The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-02-05
A Forgotten Poet.

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A Forgotten Poet.
Otway Curry, poet, journalist and
literary man OF considerable note
throughout the West over forty years
ago. was native OF Highland county.
Daniel Scott in his history says of him !:
"His poems possess the true ring OF
genuine mettle and are true to nature,
expressing warmth Of heart, pathos
and an elegance equaled only by the
true poet. Much he has written will
survive. Many sweet fugitive POEMS
which years ago stirred the hearts of the
readers of western literature owe their
paternity TO him."
He was born in Greenfield, March 20,
1904, and the spot of his birth is still
marked by deserted spring in the field
between Front street and Paint Creek,
below South street. From this pierian
fount the poet drank. About it still
there bloom every summer the weeds
and degenerated flowers whose distant
ancestors amused his childhood and per.
chance first reused by their bright tints
and delicate wild fragrance the instinct
OF the poet in bis soul. These plants
seem never to desert spot that has
once been the seat Of human habita-
ton. The dwelling may be destroyed
by the elements and nature may flow
back and cover the reclaimed space, but
she can never quite obliterate all traces
that that spot has once been home.
Perhaps those mute sentinels that keep
guard from year to year over the poets
birth place, retain some dim inherited
memory Of his childish pratte and the
almost silence of the,solemn wilderness.
Perhaps the spring itself, if it could be
restored to the crystal purity with which
it burst from the then untainted earth,
would yield a draught Of the poets in
spiration.
On the last page OF some of the editions
of AcG4fsy's Sirth Reader will lbe found
poem by ,Otway Curry. which is Of
ASSoA enVusn W nAoAo Aiae s1suAO ~ aAAoa & ~
There Is in it something Of the ''pathos
and elegance" which struck the almost
poetic soul OF Daniel Scott. There is q
granduer and yet a tenderness that is
like Bryant's "Ode to Waterfowl" and
if it had more familiar theme and Q
greater simplicity OF movement it might
ba clooood xr,;tb that r,aor1oco ,ov,, of ~ a
oe .ciasSeo VIII 'na' peefiees sein VI 'no
English language.
THE LOST PLEAD.
The Plelades are group OF seven
small stars, situated in the neck Of the
consteuation Iaurus, ana regarded Dy
some astronomers as the central point
round which our universe OF stars is re.
volving.
according 10 iaole OF the ancients, the
fleiadcs were the seven daughters OF
Atlas, and were turned into stars, on ac-
count of their amiable virtues and NUT
uai ahectlon. Only Six OF the group are
visible 10 the naked eye. Ihe ancients
supposed the seventh concealed herself,
out of shame for having bestowed her
love upon mortal, while her sisters
were the tav0riteS OF divine persOnages.
In tl0 following DeauClful poem, the
lost Pleiad ia represented as having
gradually disappeared from the heavens
to wander away, on its mighty circuit
through "the deep deserts ofthe ancient
night and far.off ,iniyerse." but vet. in
the coming ages, again to return, after
having completed its sublime revolution.
49,,
mihons OF ages gone.
Amidst the assemblies Of the starry race.
Still shining on-and on.
Ano even IN eStsny ume,
anu % The old % Ohsldesn de- % Cline. 1 'n'
s.n...,a ,,... ..,.,a
To rise and walk the waveiess armament,
OF eloquence and song.
But thy far.howing light,
srsn1sIy s 'd aSs d%iv fsdsS suIas u tSs si isss
Into nsmelsss night.
SIo,, Az a~,s... ....-.