Life, 1917-06-28 · page 33 of 39
Life — June 28, 1917 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct elements: **Main Content:** An obituary for William J. Lampton, a poet and humorist known for his "Yawp" system of poetry and cheerful newspaper verses. The piece praises his democratic spirit and kindly character, noting he was beloved by working-class people in his community. **Primary Advertisement:** L.C. Chase & Co.'s luxurious motor car upholstery, featuring an illustration of well-dressed passengers in an elegant automobile. **Satirical Poem:** "Which Is It?" mocks disagreement over the correct pronunciation/spelling of Salonika (a Balkan city). The poem presents competing claims—one man calls it "Salonika," another insists it rhyme with "Micah," and a third supports "Salonecka"—before humorously declaring that whatever President Woodrow Wilson says must be correct. This satirizes both nationalist linguistic pedantry and wartime deference to Wilson's authority during World War I.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
William J. Lampton GLOOM-CHASING poet has A eet in the death of Mr. Wil- liam James Lampton, the well-known st, humorist and inventor of the “Yawp” system of poetry. It is to be regretted that he could not have lived to see the finish of this war. He was a true exponent of de- mocracy and freedom, His “The American Eagle Speaks” was the liter- tion of the year when it The Sun, His simple, un- g way of telling his narra- tive, the truthfulness of his subject and the masterly way in which he handled it were nothing short of won- derful. Many of his friends, including the laborers, shopkeepers and others with whom he was intimately acquainted, will mourn his death. He was like the coming of sunshine when his round form appeared in their doorways. Al- ways cheerful and happy, ready to do a good turn or make someone else gay, he was a welcome visitor to their shops. For blocks around the storckeep- ers would look eagerly to his com- . Never a cross or karsh word fell s lips, never a profane ex- n or cjaculation emitted from his clean soul. A Kentucky colonel, lance newspaperman, a humor- ist, a poct and a philosopher was he. Many of his friends will miss his lines of cheer which appeared daily in id for the last eight months. le “ Yawp” verse, as he called d thousands and made many more understand the daily occurrences more clearly than if they had absorbed the logic of Thoreau, the philosophy of Socrates or the wisdom of Solomon. Liam Shane. “Tilt noble Duke of York Had forty thousand men; B He marched them up a hill one day, Then marched them down again” because he had forgotten to leave an order for Lire with his newsdealer. us of any intended change in eur address. The post office forwards only ers to changed addresses, not papers. Send Prompt notice or your copies will be lost. Notice must reach us ten days in advance by the Monday of the week preceding the Pre of changing the address. , Subscription Department Z, [A urious eC otor Car a Me ipholsfer \ *L-C-CHASE & CO- fre BOSTON a “NEW YORK DETROIT CHICAGO. Leaders in Manufactarmg Since IS4T MOHAIR:VELVETS SS Wade by Santord Mills Which Is It? GENTLEMAN who freely grows A Captain on the Struma front, Arbutus and japonica, Who does not love the Greek, And thinks the whole Levant he Declares it is the proper stunt knows— To call it Salonique. He called the place Salonika. But Woodrow Wilson is for me Another says that is not true; Enough; I do not seek a The word should rhyme with Micah, Better authority than he He swears by Athos mountain blue Who calls it Salonecka! It should be Salonika. . ae Ks.com.