Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1889-08-31
HOME, SWEET HOME.


The True story ef ths Immortal Song
Told for the First Tims.
Some things there are which by q
common instinct mankind holds sacred.
Among these are the scenes of heroic
deeds. the precincts of patriot graves
aud the birthplace Of sublime thought,
In proof OF which need only be men
toned such names as Lexington. Mount
Vernon and Independence Hall. And
within the District of Columbia there
is spot which the American people.
II familiar with its associations. would
not deem unworthy of mention In con-
nection with those named.
Half a century ago George w. Tai
burtl then a young man and unmar-
ried. was the owner by inheritance 1
OF n plantation of two hundred and
thirty-one acres lying just across
the east branch OF the Potomac from
Washington. his foe simple domain
touching the river nt point OPP
posite the navy-yard. Here helived
In elegant leisure, having about a hum
dred slaves. aud. to digress for mo-
ment, the visitor may still see near hls
home row OF graves. from which are
pointed cut the particular resting
| places OF some more distinguished than
their companions for humble virtues.
One Is remembered as the ''colored
NANNY" OF person since raised 10
eminence. while another Is revered for
an intimacy with several family gener.
ations. This young man. possessed
OF ease and affiuence. was "a boon COM
panion of John Howard Payne. whose
dust has since become so sacred. The
old home still stands. as II then stood.
in an Eden bower on the bank of the
river, and here. under venerable chest
nut tree. sitting on a rustic seat that en-
circled It's trunk. Payne and Talburil
used TO drink their mint julep. sing
their merry songs. and talk OF the
lives they were to lead. Talburtt had
promised Payne that whenever he
wanted home II should be built on
the plantation. and they would spend
their bachelor lives together. Much
OF the old plantation Is now within the
modern suburban village OF ADacosta,
and on an elevation thai commands d
view OF the National Capitol and its
surroundings which quite ravishes the
eye with Its beauty. stands the house
now owned and occupied by Mr.. II. A
Griswold, built In fulfillment of this
promise. The sight was selected b,
Payne himself before departing on
his foreign mission. but he never
returned 10 enjoy the home OF which
he sang; and thus absolyed from hi.
vow OF celibacy Mr. Talburtt after
, ward married and himself occupies
the new house. In which children wer,
born TO him, one Of whom. still res
: ident OF the village. is the mother o
j. Harry Shannon. widely known a
the Juvenile orator. But the chic
point Of interest Is yet 10 be- told. for
Notwithstanding the claim that Home
. Sweet Home was written In Tunis o.
In a London garret. the original man
? uscrip.. In the handwriting of tn
n illustrious author himself. and bearin,
: his own interlineation. is still In tn
1 possession OF the family-Mr. Talburt
r having died In le65-and 1t was o
\ the rustic seat under the chestnu
. tree. on the bank OF the eas
branch OF the Potomac, so nea
the mouth as to be practically on th
main river. and little more than
mile east OF south from the Capits
. building. that John Howard Payn,
- with bis own inspired genius and a
Il aide-de-camp OF mint julep. drafte
this immortal composition. The rust
seat. held as n precious heirloom.
preserved In the attic OF the old homl
a and the chestnut tree. now part
/. dead. with Its top cut away and muc
{ OF It's bark clipped of as memento
!. still marks the birthplace of this sonl
: that will live while the English tongr
Is is spoken or matched roof covers Il
head Of n humble inhabitant of n
earth. Washington Star.