California and have never been to Ohio, so can't check these things for myself, but is that the building in the photo ?  According to the 1910 census, several people were living there, almost as if it was a boarding house, but the residents weren't listed as boarders. 

News article from the Gallipolis Bulletin

Bryan Speech a Record Breaker
Biggest Crowd for Years Heard Great Nebraskan Lecture at the Fair Grounds Thursday

He arrived on the Hocking Valley train accompanied by Col. and Mrs. Vance and was met by a reception committee consisting of Mayor Kerr, Dr. Claude Parker, F.M. Bovie, M.F. Merriman, and taken in Mr. Bovie’s automobile to the residence of Mr. Soden where he was entertained. Mrs. Soden is a second cousin of Mr. Bryan, her mother, Mrs. Thos. G. Hogg being a full cousin. An elegant dinner was served, the guests of honor being, Col. and Mrs. Vance, Mrs. And Mrs. T.G. Hogg, Miss Nellie Billings and Messrs. Edwin Hogg, Dr. Claude Parker, M.F. Merriman and F.M. Bovie, besides the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Soden.

An enthusiastic crowd greeted Mr. Bryan at the depot and it was with great difficulty that he made his way to the waiting automobile. Democrats and Republicans alike struggling to shake hands with the great Commoner. At the Chautauqua grounds he was given a grand reception, when introduced by Col. John L. Vance. He stated that Gallipolis was the first town he remembered ever of hearing of in Ohio, because he had relatives living here and his father for a short time had lived near here, while his grandfather had lived and died across the river in West Virginia.

He made a few remarks justifying his political career and stated that while he was interested in the problems of the government he was more interested in religion, and gradually drifted into his subject, “The Prince of Peace.” It was an eloquent, magnificent effort, delivered in simple, effective language, that carried conviction to the audience. He was in good voice, and held the attention of the five thousand people to the end. At the close of the address he held a reception at the grand stand from which he spoke and over a thousand took advantage of the opportunity of shaking his hand. He left on the evening B. & O. for Huntington.

Bryan Day brought one of the largest crowds that has been in Gallipolis for many years. They began arriving early, in buggies, on foot, on horseback and by train, and they all went to hear Bryan. Gallipolis was proud to entertain the man who has been honored not only by his own people, but by the people and rulers of every civilized nation in the world and right well she acquitted herself.

Gallipolis Bulletin

August 12, 1910