This poem was included in the original 1915 edition.
DID YOU ever find out Which one of the O'Brien boys it was Who snapped the toy pistol against my hand? There when the flags were red and white In the breeze and "Bucky" Estil Was firing the cannon brought to Spoon River From Vicksburg by Captain Harris; And the lemonade stands were running And the band was playing, To have it all spoiled By a piece of a cap shot under the skin of my hand, And the boys all crowding about me saying: "You'll die of lock-jaw, Charlie, sure." Oh, dear! oh, dear! What chum of mine could have done it?
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Jay Bushman , 8 months ago
Is this really the Charlie that Nellie Clark talks about?
In the Annotated SRA, the note mentions that this is based on the story of a 14-year old who died when hit by accidental cannon fire.
Or maybe Nellie Clark's father killed him and made it look like an accident.