Item consists of a poem titled It Beats the Devil, compiled by the Mount Vernon Local of the United Farmers of Alberta at Three Hills, Alberta, and thought to be written by UFA member William Arthur Milan.
Administrative History
W. Arthur (Art) Milan was a member of the Mt. Vernon U.F.A. credited with compiling the poem, It Beats The Devil. While there is no proof that Arthur penned this poem, its meter, style, vocabulary and perspective are manifested in his collective work. It Beats The Devil depicts a turning point in Alberta's political history, ushering in the U.F.A. as the provincial government 1921- 1935. Part 1 of It Beats The Devil was recited by Three Hills resident, N.F. McKinley, at the U.F.A. 1923 Annual Conference. At that time, print copies of the poem could be purchased though the U.F.A. central office for 25 cents (information provided by the Milan family).
Creator
U.F.A. Mount Vernon Local
Subjects
Poetry
Names
Milan, W. Arthur
Mt. Vernon U.F.A.
Places
Three Hills
Accession Number
UF 2022.003.01
Date
[1923?]
Notes
Two print copies of the poem were included in W. Arthur Milan's personal collection. The second copy, with edits by W. Arthur Milan, has been kept with the collection of W. Arthur Milan works at the Provincial Archives of Alberta, Edmonton.