Poetry

Slabtown

At Topeka Indiana My home was there on main, Nor far north of the railroad Where I could see each train, The trains were often passing >From east and from the west, My aim was see the local The train I loved the best. I oft ran to the depot To talk to railroad men, Who came there with the local Pulled by small engines then. The railroad was completed In eighteen ninety three, That brought cheer to Topeka, That Slabtown use-to-be. Slabtown was oft rejoicing Oh how it's band would play, To learn of a new railroad A coming through they'd say. And long before the railroad Bert Smith did haul the mail, >From Ligonier to Slabtown Who's job at last did fail, For then was built the Wabash That took his job away, That's brought mail to Topeka, Since in Bert's wagon day, I still remember Slabtown Since eighteen eighty three For there I spent my childhood Why it's so dear to me. Author Idda E. Carlson 1601 Cassopolis Street Elkhart, Ind. (This poem was handwritten on a piece of paper and stuck in the book, LaGrange County Centennial History, 1828-1928)

Contributed by: Julie Matthews Burnette

A Reflection

Tell me, brothers, does the scene In and 'round old Springfield gleam With that bright and sylvan touch Which we used to love so much? Do the breezes of the night Cadence on the soft moonlight? Do the stars to brightly beam As in days of youthful dream? Does the bright and rosy morn Subjugate your hopes forlorn? Does it throng your heart with joy As when you were just a boy? In your calm, reflective mood Do you seek some solitude Chambered in a forest dell, Where messengers of Pan dwell? Do the upland and the wood Hark you back where one there stood Pioneers of former years, Fathers of our hopes and fears? Oh! glorious days of old Their loveliness is untold-- While our bark sppeds to that shore Their songs lilt to us evermore. Pleasant, sweet, forever yet, Their mem'ry is rimmed and set With the gems of loves and sighs Lost in the hush of sad "good-byes." by S. C. Spero Lived in Greenfield Township and later in Brushy Prairie, Springfield Township, LaGrange, IN Published in History of Northeast Indiana

Contributed by: Julie Matthews Burnette

Corn a-Talkin'

What I like the best of all Is to hear the corn a-talkin' When the wind is through it walkin' And to ketch the punkins listnin' And a layin' low and glistnin' As ef waitin' for a call. Dr. Silas B. McManus Lived Howe Township, LaGrange County, IN; died April 15, 1917 at his home near Howe, IN

Published in LaGrange County Centennial History, 1828-1928

Contributed by: Julie Matthews Burnette

Hoosierdom

Let's sing a song of Hoosierdom, The land where we were born, Where golden sunshine falls upon The waving wheat and corn, And breezes gently sighing o'er The fields and meadows green, Waft all the sorrows far away Which passing days have seen. With hearts as light and faces bright, Though far from you we roam, Our thoughts turn back to you tonight, Dear Indiana home! Let's sing a song of Hoosierdom, Of our dear native state, And measure all the good it's done, Its boundaries wise and great. Its name upon the pages of The hist'ry of our land Is shining with a glory which Few rivals can command, And burnished even brighter Will a coming page proclaim In ranks of science, art, and wealth, Its ever honored name. Let's sing a song of Hoosierdom, And of the dear old farm- The sun, which we in childhood knew, Is shining just as warm. The birds are in the orchard trees, The vine is o'er the door, The stranger shares our humble fare As freely as of yore; The gold tie of friendship binds The country and the town, And nature's face is smiling as She hands her blessing down. Let's sing a song of Hoosierdom And let the chorus rise >From every heart which claims its joys- We'll laud it to the skies! That all the world may know its worth And knowing, prize aright, The stalwart man and woman-hood; Its glory and its might. Go on, dear Indiana State, `Till all your praise shall sing, Within our loving hearts tonight, We'll crown you as our King! By Deamer R. Drake (Born August 12, 1874 in Clearspring Township, LaGrange County, IN, to Reason R. Drake and Salina Ann Stone) Published in LaGrange County Centennial History, 1828-1928

Contributed by: Julie Matthews Burnette

To see two lovely poems by Barbara Boyd Stewart's Great Aunt Mary Boyd Arnold, click here-Growing Old Gracefully (To get to the second poem, The First Leaf On The Fifth Limb,click on the NEXT button at the bottom of the page) Use your Back button to return to the LaGrange website. Mary Boyd Arnold grew up and went to school in LaGrange.

Contributed by: Barbara Boyd Stewart