New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-25
OBITUARY..
IRWIN RUSSELL.
furnished bail

| The death of Irwin Russell, tine young poet
and dialect writer, is announced from New-orleans
where said TO have died in destitute circumstances
| among strangers
He was born in the South about 1888. ana was ed
| ucated at "a Roman Catholic school in ST. Louis HIS
father was the late Dr. RUSSELL brother Of Addison T.
Russell Of Zanesvillo OHIO. the author OF Literary
Notes" lie tall and slender. with smooth face ana
though not handsome possessed winning expression
His constitution delicate and his somewhat reg-
life prepared the way for frequent attacks oil sex
ness Always fond OF writing. his first poem
in ScriJner's Monthly appeared in January, 1876
aud since that time he has been constant
contributor. He wrote dialect AID sentimental pieces
chiefly though In the last few months OF his lie he COM
posed number of serious nature. lie possessed
fine vein Of sentiment and was careful and co"scien-
tious worker His limitations OF the negro dialect were
true to ,de He had good knowledge OF early En@lisa
and Ballad literature, very fond of Burns whom he
is said in many respects have resembed His cont RI
buttons to ScriJnrs Monthly published and Illus
trated in the Brc-aBrac department Among the best
OF them wcre HALFWAY D0lns," "Nebuchadnezzar.'
"Precepts at Partn," "Norvern People," "ofe Oh
Hoster's Experience" Manrs John, ana Chfisthlas
Night at the Quarters"
In the Fall of $50 Russell came 70 New-YorS from
Port Gibson Mss whcrc lie had acted nurse Tie pre-
vous Summer through the yellow fever epdetuic with
the enton OF prosecuting his literary work He was
stranger the city, and, weakened by his Summers
work. was unable do his best He continued 20 con-
tribute to Scr,bnes and did some work for Puck zen
orally writing his name, but occasionally over
other Names Job Case being favorite one. While
here he wrote depression Of mind prOduc
ing at this time short serious poem called Hope"
which appeared IN ScriJRer's for June, and pub
ilshed IN THE TRIBUNE. Last Summer he went TO New
Orleans and there did occasional work The AetcO-
leans Times.
Russes pieces proved popular. and were widely
copied His Cnnsmas Night at the Quarters" Is
thought to be the and characteristic thing he
ever wrote II is Christmas medley. containing sew
eral songs Old Fiddling Joscy" playing the fiddle
and calling of the dances Of the best and is
gwen below:
Git yo' pardners, fust kwattilionl
stomp yo' feet an raise 'em high;
Tune is: "Ch ! dat waer-millon!
Gwlnc To l1t home bimc-Dye."
s'lute yO' iardners !-scrape p rltely-
Don't be bnmpiu' gln de res
Balance all -nCw step ont rightly
AiIuZ dance yo' lebDel bcs'.
Fo'wa'd a!-whOOp up niggersi
Back ag'in, don't he slow
SWING coruahsi min de tiggers.
WGen hOIlers, den y0' so.
Top ladies ODER.
Hold on, TIL | takes DRAM
Gemmen solo! yes, rs sober
KANT Say how de tddle am
Hands arOuGd .-hop mp yo' faces,
Don't be ookiu' at yo feetl
Swing yO' partners TO yn placesi
OATS de way-tiat's hard to beat.
Sides io'w'd-when you's ready
Make 4 bow as lows you kim.
SWING acrost wild opposite lady!
Ladies' change-snut up dat talkn';
DO yo' taikin arter while
Rlght an LEI !dOn't want no walkin'-
Make yo' steps, and show yO' style
Some OF Russelps later pieces serious scrbncr
4 Co have now on hand several which have been ac-
ccpted, but not yet published as well as several in
dialect Among his later pieces Studies in STYLE
which were limitations OF Burns and Others. His life
was short and sad one, and Its end lonely and pa
thetc.