Life, 1927-08-11 · page 7 of 36
Life — August 11, 1927 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main poem by Edgar Lee Masters satirizes a small-town scandal involving Wolf Fuelner, who ran a brewery and restaurant. The narrative describes two competing local events: Rev. Meck's religious revival (which converts souls) and increased police activity against gambling and vice—apparently spearheaded by the reverend. The story culminates darkly when armed men arrive at Fuelner's establishment, leading to his suicide. The accompanying illustration shows the chaos of that final scene—the woman with the umbrella and the confrontation below. The bottom "Squaring the Circle" section is a brief satirical exchange mocking someone named Smithson's failed vacation attempt. The page reflects early 20th-century small-town hypocrisy: religious fervor paired with moral policing leading to tragic consequences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wolf Fuelner HIS town has had twa happenings this week Which interest and happiness provided Wolf Fuelner suicided, Whercat the church decided To raise the salary of Rev. Meck. After the Volstead business well unsinewed Wolf's little brewery on the hill Above the river, Wolf continued nda little still, And brew, remembering the vanished cheer, For his friends a little beer. To run his restaurant, Meanwhile the Rev. Meek held a revival, And wan some eighty souls to God, Giving them Methodist tickets To pass the heavenly wickets; And the Baptists started, too, trying to rival These eighty odd Souls won over to God. Now eighty people. thirty being men, Make a considerable increase Of the town’s Inflamed with r misness, especially when Chiefed by the Rev. Meek They drove Moll Miner over to Springfield, then They arrested Harry Croaker For playing poker. lice, The. Carter, Watty Carver and Hank Bale Went fishing above the bridge, and just below Wolf Fuelner’s place you know. At one o'clock the fish began to fail, And their stomachs, too, and so they went Up to Wolf's place for nourishment, And got a table Laughing his cheeks red Wolf hustled around and ripped Germanic oaths of welcome, gave them bread, Cold ham and pickles; and for better cheer Went out, came back and slipped Each one a glass of beer. While they were cating, all at once Steps shutled at the door. There stood the saved With Rev. Meck to the fore, And Constable Mick. The laughter ended, every one loc And Wolf went over to a shelf, Took down a pistol and shot himself. That night the trustees voted Rev. Meck More salary, and to-day they buried Wolf In Dutchland graveyard near Salt Creek. Edgar Lee Masters. Squaring the Circle “Q™MITHSON says his holiday wasn't a success.” What tion with pleasure.” you expect ? nes like a pack that hunts, He tried to combine vaca- The Sculptor: WELL, WHAT DO You THINK oF 1T? Friend: cusnsinc! crarminc! net pon't THAT IT’S A LITTLE TOP-HEAVY FOR A RADIATOR CAP you FE comicbooks.com