Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, November 23, 1911 ~~ Poems by John M. Phipps ~~ The following poems were written by John M. Phipps, of near Shenandoah, who is here at present visiting at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Gardner. Mr. Phipps will be 100 years old on the 14th day of next February: There are the ladies I'd like to Forget, I declare; They are the finest of all of the Flock; They are fairer than the Lilly, More blooming than the rose; They exceed the finest flower that In the garden grows. July like some pink or rose, That blooms in the month of June; Just like some music linsome Above that is newly set in tune, Now young ladies I'll give you Good advice. When you go to get married don't Hasten it on And never do you marry till you Are full twenty-one, And when he comes to see you, His love for to set, Then marry some good man your Love won't forget. Now since we have got to part, Pray give me your hand, May the Heavens protect you Where ever you be, Since hard fortune has proved Cruel on both you and me. -------------------------------------------------------- The second poem by Mr. Phipps follows: Friends, one and all, I am going to Give you a solemn call. Morality is laid aside, religion is Exhausted. The state of men have come to Rule, and conscience sits blasted. See the tax that we do pay, and Still they are not contented; The sheriff is coming every day And cannot be prevented; He'll seize our cattle and our corn And sell them at his leisure. The constitution is not well formed Men are all at leisure. See the officers we put in post; They are not men of merit. Go to the stores and dress them- Selves in costly clothes, No doubt, but on credit, see how They will stagger, strut, swell, Real an' cussin, No doubt, but they'll go down to Hell by swarms if not by dozens. -------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert December 11, 2009 [email protected]