Unknown Sandburg poem found in University of Illinois archive

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:36:00 -0600

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A poem by the late writer Carl Sandburg that appears to have been previously unknown has turned up in the archives of the University of Illinois.

The university says the poem, entitled "A Revolver," was found last week by retired professor Ernie Gullerud as he helped index in Sandburg's archives in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

The poem was typed on a manual typewriter. It begins with four lines on the revolver in question. The last two are: "It delivers unmistakable ultimatums. It is the last word."

George Hendrick is an English professor emeritus at Illinois who edited several volumes of Sandburg's poems. He said the poem is authentic and might have been inspired by President Lincoln's assassination.

The poem is undated. The Illinois-born Sandburg died in 1967.

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Unknown Sandburg poem found in University of Illinois archive