The copyright status of the text depends largely on when it was first published in the US. Currently, anything published before 1923 is probably in the public domain. Works that were published before 1978 are likely in copyright for 95 years. Works published after January 1, 1978 are in copyright for the life of the writer plus 70 years. For a more detailed analysis of copyright status, please see this Cornell resource on Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States.
If the work was never published, permission must be obtained in writing to use the work from the author’s heirs or estate. If the work was published, the publisher is most likely the copyright holder, and permission must be sought from them.