For what it's worth, the New York Public Library has online images of the cover and the first page of the sheet music of SWEET NOLA SHANNON.

The only lyrics I can read are these:

1. In a shady dell by a flowing stream,…

2. Ev'ry Sunday night at the hour of eight,…

At least, it confirms that the author is W. R. Williams and the copyright date is 1897.

There is an interesting note at the bottom of the cover:

"Supplement of the St. Louis Star Sunday Sept 17th 1899 pages 5-8."

Did newspapers once include sheet music? I didn't know that. If it was printed on newsprint, that would explain why it hasn't held up well, and not many copies have survived.