The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-11-07
CAROLINE DANA HOWE DEAD.
/ One of Names Most Brilliant Writers
. Succumbs to Old Age

Caroline Dana Howe, one OF Maine
brightest writers, died at her home, 1853
Cumberland avenue, Portland, Oct
30th. She was 81 years of age and the
attending physicians state that her
death was due to old age. For the
past two months she has been confined
to her home and her death was expect
ed among her friends. \ number of
cousins who reside in different parts of
New England are the only relatives
,, who survive her.
MIS-. Carollne Dana Howe was a
native Of Fryeburg, but has resided in
Portland since early childhood. Her
pleasant home on Cumberland street,
was the home of her parents and she
has lived in it more than 40 years.
From her earlist youth her love of
poetlcal expression manifested itself.
When about 10 years old she used to
save all her pennies to buy the little
one-cent picture books that were being
sold then, and would endeavor to
describe the gaudy pictures in verse.
The first school she attended in Port
land was the old schoolhouse on Spring
street now an engine house. Though a
very little girl, she there attained quite
celebrity among her schoolmates as
maker of verses and on one occasion
one of the older girls came to ask her
assistance III composing a poem that
should contain the expression moss
covered cottage" Together they work
ed at this arduous task and were never
prouder than when they had completed
it and obtained the object in view.
Although she had composed verses all
through her childhood and girlhood,
her first poem was not published till
she was 90 years of age. 1t appeared
in the Portland Transcript.
Soon after, and while she was teach
ing school in Boston, her genius dis
played itself i'll large number of poems.
and she is one of the very few who can
say that they never had a poem reject
ed. She received liberal compensation
for her poems and the number that has
been published is among the hundreds.
She has also been a successful writer
of prose, and her sketches and short
stories were and are as welcome to
editors as her verses.
A small volume, containing a childs
story, entitled willis Howard" was
published for her by the Massachusetts
Sabbath School Society and three
editions were exhausted. In 1885 her
volume of poems entitled "Ashes for
Flame and Other Poems," was publish
ed and the first book that came from
the press she sent as a gift to the late
Edward II. Elwell, whose early and
constant encouragement was an inspi-
ration to her in her work. The sale
was so immediate and extensive that
the cost of the edition was equalled bv
the receipts in % days.
OF the SO of her poems which have
q 70
her masterpiece, Leaf by Leaf the
Roses Fail" This poetic gem was
written in 1885, and first appeared in
Gleason's Pictorial. She received 50
for it.
soon after it was stolen by I. B.
Bishop, an English composer, who set
it to music and it was published by
John Church Il Co. in Cincinnati.
which firm cleared $4,000 from it the
first six months. But Mrs. Howe
never received anything but the So.
The poem has been claimed by six other
composers, who set it to music.
Among Mrs. HoWe's most cherished
souvenirs OF prominent people (and she
had many was letter from Mrs.
Francis l.. Mace, wherein she says that
she had been feeling vexed that she
was so frequently and almost exclusive
lly known as the author of "Only Wait
ing and exclaimed to her husband,
81 might as well have never written
anything else-all other work goes for
nothing in comparison with that simple
little song" He replied, ''You ought
to be thankful that one song is sure to
survive you. Think of other poets that
are now popular. What one poem will
keep their memories fifty years hence?"
Several were suggested whose work
was all good but contained nothing
distinctive. "Now think of Caroline
Dana Howe" said he, "What has she
given to the world?" "Oh," exclaimed
Mrs. Mace, She will not be forgotten
while Leaf by Leaf the Roses Fall"
THAT is So" said he, Zone poem that
the world makes it's own is better than
volumes of fine writing"