Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

85. Barney Hainsfeather

IF the excursion train to Peoria

Had just been wrecked, I might have escaped with my life—

Certainly I should have escaped this place.

But as it was burned as well, they mistook me

For John Allen who was sent to the Hebrew Cemetery

At Chicago,

And John for me, so I lie here.

It was bad enough to run a clothing store in this town,

But to be buried here—ach!