Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-09-08
JOHN GREESLEAF WHITTIER.

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.
oSE by one drop OIL, the famed
American sons Of song. Hawthorn
and Bryant, Emerson and Longfellow,
Lowell and Whitman are gone, and
the latest to follow in the wake OF the
illusttlous departed IL John Gfoenlenf
Whittier, nj the ripe old age Of 50.
Peacefully no passed away nj $3.50
O'Clock yesterday morning ut the home
Of Df. Garland In Hampton Falls, n.
H., place about six miles from Amcs'
bury.
Mr.. whittier WINS born In 1907 at the
little hamlet OF Haverhill In Masaa-
chuset,s. lie came Of an honest
Quaker family. During the years OF
his boyhood he worked ON his fathers
fafm. He was frhil and delicate, 10
much 30 that a good Quaker doctor
said 10 him one day, "Gfeenleaf,
thee must take care OF thy
health" And his companions
ana hinsfolk predicted confidently
that he would never patH the forties'
But he sgreeabIy disappointed them
and entered well into the eighties. At
an early age he manifested n disposi-
ton 10 write verses. While hocing In
tho fields he strung together a little
poem, and afterwards placed II ON n
vagrsnt scrap Of paper. His sister
found It, took 1t to Mfr. Garrison's
paper, and 1t was published. That
gentleman soou discovered the author,
and that the little poe m had some
merit In It, and encouraged him to
study.
Whittier while boy learned the
trade Of shoemshing, and by this
earned money sufficient TO maintain
him for six months at Haverhiil AGA
DENY. He thon taught school for n
season or two. He was m Industrious
student and writer, but his labors
brought him no rich rewards for long
time. He was closely identified y It'll
the abolition movement OF the ante
bellum period, both rs writer and
an editor. But II appears that
he did not wholly endorse tho war at
fret, and at its close was In favor OF
making the most liberal terms possible
with the South.
Among his best known fugitive
pieces Is "Floyd Irrson." He wrote
quite number OF poems of local
interest In New England, anu II was
from these In connection with the
simplicity, honesty, integrity and
innocence OF his life that he gained
his popularity. OF course his earlier
efforts were sneered at by q great
many, and while some heavy critics
pronounced them doggerel, other
equally prominent sustained them N
gems Of Innate genius.
The work which frat brought him
fair remuneration was his "Snow
bound" For this the publishers paiC
him 25 cents royalty on every copy
sold. From II several thousand dollar
were realized. Worth In our day 4
measured mainly by money, and wher
Il became known that Whittier mad,
small fortune by his verses he be
came the fashion. After this lie re-
ceived high prices for his poems, anC
often refused to accept the sums ofiereC
on the ground that his efforts were no
worth the money. lie received sl00t
for one poem OF ninety-six lines from
the New York Ledger. This lie entities
"Tho Captains Well" 1t was thu
last OF any length which he wrote, ant
has q local Interest. 1t Is founded OF
u historic faot OF a rather romantlcallN
tragic character.
Mr.. Whittier can hardly be chased
as great poet. But his simple bal
lads and graceful lyrics viii hold I
place for long time In the literatur,
OF the American people. In this age o
withdrawing anu profit seeking hi
simple life affords an instructive an,
edifying Lesson for those who woul,
place materiallsm before spiritualit,
and intellect.