Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-04-02
Life and Literary Productions.


Walter. or Walt Whitman, was born at
West Hills, Long Island, N. Y, May 81
1919. His father whose name he bore was
a farmer; and the boy, the eldest of the
family, was brought up with slight knowi-
edge OF even the few refinements obtainable
in the country sixty years ago
He was strong and sturdy. a good
rider and swimmer, fond OF outdoor exer-
else. and impatient OF all the amenities of
life. What book education he had he re-
ceived in the public schoolsof New York and
Brooklyn. 1t was not much, for when only
sixteen he was back in the country, teach
ing others and learning from them rather
than from books
After a year or so of teaching be became
q carpenter for a time; then he learned
printing, working at the case in New York
City and Brooklyn, and editing papers in
New Orleans and in Huntington, Long
Island. In lS47-S, VITA his brother jefferson
Whitman, he went on long pedestrian tour
of the country, working his way
along by doing carpenters jobs, tramp
ing if, one might almost say. For two years
the brothers wandered about, down the Ohio
aud Mississippi Rivers, in Louisiana and
Texas during the Mexican War, along the
lakes, into Canada, and down the Hudson
back to Long Island, where Walt Whitman
betook himself once more to the printers
case.
Up to 1855 he had been known, so far as
he was known. simply as carpenter printer
of no especial steadlness In 1855, however,
appeared his first and most famous book
''Geaves of Grass" volume of rhapsodical
poems, always without rhyme, generally
without rhythm, dealing especially with the
interests involved in America life
and progress of the time.
The first edition of this book Whitman set
no and printed himself, and for thirty years
he has been revising and adding to tine book.
At the beginning OF the war Whitman
was living in New York City; but his
brother George was wounded at Freiericks-
burg in 1862 and the poet went TO the front
to nurse him. He remained with the army
until the close of the war, afterward giving
his experiences in two volumes, Drum
Taps" 1850. and Memoranda During the
War 1850. His most conventional poem
is in "Drum Taps Captain, My Cap
tain in memory of Lincoln.
In 1864 he had been compelled to give up
for time his work as nurse, because OF a
fever caught in the hospital camps among
the sick. From the effects OF this fever
Whitman never recovered fully, though he
returned to his nursing as soon as he was able
TO be about.
At the c.ose of the war he obtained a clerk
ship in the Interior Department, from which
he was dismissed when his superior officer
learned that he was the author of
"Teaves OF Grass" He obtained q clerk
shin in the Attorney Generals Office how
ever, which he kept until 1874. In February,
1873. he had a stroke OF paralysis, resulting
from his fever of 1854 and the exposures of
his army life, and went to Camden, n. j.
He was recovering rapidly when IN May his
mother died suddenly in his presence. The
shock caused a relapse, and he was III
capacitated for any work for many months.
On his recovery he resigned his clerkship
and settled in Camden, where he resided
the rest of his life.
Before this, wolfe in Washington, he pub
Gsbed Passage TO India (l670, After
All, Not to Create Only" uSTn, LAS a
Strong Bird on Pinions Free" Cs72,, aud a
volume Of prose essays. Democratic Vistas'
Qs70. republisbed in 1878 and 1883. In 1881
a new edition of Leaves of Grass was
published in Boston, to the sale Of which the
Massachusetts authorities objected, on the
ground Of immortality. In 1888 Whitman
published Specimen Days and Collect" IN
1855 November Boughs," and in 1885
'.Sands at Seventy"
In the latter year he had another stroke OF
paralysis 1t crippled him almost entirely,
and on his SEVENTEEN birthday his friends
gave to bun a pony carriage and pony, and
the good gray poet drove himself about
Camden, enjoying the outdoor life he bad
always love His infirmity was physical.
not mental, however, and within n few
months he has published a farewell volume of
poems, "5ood- By NV Fancy"
OF late years the bitter attacks on Whit
man have erased, and he has been admitted
TO be indeed poet
Whitman was dependent entirely on the
sale Of his books, AMI while never rich, of
late years has been absolutely poor. He
steadily refused to accept charity, however
Whitman was described by the admirer
who gave him the title by which he is most
widely known, that Of 'the good gray
poet" as tall and stalwart. his
face rosy, and "seamel with kindly
wrinkles; with heavy-Gdded, firm blue
eyes, aud with n short thick beard, and thin
ly flowing HAIR. OF late years his hair and
beard have been almost snowy white.
He never was married. 1t was said that
a disappointment in early life was the cause.