The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-09-15
HIS SONG HUSTLED.
Death Of John 0reenleaf Whittier
the Quaker Poet.
The venerable Author Of Many Sweot
Verses Had Reached the Ago Of !
ga Sketch Of His Career -
Pest and Writer.

HAMPTON FALLs, N. H., Sept g.
John G. Whittier, the Quaker poet, died
a $50 u m. Wednesday. The end was
like his life, peaceful, and he passed
away like one falling asleep. His
nearest relatives and DR.. Douglass
were at his bedside when death came
and he seemed to be conscious
of his surroundings at the last moment.
The funeral will take place 1T Ames-
bury, Mass. at 2:30 p. m. Saturday
next According to the Quaker custom,
the obsequies will be simple and NO
sermon will be preached.
John Greenleaf Whittier was born in Haver-
hill, Mass, December II, 1876. His parents
were members of the Society Of Friends, and
in this faith the children were reared Through
out his long life Whittier has always been tr1e
to the teachings Of his boyhood days and the
speech and garb Of this sect
were well known characteristics. The
father had been q farmer in moder-
ate circumstances, and the early years of the
young poet we're passed upon the farm. A
twelve weeks course at the district school
each winter was the only training he received
until he was 70 years of age, when
with money earned at shoemaking
he took six months course
At Haverhi,l academy. according to
the standard Of his DAY he was suff GENTLY
learned to be himself teacher, and during the
following winter, that Of 1899 he was master
Of the district school OF " est Amesbury With
the money received for his services young
Whittier followed up with second term of six
months in the Haverhiu academy, this ending
ais course at school
His literary instincts we're developed early, if
not Unborn. While working on his father
farm, accustomed to the drudgery that falls to
the lot Of a New England farmer boy, he con-
tributed Anonymous verses 10 the 'fPoet's
Corner Of W. L. Garrison's Free Press,
then published in Newburyport One of his
earliest poems 'The Exile's Departure his sis
ter sent without his knowledge to the New bury
port Free Press, signing it WITH his initial,
| wv, Haverhill. June l. 1896 The publication
of this poem led to the acquaintance and friend
ship Of William LLOYD Garrison, then the edit
or Of the paper friendship which lasted and
increased until death ended it.
During all his years Whittier has never been
| idle. He has been the author OF many books
besides his poetic contributions to American
| literature. His first real literary production
| TO be published in book form was 1.-The
Legends of New England" in prose and
verse. published in 1881. From that date
| down to the compilation of his products
and those Of his sister, which fill seven
| large volumes, issued in 1889, his works h.ve
| followed at intervals Of from one to five years
st Gregory's Guest and Other Poems was
| the last work Of any magnitude aside from the
supervision CT his complete works His latest
literary production was poem in the Atlantic
| to Or. Holmes. and the last verse he wrote was
or tie occasion Of DR.. Holmes recent birthday
/ -esijite his advanced years-he was two
! years older than Te,.nyson and twelve years
/ the senior of Walt Nhitman-he was until re,
| Gently sturdy auQ active, and the most charm
| ing personality in the world Of letters His
mental powers were keen and acute to the last
| he gave but little time CT late to literary IF
| fort, his eye being diumed and lis hand IN
steady.
| 1t is unnecessary to quote from works so ia
/ miliar to almost every reader, out Sufficient to
mention sucn ie-Eends as Skipper Iveson' S
E4de, TIE T;i.-n's daughter. Mary Gar
VIM Memories" The Playmate and Maud
Muller
Mr.. Whittier vas rot a rich man nor was he
poor About ntty or sixty thousand copies o.
his works are sold every yer and on the rev
enues thus derived he was anIe 10 pass his de-
! Ginning years il else and comfort
Mr.. VI littcr never married Between h !,
sister l..z..etL AID himself there existed thc
rarest and most delicate love and friendship
which. doubtless, had no little to do with the
! poets inspirations. His home was broken uI
| 1T her death and his heart suffered in the same
misfortune its greatest shock. His niece came
! to him at the death of his sister and always
strove to make that great loss as little felt as
| possible.