Like
all states Wyoming has had its share of colorful characters, none more colorful
than Edgar Wilson (Bill) Nye. Nye came west to Wyoming in 1876 and stayed seven
years until 1883. He settled in Laramie and found his true passion and maybe
what he was put on this earth to do – writing humor.
Nye
practiced law, became postmaster of Laramie and worked for the local paper
before started his own, The Laramie Boomerang, (still a six day a week paper) his newspaper columns
became so popular that they were reprinted far from the small town in Southeast
Wyoming being picked up by papers all over America and reprinted by more than a
dozen newspapers in Europe.
Nye
was indeed a first rate humorist, one of the best of his time, later in life he
often shared the stage, and equal billing with Mark Twain. Unfortunately Nye’s
humor has not been as lasting as Twain’s but in the last quarter of the 1800s
he was one funny guy.
One
of my favorite excerpts from his writing follows. This writing explains his
resignation as Laramie’s Postmaster.
It is a full newspaper column I have reduced
to only four of the thirteen paragraphs.
Enjoy!
Postoffice,
Divan, Laramie City, W.T.
Sir.—
I beg leave at this time to officially tender my resignation as postmaster at this place, and in due form to deliver the great seal and the key to the front door of the office. The safe combination is set on the numbers 33, 66 and 99, though I do not remember at this moment which comes first, or how many times you revolve the knob, or which direction you should turn it at first in order to make it operate.
I beg leave at this time to officially tender my resignation as postmaster at this place, and in due form to deliver the great seal and the key to the front door of the office. The safe combination is set on the numbers 33, 66 and 99, though I do not remember at this moment which comes first, or how many times you revolve the knob, or which direction you should turn it at first in order to make it operate.
You will find the postal cards that have not
been used under the distributing table, and the coal down in the cellar. If the
stove draws too hard, close the damper in the pipe and shut the general
delivery window.
Tears are unavailing. I once more become a
private citizen, clothed only with the right to read such postal cards as may
be addressed to me personally, and to curse the inefficiency of the postoffice
department. I believe the voting class to be divided into two parties, viz:
Those who are in the postal service, and those who are mad because they cannot
receive a registered letter every fifteen minutes of each day, including
Sunday.
Mr. President, as an official of this Government I now retire. My term of office would not expire until 1886. I must, therefore, beg pardon for my eccentricity in resigning. It will be best, perhaps, to keep the heart-breaking news from the ears of European powers until the dangers of a financial panic are fully past. Then hurl it broadcast with a sickening thud. *
Mr. President, as an official of this Government I now retire. My term of office would not expire until 1886. I must, therefore, beg pardon for my eccentricity in resigning. It will be best, perhaps, to keep the heart-breaking news from the ears of European powers until the dangers of a financial panic are fully past. Then hurl it broadcast with a sickening thud. *
*Excerpt taken from—Bill Nye’s Western Humor
Selected and with an Introduction
By T. A. Larson
University of Nebraska Press
Lincoln, NE 1968
If you would like to see the letter in its
entirety you can find it here- http://www.lettersofnote.com/2012/10/here-roads-seem-to-fork.html
3 comments:
LOL!! People still complain about the USPO, while I give them a lot of credit for hard work. I sure wouldn't want to walk in rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. all day.
I knew about Bill Nye, although I hadn't read any of his columns. Twain stole his thunder, I guess. I've always wondered if Bill Nye the Science Guy (former TV star, 1990s) is related to him. Doubt it, but got me curious.
I was given a book of Bill Nye's writings in the 1950's. He had been dead for over 50 years at that time. I loved it and took it to show my teacher in 1961, and she never returned it. I wish I could replace it. The currently popular Bill Nye is amusing in a way, but sadly he seems to believe his own jokes.
Thanks for the comments Meg and Karen. Bill Nye, not related to the science guy was quite an interesting character. Over the years I have managed to purchase most of his stuff- still fun to read today.
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