The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-03-28

The body of John Howard Pavne has
recently arrived in this country from the
cemetery of Tunis MIR. w. w. Corcoran
who Eiade the poets acquaintance in
1910, and saw ham first in 1909, will bear
the total expenses of the nemoval and
reinterment. The body of the author
.of Home, Sweet Home will be placed
in Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown
Heights, near Washington, on June
next. A simple monument will be cree.
ted over the remains, bearing the in.
scription. John Howard Payne. au.
thor of Home, Sweet Home. Born
June 9, 1892. Died April 10, 1852"
John Howard Payne was not born in
Boston, as is stated on the monument at
Tunis, but in New York City. His fa,
ther removed to the capital of Massss-
chusetts when his son was very young,
and opened boarding school in that
city. Tie future poet was a clever, ann
bitions boy, While still at school he
published weekly newspaper, The Fly.
which is said to have given promise Of
great literary ability. He was a good
elocutionist, and loved things theatrical.
One ut his sports was as commander
Of lailitary company known as the
Boston Federal Guards. When thirteen
yearsof are he was placed in counting
house in New York, a situation most dis
tasteful to him, the tediousness of which
he relieved by acting as the editor of
The Thespian Mirror. The excellence
of the dramatic criticism contained in
this Journal made him some influential
acquaintance, among them Mr.. Sea-
man. Mho sent him To Schenectady Col
lego TO be educated. While there he
edited Pastilme, 4 weekly magazine, the
first number OF which appeared in 1907.
In 1903 he returned to Boston to prepare
for the stage and continued literary la
bor there as editor Of the Mirror. His
first appearance on the stage was made
at New York, in February, 1909, and
was a success. It was followed by en-
gagements in New England, the South
and West. In 1913 he went to England,
and ON June of that year, appeared in
Drury Lane Theatre, London. He con
tlnued an actor several years, after which
he devoted himself to literature. His
cdltorship, in London, of theatrical
journal called The Opera Glass, did not
last long. BY the year 1925 he had com
posed several dramas Of merit, including
" "Brutus,' his masterpiece, and "Clari,
the Maid of Milan" which contained
" Home, Sweet Home" This drama was
included in manuscripts sold in the year
1925, to Charles Kemble Of Concert Car
den Theatre, London, for thirty pounds.
Miss Tree, sister Of Ellen Tree, sang
the song upon it's first production. 1t
was popular Immediately a hundred
thousand copies were sold in one year,
but not one cent was paid to the author
by the fortunate publishers. 1t has
been distributed by millions of copies
since then, and the greatest singers have
delighted myriads Of hearers with its
simple and touching music and senti-
ment. 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 author is said to have
endured cruel hardships by reason of
poverty. Some relief to his unfortunate
condition was found in his acquaintance
while at Paris, with Washington Irving.
He returned to America in 1881, and
made his home in New York with a
younger brother. His literary schemes
proved Improbable. For some time
Payne acted as the agent of the Chero-
kee chief, John Ross, both in the country
of his tribe and in Washington. This
chivalrous kindness to the Indians led
to his arrest by party of the State
militia of Georgia, and temporary inn
prisonment.. President Tyler appointed
him consul at Tunis, in l84l. He wa S
recalled during the administration Of
Polk. President Fillmore reappointe d
him, and he held the position of con sui
to Tunis at the time Of his death.