Did you know that the Iowa caucuses evolved from a meeting of corn planters in the 1800s known as the Great Iowa Corn Caucus?
Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed (at her request), and a lover of corn, advocated for years for the creation of Corn Palace. The Chamber of Commerce of Mitchell, South Dakota, finally accepted his idea, and corn planters in neighboring Iowa became extremely distraught and angry that they had missed out on Dickinson’s vision. Within months, corn planters from around the state gathered at what is now known as the Great Iowa Corn Caucus.
Those who assembled discussed a response to Mitchell’s plan to build Dickinson’s fortress of corn, and they debated how they could select politicians in the future who would not let such lofty endeavors slip through their hands. The Great Iowa Corn Caucus eventually into the modern-day Iowa Caucus.
Years later, Dickinson wrote his now-classic poem “So, Wilt thou vote again?” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “So, Will thou toss again?” (below on the right).
Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed (at her request), and a lover of corn, advocated for years for the creation of Corn Palace. The Chamber of Commerce of Mitchell, South Dakota, finally accepted his idea, and corn planters in neighboring Iowa became extremely distraught and angry that they had missed out on Dickinson’s vision. Within months, corn planters from around the state gathered at what is now known as the Great Iowa Corn Caucus.
Those who assembled discussed a response to Mitchell’s plan to build Dickinson’s fortress of corn, and they debated how they could select politicians in the future who would not let such lofty endeavors slip through their hands. The Great Iowa Corn Caucus eventually into the modern-day Iowa Caucus.
Years later, Dickinson wrote his now-classic poem “So, Wilt thou vote again?” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “So, Will thou toss again?” (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: So, Wilt thou vote again? Just where people gather Hundreds have met indeed – To see who’ll win and all – Cast a breathless ballot Linger to record thee – Imps in eager Caucus Battle for my Soul! | By Emily Dickinson: Soul, Wilt thou toss again? By just such a hazard Hundreds have lost indeed -- But tens have won an all -- Angel's breathless ballot Lingers to record thee -- Imps in eager Caucus Raffle for my Soul! |
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