The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-03-09
" Home, Swe ( Home"

LUustrcted Correspondence NelG North West
The body of John Howard Payne is on its
way to this country from the cemetery of
Tunis. Mr.. W.. w. Corcorab, who made
the poets acquaintance in 1910, and saw him
first in 1909, will bear the total expense of
the removal and reinterment. The body of
the author of "Home, Sweet Home" will be
placed in Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown
Heights, near Washington, on June 9th next.
A simple monument will be erected over the
remains, bearing the inscription "John
Howard Payne, author of 'Home, Sweet
Home Born Juue 8, 1902. Died AAril 10,
1852"
John Howard Payne was not bern in Bos-
ton, as is stated on the monument at Tunis,
but in New York City. His father removed
to the capital of Massachusetts, when his son
was very young. and opened boarding.
school in that city. The future poet was a
clever, ambitious boy. While still at school
he published weekly newspaper, The Fig,
which is said 70 have given promise Of great
literary ability. He was good elocutionist,
and loved things theatrical. One of bis
sports was as commander of a military com.
pany known as the Boston Federal Guards.
When thirteen years of age he was placed In
a counting house in New York, situation
most distasteful TO him, the tediou'ness of
which he relieved by acting as The editor Of
The Thespidn Mirror. The excellence ofths
dramatic criticism contained in this journal
made him some influential acquaintance,
among them Mr.. Seaman, who sent him to
Schenectady College to be educated. While
there he edited PdStime, a weekly magazine,
the first number Of which appeared IN 1907.
In 1908 he returned TO Boston 10 prepare
for the stage and continued literary labor
there as editor of the Mirror. His first ap.
pearance on the stage was made at New
York in February, 1900, and was a success.
1t was followed by engagements In New
England, the South and West. In 1918 he
went to England, and on June 4th, of that
year appeared in Drury Lane Theatre, Lon
don. He continued an actor several years,
after which he devoted himself TO literature.
His edtorship, in London, of theatrical
journal called The Oprrd Glass, did not last
long. BY the year 1926 he had composed
several dramas of merit, including "Brutus,"
his masterpiece, and "Clari, the Maid of MI.
LAM" which contained "Home, Sweet Home
This drama was included in manuscripts
sold in the year 1925, to Charles Kemble of
Concert Garden Theatre, London, for thirty
pounds. Miss Tree, q sister of Ellen Tree,
sang the song upon Its first production. 1t
was popular Immediately. A hundr ed thOus
and copies were sold in one year, but no; one
cent was paid to the author by the fortunate
publishers. 1t has been distributed by mil.
liens of copies since then, and the greatest
singers have delighted myriads of hearers
with its simple and touching music and SEN
timent. Mr.. Payne's literary work while In
Europe was carried on sometimes in London
and sometimes in Paris. 1t was precarious
as to its financial results, and the gifted au-
thor is said to have endured cruel hardshps
by reason of poverty. Some relief to his un-
fortunate condition was found in his &C.
quaintancs, while at Paris, with Washington
Irving. He returned to America In 1881, and
made his home In New York with q younger
brother. His literary schemes provad I'M
profitable. For some time Payne acted as
the agent Of the Cherokee chief, John Ross,
both in the country of his tribe and in Wash
ington. His chivalrous kindness to the In
dams led TO his arrest by party of the State
militia Of Georgia, and temporary imprison-
ment. President Tyler, appointed him con-
sui at Tunis, in 1S41. He was recalled dur
ing the administration Of Polk. President
Fillmore reappointed him, and he held the
position of consul to Tunis at the time of bis
death.