With some minor differences, the version in the DT is the same as that recorded by Bradley Kincaid in the 1930s. This is now available on CD: Bradley Kincaid 'Mountain Songs & Old-Time Songs' Old Homestead OHCD 4107.The Levy site gives sheet music published in New York in 1915 - words by Benj. Hapgood Burt and Roy Atwell and music by Silvio Hein. The cover sheet indicates it was a hit from the operetta 'Alone At Last'. A note to the DT entry indicates an 1890s origin - is that when operetta was performed?
--Stewie.