Josie’s Ledger

I 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.

Previous posts:

• Josie’s Poetry
• Our Golden Wedding
• The Call of the Road
• Armistice Day
• Answer to the Playhouse Under the Porch
• Come on, Pal
• Mercies
• Just Thinking
• Lines to a Friend on Her Birthday
• The Little Gray House
• Written for Circle No. 7 ME church

Song of the Wheels

Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Over the rails we go
Clickety click, Clickety click
Westward – westward. Ho
We’re speeding o’er the rolling plain
With wheat fields far and wide
Richer than Coronado’s gold
Spread on everyside.
Clickety click, Clickety click
Merrily on we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward – Westward Ho
We climb the mountains steep and high
In Raton’s tunnel hide,
Then out “into the sun” again
On the western side
Clickety Click, Clickety click
Over the rails we go
Clickety Click, Clickety click
Westward Westward Ho
We twist around the rocky curves
In the canyons deep.
Down Glorietor shoot the chutes
Then slowly upward creep.

Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Over the rails we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward, Westward Ho
We’re going west to see the sea
Where land and water meet
And the bathing beauties fair
Never even wet their feet
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Merrily on we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward, Westward Ho
When we have gotten clear out here
At the behest of man
We have to turn us right around
And go back East again.
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Over the rails we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Eastward, Eastward Ho
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Merrily on we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward Westward Ho
Then o’er the desert wide and dry
With sandy river beds
That often ragin torrents are
From snow in the watersheds
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Over the rails we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward Westward Ho
Then we climb the Sierra’s high
And on through El Cafon
The only word that rhymes with that
That we know is Raton

Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Merrily on we go
Clickety Click, Clickety Click
Westward, Westward Ho
Then on into the sunny land
Where the lemons grow
Also oranges and grapefruit
And many kinds of “nuts” also
Clickity Click Clickity Click
Over the rails we go
Clickety Click Clickety Click
Westward Westward Ho
We’re going west to see the sea,
Where land and water meet
And the bathing beau􀆟es fair
Never even wet their feet
Clickity Click Clickity Click
Merrily on we go
Clickity Click Clickity Click
Westward Westward Ho
When we have go􀆩en clear out here
At the behest of man
We have to turn us right around
And go back East again.
Clickity Click Clickity Click
Over the Rails we go
Clickity Click Clickity
Eastward Eastward Ho
J.W.C.

Josie’s Ledger

I 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.

Previous posts:

• Josie’s Poetry
• Our Golden Wedding
• The Call of the Road
• Armistice Day
• Answer to the Playhouse Under the Porch
• Come on, Pal
• Mercies
• Just Thinking
• Lines to a Friend on Her Birthday
• The Little Gray House

Today’s Entry

Written for circle No. 7
M.E. Church

Circle No. 7 served lunch at a sale
Which is the reason for this little tale.
We extracted money with very little pain.
If we get the opportunity we’ll do it again
We had a fine time as any will tell
So let me introduce you to our personnel

First, there was dear Esther
How she loves to pester
But she kept us all working just the same.

Then Mrs. Dilly
Whose form is hilly
With a car load of groceries came flying down the hill

In hurried Mrs. Waite
Fearing she’d be late

Mrs. Morgan came by parcel post
Mrs. Sullivan did love
To poke cobs into the stove
And kept that corner warm as toast

There is another whom you all know
Tho her name is Lighter, her form isn’t so

We have two sisters of that name here.
One called “want some doughnuts?”
The other “you pay here.”

There was Mrs. Robb
How she did bob
When asked “What kind of pie have you?”

And slender Mrs. Ott
Always on the dot
When asked for a sandwich gave them two.

Then Mrs. Lon
With a clean apron on
Borrowed all the others that she could
When it comes to washing dishes
She takes to water like the fishes.
But we doubt much if she dried them like she should.

There were some others
But their part was so small
It isn’t really necessary
To mention them at all.

Josie’s Ledger

I 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 Little Gray House

There’s a little gray house nestled down ‘neath the trees
It has stood there many a year.
And the roses blooming ’round the yard
Send their perfume far and near
And a gray hair woman sits alone
On the porch when the day is done.
And softly croons a lullaby
As she thinks of the absent ones.
For there was a time when the house was new
With its trees so young and small.
It so o’erflow with riotous youth
It scarce could hold it all
For often would the wall resound
With girlish laughter sweet
And there were sturdy boyish shouts
And the patter of baby feet
There came schooldays hurrying by
With the scramble for book and slate,
And the frantic search for coat and cap
For fear they would be late.

Then when school days are over,
Each takes up his own task.
Then by the window a coffin stands
For death comes in masked
Then the house sees happy brides
Going out to make new homes
so one by one they leave the nest
Till mother sits alone.
But once again the walls resound
With girlish laughter sweet,
And there are sturdy boyish shouts
And the patter of baby feed.
And the gray haired woman is busy now
No longer she sits alone
But still she hums a lullaby
For the grandchildren are at home.

Josie’s Ledger

I 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.

Lines to a Friend on Her Birthday

As we journey down life’s pathway
Past the milestones, one by one
And we see the shadows lengthen
As we go toward the setting sun.
It is good to feel the handclasp
Of the old friends tried and true;
And to see their smiling faces
And know the smile’s for you.
It is good to get the greeting
From the old friends far away.

And to read the wishful message
“Wish I were with you today”
It is good to pause a moment
As we journey down life’s way;
Just to stop to be a neighbor
And a word of kindness say.
It is good we can look backward
On years in this service spent.
Willingly we did each duty,
On this errands gladly went.
Till we can say with Paul of Jesus
As at last the end we see
I have fought the good fight, Master
I have kept the faith in thee.

Josie’s Ledger

I 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.

Just Thinking

A little line of poetry came to my mind ‘t’other day
And it sort o’ kept me ponderin’ as I ambled on my way
‘Bout how “it takes a heap o’ livin'” in a house to make
You sure will never have one if your allus on the roam
But you got to settle down somewhere
And plant some vines and trees
And some roses and some lilacs
To perfume the evening breeze
But these things are on the outside
And while the’re nice to own
It’s the family that live inside
That really makes it home
If Pa wants to be a real “old sport”
And spend his cash for “booze”
No matter if the boys and girls
Are needin’ clothes an’ shoes.
He’s a real “good Feller” with the “boys”
But comes home grouchy, cross
When it comes to makin’ a real home
That man’s a total loss.
And ma likes to spend most all her home
At dances or at shows
And goes to bridge club meetings
To show her good clothes.

She may even do some “uplift” work
For the pore folks in the slums.
While her own neglected children
Run round the neighborhood like bums
Home’s just a place to eat and sleep
Not a place for havin’ fun,
Or gettin’ help from Pa or Ma
To get their lessons done.
They just come in to eat a bite
Then out again they roam.
All their “childhoods happy memories”
Are of a neighbors home.
But if Pa and Ma are kind an’ good
An’ do the best they kin
To raise their children up to be
Good women, honest men,
Teach ’em to play fair and square
At home as well as at school
And raise ’em up to Fear the Lord
And mind the Golden rule.
They teach em that there is some task
For everyone to do
And then there’s jolly times for all
When the work is through

And so they grow up strong and brave
And go out to the strife
With characters so strongly made
They’re not afraid of life,
So Pa and Ma have really been
A help to their home town,
By brining up a family
They can be proud to own.
And even if great wealth and fame
Should pass ’em by for good,
A home like that’s a credit
To any neighborhood.

Josie’s Ledger

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.

Mercies

As I sat beside the ocean
The old song came to me
“There’s a wideness to God’s mercy.
Like the wideness of the sea.”
As I watched the waves come rolling.
Never ending, never s􀆟ll;
So God’s mercies roll upon those
Who strive to do this will.
Tho we say we see the ocean
Human eye ne’er sees it all.
So God’s wonderous love and mercy
Is more than enough for all.
But some􀆟mes a rock, upstanding
Parts the waters as they come.
Breaks the smooth incoming current,
Throws it back in seething foam.
So our human wills set, stubborn
In defiance of this plan
Breaks the steady flow of blessings
God would gladly sent to man
Let us then keep our wills humble.
Always try his will to see.
When all wills are all then submissive
Earth a paradise will be.

Josie’s Ledger

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.

Come on, Pal

Do you ever feel a yearning to roam?
There are wonderful ci􀆟es, There are the mountains
And great rolling rivers, And deserts dry.
And the great gray ocean with sparkling foam.
Come on, Pal, let’s go.
There are deeds of kindness that we may do.
There are poor to feed and the sick need care
And sorrow and suffering everywhere
And few t do it but me and you.
Come on, Pal, let’s go.
There is the story of Jesus that needs to be told
To the heathen abroad and the unlearned at home
And hundreds of children who heedlessly roam
With none to tell the sweet story of old
Come on, Pal, let’s go.
And when we think our journey is o’er
We’re so very 􀆟red and in need of a rest.
There is one more journey the last and the best
When Jesus shall call from the beau􀆟ful shore.
Come on, Pal, let’s go

Josie’s Ledger

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.

Armistice Day

How our thoughts turn face
To that day in years now gone
When our boys were figh􀆟ng grim,
In the desolate Argonne.
Long and wary had the days been
In that slow but sure advance.
As they drove the Germans Backward
From the ba􀆩lefields of France.
But a whisper passed among them
“We are going to have peace.”
They have set the zero hour
When the firing shall cease.
Then the order came “Cease firing,”
Brining quietness so blest,
To the troops who held the front line.
As so sorely needed rest
An in the old French villages
How they laugh and sing and pray
In one place a group of soldiers
Rang the church bell all that day
We rejoiced when it was over.
May war never rage again.
Help us, Lord, to solve our problems
Without the sacrifice of men.

Josie’s Ledger

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.

Josie’s Ledger

Do you have family treasures in your genealogy collection? Have you thought about what might happen to that treasure once you no longer are doing genealogy?

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.

Below is one of my favorite poem

Our Golden Wedding

Fifty years, ’tis a long look back

To that far off winter day,

When we started out, just a pair of kids.

Together to tread life’s way

There were no airplanes or radios then

Automobiles were unheard of too

There wasn’t a telephone in the town

And electric lights were few.

When we started housekeeping by ourselves

There wasn’t much work to do,

For the house we had was very small,

And the table was set for two.

Then the babies started coming along,

And we worked early and late,

By the time we moved into a home we owned

The table was set for eight.

Then another girl happened along

But before she had a place of her own,

The oldest girl and the man of her choice

Had started another home.

Then two boys went away to war

And things were in an awful fix.

We worked for the Red Cross and sold liberty bonds

And the table was set for six.

Then the boys came home, but soon Cupid’s darts

Drove a boy and a girl from the hive.

And death’s cold hand took another boy

And the table was set for five.

Then a boy and a girl went away to school

A teacher and a nurse to be.

And now the table looks awfully small,

When its only set for three

The boy at school found a wee small girl

That he just must have for a wife

But the nurse still seems content

To live a single life.

Then the youngest girl met a farmer

And married as most girls do.

And we’re right back where we started from

And the table is set for two.

But as the years have come and gone.

And good times or hard times we’d see

I’ve never grown tired of seeing

That same face across the table from me.