Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 17, 1920

     Oct 17, 1920 –

     Yesterday I went to the Stark Depot to meet Joe & the Kaisers. While there my attention was attracted from the sight of the thinning trees beyond the Libery stable in the hazy October sunshine, to an old man and a group of boys, There was something intensely interesting about them – The old man was the old fast disappearing type of close footed farmer the kind that inspired the creator of the popular Grotesque – Uncle Sam with caved in mouth and hooked beard. The boys were mostly Italians & Jews, and were putting in a dull moment in furious tussling. The old man watched them with absorbing interest, his eyes sparkling & his whole body quivering – Evidently he enjoyed but at the same time there probably lingered in his mind some remnants of the duties of a grown up man, and that he was called upon to cull their boisterousness. So when the tumult was at its height he would call in a high squeaky “Boys Boys” hey there!” and rap one of them with his cane. This done he would resume his attitude of attention and watch them with obvious enjoyment.

Charles E. Burchfield, Oct 17, 1920