Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-01-08
william C. Buskett Contributes to the
Life Of His Friend and comrade.
Penn Yam Bill"
WAS WRITTEN IN CHICAGO
penn Van Bill" Was Written In Eu'
gene Fields Room in Chicago for
William C. Buskett.
montana Daily Record).

AAbo la6NhN
story of his own life, as was once his
intention, it would probably have been
the most remarkable work OF fiction
by an American author that eve mas.
queraded in the quaker garment of
fact.
Almost nnumerable newspaper stor,
les have been written OF Eugene
Field. the mar who was always a bun.
die of delightful surprises and OF ever
unconventional personality, to say
nothing of his immortal contributions
to American literature, but there arc
yet to be told many extremely inter
esting incidents OF the life OF the IA
nous author.
Eugene Fields friends were many,
but his intimate friends were few, pre-
sumably from his own choice, for
while he was the very spirit OF con.
geniality he took few to his heart and
confidence. William G. Buskett of
Helena, the hero of Penn Tan Bill,
to whom Field dedicated "Casey's Ia.
BILE d'Hote," the first p m in "A Little
Book of Western Verse" was formany
years Fields most intimate friend
and companion.
Penn Yam Bill" was probably one
of the prettiest poems that Field ever
wrote, but it has never been publish
ed in any of his books. Some time
before Mr.. Field died. and when Mr..
Buskett learned that he contemplated
writing a book, Mr.. Buskett requested
that he should not embody the poem
in the publication. not that he did not
hold dear to his heart the sentiment
which inspired the authority when he
wrote the verses in his room in Chi
cago fifteen years ago, but because
fate had interposed and Penn Van
Bill' had never married b~lack.eyed
Sue" (She Mas long since married
another and now lives in one of the
Carolinas).
Mr.. Buskett has the original manu-
script of Penn Van Bill" just as it
was written by Field while the two
one afternoon were seated in Mr..
E;aId'o ronn, In Cbicaoo
II went up to Mr., Fields room to
write a letter." says Mr.. Buskett. He
had heard something about a young
lady in Kentucky, whose acquain,
lance | greatly esteemed. and while
was writing my letter Field wrote and
presented me with these verses"
In gallus old Kentucky, where the
grass is very blue,
Where the liquor is the smoothest ant
the girls are fair and true,
Where the drop of be-gawd gentle
men is full of heart and sand.
And the stock of four-time winners IL
the finest in the land,
Where the Democratic party in bour
bon hardihood
For more than half a century unter
rified has stood.
Where nod the black-eyed Susans t.
the prattle of the rill-
There-there befell the wooing O
Penn Yam Bill.
Down yonder in the cottage that i,
nesting in the shade
or the walnut trees that seem to Low.
that quiet little glade,
Abides a pretty maiden by the bonn,
name OF Sue
AS pretty as the black-eyed iow'ri
and quite as modest, too;
And lovers came there by the score
Of every age and kind,
But not a one (the story goes) wa
quite to Susie's mind,
Their signs, their protestations, an,
their pleadings made her ILL
Till at once upon the sceneh hove Pen,
Yam Bill.
He came from old Montana and h,
rode a broncho mare.
He had a rather howd'y'do and rough
and-tumble air;
His trousers were of buckskin and hi
coat OF furry stuff
His hat was drab OF color and its rim
vas wide enough:
Upon each leg a stalwart boot reach
ed just above the knee.
And in the belt about his waist hi
weapons carried he;
A rather strapping lover for our littl
Susie-still
She was his choice and he was her.
vas Penn Van Bill.
We wonder that the ivy seeks out tn
oaken tree,
And twines her tendrils round hin
though SCARED and gnarled ne be
We wonder that a gentle girl, muse
to worldly cares,
Should choose a nan whose life ha
been a constant scrap with bears I:
All. It's the nature of the vine, and q
the maiden, too
So when the old Montana boy cam
from his lair to WOO
The fair kentucky blossom felt all he
heartstrings thrill
Responsive to the purring OF Pen
Yam Bill.
He told her OF his cabin In the mour
tain far away.
or the catamount that bowls by nigh,
the wolf that yawps by day;
He told her of the grizzly with tn