Relic on the Lethe

After our lengthy visit to Clarke County, it seems fitting to take a short break with some poetry, this time printed in the Staunton Spectator, 29 August 1894 . The poem appears to have been written quite some time before it made its way to Staunton, with the earliest sighting found to date being in 1860 in the New York Saturday Press .  Unfortunately, the author's name has been anonymized with very common initials and a plain last name, and we've been unable to track down this poem printed in another location to help us hone in on the complete name for more in-depth research. This means we've also been unable to find any other examples of this poet's work, so at the end of the day we'll have to consider this still a case of "author unknown" despite being signed. Like our earlier Valentine stories, this poem should be out of copyright in the US, so the entire poem is reprinted here. Enjoy this glimpse of the 19th century! EYES OF BROWN AND BLUE.  Out of ...

While perusing through the first issue of the Morning News-Item, there was a notice about a Mr. Dooley visiting Winchester and his thoughts on the town. Breaking news pushed the item to the following day, December 4, 1906 . Not being familiar with who this Mr. Dooley might be but curious to get his impression of the town, I read on for a snapshot of Winchester at the end of 1906. Mr. Dooley and Mr. Hennessy on Their Way to Work, 1907, The New York Times.Reprinted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Feb. 17, 1907 . Our plucky reporter seems to have caught up with Mr. Dooley on the corner of North Loudoun and Piccadilly streets, where Mr. Dooley had spent the night at the Hotel Evans , now demolished. He was "contemplating the beauties of the Shenandoah Valley National Bank ," located across Piccadilly Street from the hotel, which still exists. The reporter quizzes Mr. Dooley on his experiences in town so far, and we can glean he "walked from me father George Washington Dooley...

From Winchester News, August 18, 1865 , are two short poems, possibly both by Barry Cornwall, but the first almost certainly is his. This front-page news reads: Should you dream ever of the days departed— Of youth and morning no more to return— Forget not me, so fond and passionate-hearted : Quiet at last, reposing Under the moss and fern.   There, where the fretful lake in stormy weather Comes circling round the reddening churchyard pines, Rest, and call back the hours we lost together, Taking of hope, and soaring Beyond poor earth’s confines.    If, for those heavenly dreams too dimly sighted, You became false—why, ’tis a story old ; I, overcome by pain and unrequited, Faded at last, and slumber Under the autumn mould.   Farewell, farewell ! No longer plighted lovers, Doomed for a day to sigh for sweet return; One lives, indeed; one-heart the green earth covers— Quiet at last, reposing Under the moss and fern. I've been hoping to uncover some local writing talent i...

Just the One Just fair enough to be pretty, Just gentle enough to be sweet, Just saucy enough to be witty, Just dainty enough to be neat. Just tall enough to be graceful, Just slight enough for a fay, Just dressy enough to be tasteful, Just merry enough to be gay. Just tears enough to be tender, Just sighs enough to be sad, Just soft enough to remember, Your heart through the cadence made glad. Just meek enough for submission, Just bold enough to be brave, Just pride enough for ambition, Just thoughtful enough to be grave. A tongue that can talk without harming, Just mischief enough to tease, Manners pleasant enough to be charming, That put you at once at your ease. Generous enough, and kind-hearted, Pure as the angels above; Ah, from her may I never be parted, For such is the maiden I adore.   American Magazine, February 1914 . Like our other poem plucked from The People's Voice, this one is also unattributed. Interestingly, it seems to have several versions, and no one attributed...

Revisiting the People's Voice, Volume 1, Number 1, 17 April 1880 , after the first poem we start off with what appears to be a short fictional story regarding a parrot. (Content warning for animal death.) This story appears - so far! - to have only appeared in this newspaper, not in any other books or papers easily searchable against our friend Google. There are not a lot of clues to go on for this story. The author wrote under the nom de plume Mrs Em. B. Dubbleyu (so likely the real initials are M.B.W., though one can never be sure). The name has not popped up in other searches either, leading to the idea this is a local author with only one story to her (or his) credit. So, what is this story? Although the newspaper is fragmentary, we can glean a young girl, Amy, is living with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Fielding. On a neighborhood walk in "a pretty Ohio village," Amy and her aunt are accosted by a green parrot named Poll, who calls the girl "Ada" and se...