Letter signed Will [J.W. Denver], St. Louis, to My dear wife [L.C. Denver], Wilmington, Ohio. I have obtained from Matt the verses he mentioned addressed to Sallie F-----. You will find them exquisitely unintelligible. The English poets from Chaucer to Byron insisted that there could be no real poetry without the “unities.” If this be so then these lines must be real poetry, for they unite in themselves more paradoxes, more nonsense, and more unintelligible rhyme than can anywhere else be found in the same space. It is evident that [the author] is a “goner” and if Miss Sallie don’t find out who he is soon, and take compassion on him, I fear there will soon be work for the Coroner. Regarding St. Louis. This city is much changed since 1850. Some of the streets then noted as fashionable promenades are now crowded with wagons and drays and the business-like appearance of the people hurrying to and from dispels all ideas of fashionable recreation. Individuals mentioned: Matt and Hon. James H. Hughes. Places mentioned: Leavenworth., 1857 Aug 22, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center.

Letter signed Will [J.W. Denver], St. Louis, to My dear wife [L.C. Denver], Wilmington, Ohio. I have obtained from Matt the verses he mentioned addressed to Sallie F-----. You will find them exquisitely unintelligible. The English poets from Chaucer to Byron insisted that there could be no real poetry without the “unities.” If this be so then these lines must be real poetry, for they unite in themselves more paradoxes, more nonsense, and more unintelligible rhyme than can anywhere else be found in the same space. It is evident that [the author] is a “goner” and if Miss Sallie don’t find out who he is soon, and take compassion on him, I fear there will soon be work for the Coroner. Regarding St. Louis. This city is much changed since 1850. Some of the streets then noted as fashionable promenades are now crowded with wagons and drays and the business-like appearance of the people hurrying to and from dispels all ideas of fashionable recreation. Individuals mentioned: Matt and Hon. James H. Hughes. Places mentioned: Leavenworth., 1857 Aug 22, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center. https://mohistory.mobiusconsortium.org/repositories/2/archival_objects/17108 Accessed September 19, 2024.