The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-09
A Day With Ben Parker.

When a man has made name for
himself in any field OF human endeavor
! the World is interested in him apart
from what he has accomplished. But
with the masses this int crest is not
always in ratio to the real position he
occupies in the temple of fame.
For example we have a great deal
printed about the lives ana doings of
pugiists, which is eagerly read by
thousands, while similar Information
concerning poets is read by the com
paratlve few. / say poets" because
ii is a poet of whom | write--Benjamin
;. Parker, the dean of Indiana poets.
Though not as widely known as some
other writer's of verse in the class TO
which he belongs. and lacking the
methods of the exploiter, still Mr. Par
kef's poetry is considered by CONNIE
tent judges as among the best of it's
KIND. Those who have examined il
critically have found much 20 praise
and little to condemn. Buc what poet
has escaped at least some adverse
criticism? However, / shall lot re-
Ter more than incidentally TO the quail
quality of Mr.. Parker'S verse. but will
tell a few things about the poet him.
self, gathered from personal contact
Born in Henry County, Indiana. and
brought up amid the toll and ankle
ty OF pioneer existence as lived in
those days in the portion of The West
the soul of the poet struggled for ut
farlnpa he has r.,
published book. THE Lessen" which
appeared thirty-five years ago The
spark of inspiration was soon touching
all the homely things around him and
lighting them for the pleasure of his
friends In time his audience grew
till IL now covers wide space. His
latest volume, After Noontide." has
been circulated from Maine to Cali
fornia
There is no more trite saying than
that "a phophet is not without honor |
save in his own country" But with
most poets it has happily been diff |
ferent ard MIR. Parker is no excep- |
ton. He has been, and is. held in |
honor by all his neighbors. and the 1
expression of this feeling has been 4
varied and substantial.
With most persons acquaintance
with the man is consequently upon
knowing his works. 1t was true of
me winter of this sketch in regard
20 his subject. The first poem of Mr..
Parker's / read did not have his name
to it, but such was the at
traction Of the lines for me that | |,
made special inquiry as to their au-
.horship, and eventually this brought
about AN acquaintance between MS II
finally after an occasional ex-
.hange of letters during several wears
through the courtesy of the noef I
ound myself in Newcastle, Ind. the
City OF Roses" and as he has face
iously added-.Pianos.
On an October morning / started on
ny pilgrimage, if l may be allowed
o 70 term it. TO the home of the poet. /
IN my arrival at Newcastle / was
net by Mr.. Parker and soon We were
n the way 10 his residence, where.
n reaching it, | was introduced to
IRIS Parker. who as my hostess made
ae welcome. Then I thought OF the
oem through which I came to know
IT. Parker and in which he voices
he ever-young spirit that he posses
es III so full measure and has breath
forth IN other poems-@The First t
lue bird:
ne call US old, who years decry.
ne bird sings down the cruel lie,
Aere young forever, you and I,
hear the blue bird singing.
incidentally, Mr.. Parker was led to
peak o. his work, after dispozing Of