The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-28

HAl that is familiar TO the labor
Ill world. As secretary-treasurer OF
kGIyEssi the United Mine Workers. with
49, headquarters in Indianapolis, he
has become known to all men who daily
risk their lives in the digging of coal. He is
a counselor and advisor of John Mitchell
an able lieutenant, whose services are APP
preciated by the president of an organiza-
ton that has a membership Of over 100000
and that can check out of bank 100000 as
''sinews Of war" if occasion demands.
But it is not of William B. Wilson, as
lieutenant Of a great captain of labor" L
wish 10 write. This sketch is intended to
tell of a trait, characteristic or phase of
the life Of William Bauchop Wilson. the
miner poet" of which the. public knows
little. Few persons aside from Mr.. Wilson's
personal friends are aware that he is a
gifted verse writer--not polished, like the
great classical poets. but having the fac
ulty of expressing himself we'll in plain,
understandable English. To quote him:
No great refined. poetic powers 1 claim;
NO college learning smooths my humble muse;
Unknown 10 fortune. hidden far from fame,
1 simply sing because TO sing L chose.
But as I tune my rude. uncultured Tyre,
III sing the praises of the multitude.
Whose toiling Drawn. and brain, and hearts
Moves ever for their fellow beings good.
The foregoing lines show that Mr.. Wilson
has a very modest appreciation of his own
accomplishment. They are taken from the
introduction to a small collection of Mem
cries recently printed by the author for
circulation among his near friends. The
book is dedicated TO his father and mother.
In the preface, Mr.. Wilson says:
This little volume has been printed mot
published} for circulation among those in
innate friends of mine who can bury its
p~oetical, grammatical and structural de-
fects beneath their personal respect for the
author"
Knowing Mr.. Wilson only as a former
hardworking miner, in whom the members
of his union have great faith, 1 was sur
prised TO receive a copy of Memories"
The book was read with much interest.
Meeting the poet in his office a few days
ago 1 asked him why he had so long hidden
his light under a bushel. You are a poet,
as well as a labor LEADER l added, in ex-
plantation.
The puzzled expression vanished from his
face at once, giving way to a pleased look
and a Frightening of the eye.
I'm a small way he replied, with a
smile. Writing verses. such as they are. is
one OF my methods of obtaining recreation.
When the spirit moves me, 1 find pleasure
in putting my fancies and thoughts on pa
per. 1 had no intention of taking the public
into my confidence, or even whispering
aloud that 1 had the aspirations of a poet.
Editor Sexton, however, during my absence
from the city, called attention in the Mine
/ INnrEorCs Journal tn NV 1ittIa hnnly o,6 n
am now getting more notoriety than L ex-
pected.'
Some of your poems have been printed
heretofore?" 1 queried.
Yes. 1 wished to know whether my
verses had any p~oeticai merit. Therefore. /
sent Memories and The Old Fir Can to
the indianapolis Journal. 1 used the nom
de plume of Adam Black They were both
printed last fall"
AS Mr.. Wilson excused himself for a min
ute and stepped to the door of an adjoining
room to give Instructions to a stenographer,
l had opportunity TO study him physically.
He is about the medium height. five
feet nine inches, broad-shouldered and
of rugged frame. His hair is sprinkled with
gray and beginning to thin, though ne is
only forty-two years old. He is smooth
shaver and his forehead is high. with heavy
eyebrows. His face gives the impression
of strength of character. 1t has none of the
dreaminess that sometimes marks the poet.
In fact. he looks to be what he has been-a
sturdy toiler-with more intellectual cast of
features than generally is found among the
mass of miners.
you have had an eventful life?' I said,
as the miner poet" resumed his seat.
Not greatly different from that of the
average miner" he replied. 1T has been
an active one, however"
Tell me about it. / want material for
the 'morgue.'"
THE 'morgue'?' he repeated.
Eyes. All well-conducted newspapers have
'morgues.' Sketches and pictures of every
person who has attained prominence in any
manner are found there. When a man is
elected TO a high office. does something thai
brings him before the public eye, or dies
the biographical editor goes to the 'morgue,
gets a story Of his life, and puts it into
shape for publication"
THE 'morgue,' then, is merely a genera.
Biography"
Yes. A handy one for emergencies. If al
public men would write their autobiogra.
phies and send them to the newspapers
there would be fewer errors in the printed
sketches of their lives. Now for yours"
Summoning a stenographer, Mr.. Wilson