The poem below is one found among to belongings of Ida SMITH Cook and kindly shared by Doug Cook. The lament and also a tease is directed to a maiden whom the author desires to take to the Salt Fork Dance. The poem was not found in the pictured envelope, but because of the writing and the very similar date on the letter and envelope it is suspected that the envelope at one time held the poem. The author of the poem is anonymous, but Doug points out an interesting relationship. The poem is dated Feb 14, 1889, which just happens to have been Valentine's Day which might account for the romantic nature of its contents.
Salt Fork is a stream that is in Miller Township, Dearborn County, Indiana and it empties into Tanner Creek just below Guilford, Indiana. It would seem to this observer that such a place would make a good location for a dance and a chance for young folks to get together. Ida Smith lived in York Township, which adjoins Miller Township.
Who is the author? Is a woman likely to keep such letters from a man other than her husband? Maybe some other handwriting will surface that will one day answer the question, but I suspect that it was Ida Jane Smith's husband to be, Josiah Horney COOK. I know little of this man, but he possessed such a strong affection for his wife that following her death in May 1932, he experienced such a severe bout of depression over his loss that he made the choice to join her by taking his own life some eight months later. I could see such a devoted man writing a Valentine poem such as this.
Read the poem as I did and let your mind wander as to the author, the situation involved in its creation, a dance in the late 1800's in a place which at that time was very rural. Simply enjoy and afterwards take a look at the person sheets to whom the poem might refer.
Ronald R Hall
