I don't know who actually wrote the first two-three verses of the song but I do know that many of the verses, including that which is in question were penned by A.P. Carter. The entire song is copyrighted in his name. However, the Carter Family were not the first ones to record the song. Uncle Dave Macon, I believe was the first in 1925. Then came the Carter Family in 1927 with their rendition, the most memorable. Another good version comes from Asher Sizemore and Little Jimmie, stars of the Grand Ole Opry in the early thirties. My pick is the Carters.