The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-07-27
NOTED IOWA POET
IN LECTURE FIELD
Wilt Bead His Star Poems in
a Setting OF Catchy
Comment.
LEGENDS AND JlNGlES
Excels as a Writer Of indian Legends
and 7hymed Stories from the In
cidents of Every
Day Life.

Friends OF FE1mer p. Branch. the poet
ical editor of the Westgate Herald, an
nounce that he rs prepared TO appear as a
reader of his most popular poetical sue
c~esses, mterspersed by catchy comment,
the program to be introduced by Il short
pithy address in which amateur poets are
eNtoiled, encouraged and instructed. and
the p~oetical side of the American people
set forth in unusual praise.
Mr.. Branch, who has published two
editions of his poetieal works, one u
brochure and one a cloth bound volume,
has not sought to contribute to the maya
zines, but has introduced all his poems in
local Iowa newspapers to which he has
been attached, or from the platform to
home audiences. Though editor of a coun-
try paper, member of the town council,
volunteer fireman, member of the West
gate cornet band. clerk of his Moodman
camp. teacher of a Sunday school class
and member OF the choir in his church. he
finds time to occasionally write II delight
full Indian legend, a romantic rhymed
story, a pretty lyric or Nit OF high-t1own
blank verse. But his most successful
verses, the ones that have given him a
statewide reputation, are those descriptive
of pretty features of local scenery and
romantic or otherwise Interesting incidents
Of village and country life.
Mr.. Branch's latest poetical success is
"Bills School Ma'am.' a rhymed romance
In broken metre, in which Bill, IN un-
lettered but manly young farmer, tells his
married sister. who has just arrived for a
visit at the old home. of his love for the
pretty school ma'am who is boarding
there. Bill opens his remarks by declar-
Ing this young lady to be:
- the incest gal on the girth
OF this great cid whirlin' earth.
He then goes on to tell how she has
awakened in him an ambition to '.be
somebody" and grows eloquent describing
her superior qualities as a school teacher,
i boarder and a lady, and how abashed he
was when first she first came. The stanza
setting forth her beauty is quoted entire:
Is she purity? Well, should say!
Purity as the break of day
Wy her hands is jest like lilies, and her
eyes
They are picturs from the skies
And them teeth!
You should see EN- shine beneath
Her lips when they are slightly parted,
Jest when a smile has started
On that face that heaven lent her,
Face fashioned by some inventor
Mong Gods angels up above
Wy Sis, 'twould make We love
Every inch of her. 'Afazin' grace!
But She has the Sweetest face
Ever / see, and them little feet O. her'n
liz jest illdhc ltle NtdlI
To hold EN- in my hands-
They look so cunnin'-
Joshua! but they are %stunnin'!
Don't see how she stands
So handy
On SIGH purity bits of candy
AS them feet!
Neat?
Bless you, yes.
And the bewitchin'est dress
That ever was she Wore
Last Sunday. You'd a swore
Thai she jest floated like a fay
In it, Std of waikiki. It's a way
She has that makes her seem
Like somethin' seen in a dream
One has had. but don't jest recollect
'Cept the lingerin' nice effect.
Job and Moses!
She jest moves in flounces, lace and roses,
Like they was air and she a spirit
l can't describe it. mr. come near it.
Though homely in phrase, where can you
find a more eloquent description of femi-
nine charm and beauty? Wrapped up in
his subject Bill continues in the praise of
his lady love and tells how she rescued
him from a watery grave after he had
helped her out of a broken place in the
Ice and then was himself sinking from cold
and exhaustion; but how he despaired Of
ever winning her love because he was so
rough and ungainly'' and she SO learned
and refined declaring emphatically, how
ever, that he will win her yet, If he has to
give up farming and "go through Yale"
There is a sequel to the poem in a foot
note which explains that the young lady,
who was in the hammock just outside the
open window, overheard every word of
Bills eulogy. and afterward Joined heart
lily in the young mans plans for his future
education, advising him to build upon the
fundamental knowledge gained in his very
successful farm work by studying agri-
culture in it's scientific form. After Bill
had hen1 L1rGcCGI i1u Inv tho caIcpl, ,,1
became a noted farm scientist, known in
his Old home neighborhood as professor
Bill" the little school ma'am Became the
queen of Professor Bilrs home.
The Last of the Sahoahs' ia the most
finished and sentimental, and The Ban
ishcd Sachem' the greatest of MIR.
Branch's Indian legends, but prairie
BLOWER of the Poncas'' is the p%rettiest and
will be read the most. This poem is writ
ten in Hawaiian style, and is descriptive
of prairie scenes on the Little Sioux river
in early June time, long before the pale
face trespassed on the virgin western
praifies." Prairie Flower, the pretty
Ponca girl. is thus described:
Eyes that twinN,ed like the starbeams,
Tresses black and silken. flowing
Like the dropping wings Of angels,
Fingers like the touch of morning
As it lifts the waking cNeiids,
Feet whose tread upon the grasses
Were as breathings of a spirit.
Voice as sweet and softly charming
AS the birdnotes of the daybrcak.
Thus was blessed the good Bcak's dGush-
ter.
And her features and her figure
Were so consiy that the Pcncas
Named her Nivce. Prairie Flower.
Whether in stately blank verse or in
hn:rely phrase of country lover. in ballad
or short lyric, tie author abounds in prct-
ty compliments to women. This poem
ends r~omanticaHy In the cspousal and
marriage CT Prairie Flower to big Antlers,
the awkward but brave son CT Chief Gray
Wolfe, after the boy had won distinction
Ii an engagement with an attacking haI.d
OF 0mahas.
rhc poem which won Mr.. Branch his
frs, fame ard which has been 1ecited by
Il g prize pupl. in many g rural and viilagc
school in "Cowboy Jacks story ;reat-
.sg Of an adventure in western Nebraska
in TIC carly EOS, Jack was tie black s,.cep
IN an eastern home. He went west,
rorghcd it, ard finally established a c&ttle
ranch tt.s.lering en- the faFees Of tic Sioux
aHd Cheyc.1cs. Cue n.aht he 20. lost on
tie plains in . storm. Wlii,e being wor-
riel ~ wolves he heard IKE shouts OF