I recently shared a poem written by my 2nd great grandfather, Washington Marion Crawford. While discussing this poem with my cousins, one shared a comment about his having a copy of Josie’s ledger of poetry. This comment reminded me that I have the actual ledger. In remembering this ledger, I realized that I hadn’t done enough to share with future generations.
When the Internet was young, I did transcribe some of these poems and contributed them to the Kansas Memory project. However, I did not submit all of the poems. Evidently, I also had never scanned the ledger. I have since scanned the ledger and created a document with the scanned image on the left and the transcription on the right. This PDF file has been uploaded as a memory to Josie Hammond’s profile on FamilySearch. I’ve also uploaded Josie’s Ledger to Archive.org. Thus, I’m hoping that her ledger will be preserved well into the future.
The Call of the Road
Oh, the luring road, the shining road
As it dips over the horizon’s rim
It seems to say “I’ll lead the way”
Till we reach the ocean’s brim.
I love the thrill of the lift over the hill
And the sweep of the downward glide
To the valleys deep where rivers sweep
Under the bridges wide.
When the sun sinks low in a golden glow,
Then I long to drop the load
Of all life’s care and free as air
Speed down the shining road.
Oh, the luring road, the shining road
Till with age my eyes grow dim
I will long to go where you lure me so,
As you dip o’er the horizons rim.
J.W.C.
Heartland Genealogy 