The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-27
THE POET OF THE SOUTH.
Something About Frank L. Stanton, the
Southern Writer of Popular Verse, Who
Is Genuine Genius.

Southern Writer of Popular Verse, Who
Is Genuine Genius.
Having lost his father at very early
age says the Philadelphia Times, Frank
stanton spent the three years of his
life, from to II years, saving wood
Tor living. From then on for a num-
Der OF years he worked in the fields un-
der the hot Southern sun, gaining his
knowledge Of books from his voracious
application to them after the sun had
gone down on his field of daily labor.
1t Is to this period of his life that the
poet has recourse for the materials of
his Songs of the Soil," but it Is to the
mollowing, ideallzing Intervention of
years that the inspiration Is due. As
he himself says, a man who is in daily
contact with plow doesn't wax poet
ical on the subject
When about years old the poet was,
for a little while, office imp" on the
Savannah Morning News and while
there 1t was part Of his duty to sweep
the office of slim young news reporter
by the name of Joel Chandler Harris.
Uncle Remus" had not then been born
into the world of stories, and Mr.. Har@
ris was employing his spare moments
in writing verses. From the News office
their paths led apart, and each passed
out of the others memory till very re-
cent years brought them together again.
From farm labor Mr.. Stanton went
into the newspaper office, drifting about
through South Carolina and Georgia as
a typesetter and printer, all the time
| scattering his verses like flowers along
| the way. A good Providence kept the
| youth in the fields till his heart was
bound to nature, and from thence led
| him into circumstances where he might
pour out on the hearts of men the sun
shine that had been garnered in his
own.
From printer and contributor he be-
| came an editor. While at the head of a
little paper called the Smithville News,
he received a letter from Joel Chandler
Harris asking for poetical contributions
to the Constitution. Little did Mr.. Har-
ris suspect that the verses, which were
charming people far and near, were
from the pen Of the little black-eyed
chap who had played the "devir' in his
Office in Savannah. .e
In a short time came the offer of n
reportorial position on the Constitution
from Henry w. Grady. This Mr.. Stan
ton declined, and it was not until the
death of Mr.. Grady that he accepted,
through the influence of Mr. Harris, an
editorial position on that paper. From
then on his popularity has been on the
increase, till he is known and read in
two hemispheres. Though our poet is
by no means without honor in his own
country, 1t Is from distant places that
the most flattering testimonials come.
In Paris his genius has been recog-
ni2ed and complimented, while in En-
land he has made place for himself In
the hearts of the people. Jerome's mag
a2ine copies his verses regularly, and
he often receives personal letters from
English readers who have heard the
echo of his songs across the seas. In q
recent meeting of London authors Mr.
Stanton's little ballad, "Clai Sc" was
read Those who know the gem can
appreciate the reception 1t received
When, in reply to question, the name
of the author was given, one of the
number exciaime enthusiastically
well, he has beaten Dobson on his owr
groundsw
During the Columbian fair Mr.. Stan
ton was once the honored guest at the
Forty Club In Chicago, and received
quite an ovation from its members. ST
far Mr.. Stanton E-s been known chletl!
through current lite. 'ure, as only {
small collection of his poems has ye
appeared. Though this work passed
through several editions and won
success unhoped for by its modest au
thor, he has allowed three years to pas
without coming before the public again
, except through periodicals. That HI
Is emlnently a, song writer is attestet
by the fact that as many as seventy o
! his poems have been set to music IL
England and America within the pas