Collection of Writings, by Joseph M. Carr

Collection of Writings

Joseph M. Carr

(Preface)

Joseph Maxson Carr was my great uncle, the oldest brother of my mother’s mother.

He was a real character.

He allowed my aunt , to type up the stories that appear here, and I asked her for a copy of them via email, which was happy to provide.

Next, I phoned Uncle Joe, to ask if I could publish them under his name on the internet.

Oh, no, but he was very much against any such thing.

Well, my Uncle Joe died recently, and he took the rest of his stories and songs with him.

What would you do, if you had these stories, knowing that Uncle Joe had requested they not be published?

Franz Kafka, the great 20^th Century novelist, left his unpublished works with his friend, Max Brod, asking that they be destroyed after his death. After Franz died in 1924, Max went against his friend’s wishes, and began publishing the books, which went on to great critical acclaim, and established Kafka’s legacy as a major literary artist.

I have chosen to follow Max’s lead.

Uncle Joe’s stories are a part of my families’ history, and a part of the history of the land of his birth—Wisconsin, and I feel strongly that they must be preserved and shared with those who are interested.

Thank you,

T. Johnson

Lafayette, Oregon

August 5^th, 2003

Collection of Writings

Joseph M. Carr

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Five Years Old

Melons

Joe's Army Days (Including Postscript)

Printed in the Gleaner

Gleaner Article: In the Line of Duty