New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-16
OBITUARY..

THE AUTHOR OF THE LOG CABIN SONGS"
The Hon. John Greiner. Ex-Governor of New
Mexico and author of the once famous "Log Cabin"
songs OF the political campaign of 1sO died in Toledo on
Saturday morning. He was a resident OF Columbus
Ohio and was attending the Grand Lodge of OddFel0Ws
nj Toledo when he was struck with paralysis. Mr.
Grener born in 1870 and removed to the state oil ONO
when boy He was at one time editor OF The Stdte
Journal at Columbus, and afterward OF The Gazette at
the same place. and of The ZaneSce city Times. He took
active part the early Wing campaigns of the state; IN
fact the author of the Long Cabin Songs ana oher
popular political ballads he one OF the leaders OF
the party Among his songs still familiar in their tes
least, TO the younger men OF the present dy
are "Tppecanoe and Tyler too" and Old Zip Coon"
He composed the music accompany his songs ana the
people seized upon both air aud words win
enthusiasm and eagerness. He frequently sang
his own songs immense gatherings during the excite
ment of the campaign; and other tongues than ms
echoed them at monster Wing meetings in all parts OF
the country, North and South. Mr.. Greiner was APP
pointed Indian Agent by President Taylor, and Pres-
dent Fillmore afterward appointed him Governor of New
Mexico He was absent in the far West about nine
years On his return he found political combinations
with which lac unfamiliar and IN which he TOOK
little interest. The relative positions of men whom
lie had ridculed praised were in many cases
changed, and he has been heard Of but little
during late years. At the time of his DEATH he had re-
at Columbus.
The Toledo Blade says:
OF late years political songs were ont of fashion, but
the old son g-singer busy in other circles Al ed-
toral conventions, pioneer meetings, OddFeiloWs'
gatherings he happy Of old in song aud joke,
aud he appeared on such occasions, the
Younger generation remember him. He was
member of the order Of Odd-FellOws for
over years, and at every annual meeting or
extraordinary gathering, he was much expected 10
sing an nprOmptu song he expected to be pres
emit Very few of these songs of later years nave a
reared IN print for the simple reason uat
the singer slipped away as soon as the sOhS
was sung, and put the rough draft IN the hfc.
The two best Efforts, quite equal to the songs
OF 1s40the pioneer song Of Aug 1862 at Columbus ana
his Odd-FelOw song at GAINESVILLE, last Winter-%elc
unanswered into print The deceased was modest clear
minded warmheartcd. He wrote an article with fice
song 10 cheer amuse TO render easy CONVECTION
In his own language "he thought in rhyme. To those
most familiar, he would talk for hours in an easy
measured versehalf chant and half song He was eN
tremey sensitive to impresOns-was quick 10 see the
good in any persOnand every person quick To see
the life and good in him. He was of the people aud
among the people, and never aspred TO any great ehor
I'm composition. He often said, 81 know just what
can DO, and / perfectly conscious that
wOuld fail In other attempts" He went near %
the hearts of all people. While his friends were drink
ing wine at long tables-a temperance man 10 the last
hmself-he drank not but watched for incidents for his
inprOmptu song These songs suited the place ana me
and very often did suit he said, any other place ana
tine They were cried or laughed over ana hved
only in the heart.