The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-09-16

u" in the Columbus, TIA, In
qUirer, says;
Who has not read or sang that
rollicking, yet pathetic melody Of
"Rosin the Bow It was written,
as we are informed, by Mr.. Sparks,
now Of Atlanta. Colonel Brandford,
SAYS that the song was written on q
bon Uiuant named Rosim, who was a
| Jolly good fellow and a great ladies'
man. He was known as "Rosim the
beau, and the original song had his
name; but it was subsequently cor
rupted to "Rosin the bow.n and .
mere stirring air was never drawn
from fddIe-string by q rOsined
bow.
To the Augusta Constitutional
Noticing in the Columbus Sun En-
qxirer, a few days ago, an article
from Major Calhoun, in which allu-
sion is made to Col w. II. Sparks,
of New Orleans, now in this city, as
the original author Of this wellknown
and popular old scng, called his
attention to it. The following letter
is in reply to my inquiry. Colonel
Sparks is perhaps as well, if not bet
ter. known in the South than any
other man Of the old regime Of aris-
tocracy and wealth for which the
great Southwest became so famous
anterior to the war. He is the auth
or of highly interesting book enti-
tied Memories of Fifty Years"
The Colonel is now over IS years
of age, but still retains bis health,
constitutional vigor, and great men
tai strength to remarkable degree.
He numbered as his persona! associ-
ates and companions Of the long ago
such great personages as Daniel
Webster, Calhoun, General Jackson,
John Bell, Slidell, and most Of the
statesmen of note who aourished in
those times. In conversational pow
ers the Colonel is unsurpassed, and
bis familiarity and acquaintance with
ali the most prominent men and pub
lie incidents of half . century back
makes bis society really charming.
He, together with his excellent and
charming lady, have been spending
the summer at the Kimball House,
and the two have been the center Of
attraction for the number Of intelli-
gent guests who daily throng its par
I lors. But give you Colonel Sparks
own words, together with the origi
nal "Rossum, the beau"
j ATLANTA, Ca, aug. Al, 1874.
Mr.. w. H. Moore.
Mr. DEAR SIR: 1 am obliged TO
YOU for little paragraph from the
Columbus paper ascribing to me the
authorship of this song, ence so popu-
lar throughout the country.
1t is very true wrote the lines l
| send you, and they are the first that
were ever sung to the air, which be-
came famous.
will give you a brief history Of
: the writing and Of the man who in
spired them. When / first went to
the west, in 1926, / was sometime in
selecting domicile. Why, 1t is not
necessary for me to state, as the rea-
son causes for the delay viii form a
theme for q chapter in the second
volume of the Memories of Fifty
Years"
Finally, / located in Mississippi,
and commenced the practice Of law.
1t VAS in the midst Of the noblest race
of people l had ever known. Among
these were two equally remarkable,
but very unlike. One was q school
: master, who was quite old, and who
had been teaching in that neighbor-
hood over forty years. His name
was james Rossum. He was pecu-
: liar in his habits. On Monday
morning, neatly dressed and cleanly
shsven, be went to bis duties in the
old school house where two-thirds Of
: his time had been spent, and assidu-
ously devoted himself to the duties OF
bis vocation until Friday evening.
On the morning of Saturday be array
ed himself in his best, and devoted
the day in visiting the ladies in the
neighborhood. He was q welcome
guest at every house. This habit
: lad continued 50 long that be hsd
acquired the sobFiquet of "Rossum,
: the beau" The others name was
Cox. who was q FoliekiBg, good feL
low. and the best vocalist l ever
knew. He was il song what Prem
tiss was in orstory, and they were
boon companions-both died young.
Cox was frequently at my ohee,
and upon one occasion when be was
there Rossum walked by the door,
and his age was appsrentin bis walk.
Cox looked at him, and, after . panse,
: turned to me and remarked IN qsite
! a feeling tone, (which. be could assume
at pleasure. and bis eloquenee was
r indescribable Poor old Rossum J
some of these sunny mornings be will
be found dead, when be shall have
noble funeral, and all the ladies will
honor it by being present, know"
Soon after be left the Office, and
: being in the humor, seized the
ideas and wrote the following dog
: gerel lines. Soon after Cox returned,
, and | handed them to him. He got
Nd. walked, and hummed different
airs, until be fell upon the old Metho-
! dist hymn tune, in which they have
ever since been sung.
|, | have always considered Cox more
entitled to the authorship Of the song
]. than myself
Hundreds of lines have been writ
ten TO the air by as many persons,
? and almost as many have claimed
: the authorship Of the lines; but this
: is Of no moment. l claim no merit
for nv lines, but everything for Coxs
singing them. have seen him dra"
tears from the eyes Of old and young
with the feeling be threw into the
song:
Nov. soon on some son. sunny morning
> The frst thing my neighbors shan knoa'
a TIE sa-s mali be met Win the waning
Come bury old Rossum, the oeA1-
I NJ friends then % neatly shah dress ne
= linen AZ white ss the snow
!. - - nv new conn shall press ne,
? And Whisper: Poor Rossums ne oesa-
And vhsu I'm to Be buried, ] reckon
I The ladies viii all Ike % gos
= T.sf them form at the foot of ny oo1nl
i H. rIA Rraanr u.