Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-04-11

be immortalized In the "Old Folks at Home"
His brother, Morrison Foster, told 1t first In his
biography OF Stephen-that the composer wanted
the name of some southern river two syllables In
length, rejecting both Pedee and Yazoo, which
Morrison suggested. Then the latter took down
an atlas and Suwannee was found. "That's 1t
exactly" the brother reports Stephen as saying,
and continues: "He left the office, as was his
custom, abruptly, without saying another word,
and | resumed my work"
Although MFR. Howard admits the ring of au-
thentlcity, he doubts the e~xactness of the account
OF the incident as here set down. 1--WE know
from Stephens workbook," he says, "that Pedee
was probably not Morrison's suggestion, but
rather Stephens first idea, one with which he
was dissatisfied"
The decade 1850 to 1860 was to be Stephen
Fosters heydey. In 1850 he was married to Jane
Mcdowell. In 1852 he wrote "Massa's In the
Cold, Cold Ground''; began efforts to have him.
self acknowledged as the rightful author of
Old Folks at Home" and with his wife took
that memorable Steamboat trip to New Orleans,
the rich fruit of which was to be the song, my
Old Kentucky Home" copyrighted In 1853. What
claim the state OF Kentucky may have upon this
song Mr.. Toward discusses at length. Stephen
had cousins living In the beautiful mansion
huUWu al rSuETHi 1dll III bHTuSLUWu4 ana TnAT
he visited them there is certain. Beyond that
Howard is not willing to go. The house was re-
Gently purchased by the state and made a Eos
ter shrine. However, although he was to write
literally hundreds more of songs, this marvellous
piece, with its haunting goodnight line, was
never to be surpassed by Stephen.
Fosters eve biographer treats the subject
of his marriage cautiously, declaring that Jane
doubtless put up with a great deal of nonsense.
and that 1t would have required a saint to be-
come the perfect wife for Stephen Foster. But 1t
seems that Jane had some irritating ways, such
as talking during concerts, which must have
been exasperating indeed to her sensitive hus-
band. Mr.. Howard thinks 1t probable that she
nagged him. They had a child, Marion, but the
dreamy Stephen may not have been very good
at family life. His efficient wife subsequently
learned to make her own living as a telegrapher.
They lived for a few years with Stephens
family In Pittsburgh, then moved to New York
where the composer yielded more and more to
strong drink. Jane left him only because she
had to earn her living, and, when he died, she
and Morrison FASTENED to New York together.
Stephen Collins Foster died on January 10,
1864-stil q young man-and he died almost
unrecognized, a patient In a charity hospital
Bellevue In New York City. In the pocket of his
WIN lnSJ Aouhu a Smui puioc N"hehAAAHk JUST
38 cents and a slip of paper with five penclled
words on 1t. They were: Dear friends and
gentle hearts,"
mo doubt this was to have been the title of
an unwrltten song, but whatever Its intent, the
phrase describes quite perfectly the dear friend
and gentle heart who added Old Folks at Home
and a dozen other immortal songs to the worlds
spiritual riches"
Thus, the end of the sad saga Of Americas
Troubadour."
by Western Newspaper Union.