Meet Burton Frye – Poet and Steelworker

I admire people who march to the beat of their own drum. These nonconformists live their life the way they want, without worrying about what other people think – and are probably happier for it.

It sounds like Burton Frye was that kind of person. How else would you describe someone who was a published poet that lived in Lorain, worked at the steel mill, and embarked on a 500-mile bike trek to draw attention to the preservation of the historic home of his idol, American poet Vachel Lindsay?

Above is the story about Frye that appeared in the Lorain Journal on April 13, 1954.

The article notes, "A Phi Beta Kappa steelworker turned part-time poet and ballad singer today launched a 500-mile bicycle trip to help save the historic home of America's "vagabond poet," Vachel Lindsay.

"Using the example of the roving poet who traveled across America on foot and read his verses for his board and lodging, Burton James Frye, 30, 610 Lakeside Avenue, plans to "read my way" to Springfield, Ill.

"There, in the home now occupied by Lindsay's sister, Mrs. Olive Lindsay Wakefield, Frye will end his journey. The house, more than 100 years old, is next door to the Illinois Governor's mansion. It will eventually be destroyed, Frye said, unless enough money is raised to preserve and repair it.

"The Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Miami University is a clerk at National Tube Company's Lorain plant.

"Frye, known locally as "The Moonsinger," has scheduled stops at the Cleveland Public Library, Western Reserve Campus, Oberlin College and Carl Miller's bookshop, Sandusky.

"At each stop he will read selection of Lindsay's poetry.

"He said he would refuse all offers of cash on this trip, but would accept food and lodging.

"Two years ago, Frye, author of three books of poetry, raised $1,200 to paint the Lindsay home.

"A native of Huron, Ohio, Frye will have his fourth book published in September by the American Weave Press. It is called "Moonsinger."

It sounds like Frye completed his bike journey – and promptly set even more goals in his quest to save the Lindsay home, according to this article from the Sandusky Register of July 28, 1954. 

It notes, "Burton Frye, a native of Huron and graduate of Margaretta High school, has a long and winding road ahead of him before he reaches his goal but he has two victories in sight, he told friends and relatives here during a brief visit to the city.

"Frye, a poet, ballad singer and Lorain steel worker, has two immediate goals. One, to hike from Boston to San Francisco. Two, save the birthplace of Vachel Lindsay in Springfield, Ill., as a national shrine to the late troubadour-poet.

"For many years, Frye stated, Mrs. Olive Lindsay Wakefield, sister of the late poet, attempted to preserve the home but is now 77 years old and almost penniless after a period in a hospital. She told the former Erie-co resident this spring when he rode to Springfield on a bicycle that she may be forced to sell the home in order to raise funds on which to live.

"Harry Albacker [featured on this blog many times], nationally known magician and medium, has joined Frye in the campaign. On Dec. 5, the birthday of the poet, Albacker and 75 members of the Brotherhood of American Mediums will travel to Springfield and attempt to contact the spirit of Lindsay, who formerly toured the nation reciting his poems and singing ballads.

Finally, this article from the Edinburg Courier of September 28, 1954, describes how Frye spent the summer. 

It notes, "A Lorain, O., steelworker turned troubadour tramped around the nation during the summer to interest Americans in the restoration of the home of the poet, Vachel Lindsay, in Springfield, Ill.

"Every summer, Burton leaves his work at the steel mills and follows the open road with a guitar and a knapsack over his shoulder, singing the ballads of the country and its folk wherever he stops.

"Burton sleeps beneath the sky, in parks, and sometimes in barns on his jaunts. His food is milk and bread; his clothing a corduroy shirt and rumpled grey trousers and he hasn't a care in the world.

"His fiancee in Lorain, O., wants him to quit troubadouring and enter the real estate business but Burton said: "I want all the real estate, the whole country, the sky."

****

Frye later married Virginia Chapin, who was a poet herself. Between the two of them, they published an impressive number of books of poetry. 

Image courtesy SanduskyHistory.blogspot.com

And what of Vachel Lindsay's historic home? 

Frye was undoubtedly happy that the house was sold to a non-profit foundation by Lindsay's heirs, and opened as a museum in 1960. Click here to visit the Vachel Lindsay Home page on the HistoricIllinois.gov website.