The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-12
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP POET
A NEW BOOK FROM JAMES Il. Ell
MORE, THE BARD OF ALAMO.
Montgomery County, Always Prolific
in Literary Genius. Ii Again Heard
From-Choiee Gems OF Poetry.

the poet and author. Mr.. Elmore is by long
odds the most fluent verse writer in the
county in which he has resided for more
than forty years. and even the literati of
Charlottesville take of their hats TO Rip
ley's poet. From the press of the Sentinel
Printing Company, Of this city, is about to
BE- issued new novel by Mr.. Elmore. Ii is
entitled Love Among the Mistletoe-" IN
addition to being a writer. Mr.. Elmore is
successful farmer and he sells his literary
work he does his potatoes-always gives
good measure. With this idea in view his
new volume. in addition to the novel. will
contain a large number Of his choicest
poems.
Mr.. Eimore proposes to sell his new work
at 81 a copy. and Indianapolis people may
have an opportunity of purchasing 1t fresh
from the hand of the author, as he stated
a few days ago TO a friend that he expected
to do some -peddling around the Hoosier
capital" Mr.. Eimore believes he can have
better success disposing of his own books
than to trust them TO agents. The author
Of Love Among the Mstletoe" does not
need to depend on his pen for his bread, for
he owns the best farm in Ripley township.
His nearest postoffice Is the village Of
Alamo. and in order make himself solid
with the citizens Of that picturesque little
hamlet Mr.. Elmore has written a poem
called Bessie, the Belle Of Alamo which
will appear In the forthcoming book. The
poem is rare piece of work and speaks for
itself. Here Is a verse or two:
she never hirts with transient people,
Neither hangs on the gates for show,
But allures by charms SO graceful,
Bessie. the Belle OF Alamo.
you know her by her beauty.
Silver tresses hanging low,
Plump In form and mincely stepping.
This lady, the Belle OF Alamo.
As one reads these lines on can almost
see the dumpling-like shape and silver
tresses Of this Ripley township young wom-
hangs on the gate and chews gum. James
IL. Eimore IS a ready writer. AS he has
himself said. |, Is no trouble for him TO
write poetry. Neither Is II an effort for him
to grind out readable prose.
THE POETS VERSATILITY.
And. unlike many writers. Il Is not neces-
sary for Jim Gilmore, as his friends know
him. to see thing TO write about II. AS an
instance OF his versatility in this line. the
scenes OF Love Among the Mistletoe'' are
laid in Tennessee. Mr.. Eimore frankly ad-
mits that he has seen very little Of the coun-
try OF which he so graphically and thrilling
ly writes. This is where he excels many of
those who profess TO write. But to return
20 Mr.. EImore's poetic side. It Is said of
pillow or chops the sturdy oak a ne ghbor
has said that the poetic flow OF y I'M S"
thoughts have not even been disturbed when
MS plow would strike root. Any man
who has followed the plow closely knows
that this sort of an accident Is mighty dis
turbing. One OF Mr.. Elmores latest poems,
which will appear in his new book is called
1.-THE Hero Of Manila" The first verse runs:
"Of all the men that sailed DER the seas,
And are standing for Old Glory,
There's none so brave and at their ease
As George Dewey. old and hoary.
He has proved the pillows and the waves,
Which ran most mountain high:
His name Is laureled with the braves,
His fame-twill never die
Hoist all the flags and fire the guns.
Our hero Is not alone;
Ring out Wild bells. your echoes tell
George Dewey Is coming home"
The above reference to Admiral Dewey as
being 'old and hoary" was indiscreet. The
admirals new wife wouldn't do thing to
James =. Elmore IL she caught him. II Is
claimed for Mr.. Elmore that he is as full of
sentiment as saplng Is full of juice. While
this may not be an apt simile. il is true.
mis- friends say. Some charming sentiment
Is brought out IN these lines from MY
Mary of Missouri
MY Mary of Missouri
Was quick and blithe and shy,
A goddess of simplicity
With dark and hazel eye.
She was modest could be,
And playful as q kitten;
Iwatehed the expression Of her face
TO see she meant no mitten-
'T asked a future meeting,
as. S6e bowed with graceful bliss,
stole pleasant kiss.
vowed that / would have her.
If ever such could be,
That she should be my darling
And I her rance"
AUDACIOUS YOUNG MEN
Mr.. Elmore's lovers are always audacious
young men who make hay while the sun
shines The one who courted Mary of
Missouri Is a fair sample OF the kind he
writes about. Caustic critics have said of
Mr.. Gilmore that he takes too much poetic
license. as observed In the following from
the poem. Charlottesville. alias Athene:"
''The annals of time will tell our fate,
And OF our people growing great
In our city with such vehemy;
Our fame Is laureled in every cline
OF our people of great Athene."
This poem was published some time ago
and pert Chicago writer took Mr.. Elmore
up on the word 'vehemy:" The poet re-
OF poetic license" In his new book how
ever, footnote explains to the uneducated
that .vehemy" Is coined from ''vehemence -
Mr.. Elmore writes thus graphically of a
shoe cobbler:
HE sits amidst old rancid shoes
A splendid scent and SAVIOR;
TWould give an epicure the blues
To smell this foot-made flavor"
Now and then Mr.. Elmore favors the
Charlottesville editors with a contribution
from his pen year or two ago one of the
editors OF the Charlottesville Journal a
bright young man, thought to have some
sport with the poet of Ripley township SO
he wrote some verses which he called Jim
Elmore's Best" Mr.. Elmore replied with
considerable spirit The incident is de-
scribed in the new volume. One OF the
verses attributed to Mr. Gilmore was like
this:
"Sassafras oh sassafra.
Thou art the stuff for me,
And In the spring | love TO sing,
Sweetest saSsafras. of thee"
Mr. Elmore replied to this with the fol.
lowing note To the editor: There was q
piece OF stale poetry In your most excellent
paper or last week on saSsafras, which was
attributed TO James b Elmore. | would
say IL Is no child Of mine Ii Is an illegiti.
mate offcast else its father would have
owned IL. My poems are printed over my
tort the poet offered the editor some verse:
on Dudes and Sassafras." The first verse
said:
Some people fain would be poet
With their cheek OF brazen brass,
AS they Oil their empty stomachs
With the juice OF sassafras."
The last verse:
Now. when your mind Is wandering
And your meter Is stale In cast,
Don't inslnuate on bards and farmers,
But just take your sassafras."
A FITTING REBUKE.
This fitting rebuke had its effect with tn
young man OF the Journal. and he no NOR
rnonkeyed with the poet OF Ripley II