The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-17
SAMUEL RICHARDS, THE ARTIST.

The death of Samuel Richards, at Denver,
Col, Nov. 3d. closed the earthly career of
one of Americas best known artists. He
was born April %, 1852 in Spencer. Ind,
where in the SMALL academy formerly sit
uated in the eastern part of town, he re-
ceived his education. Richardss earliest as
piration was to be an artist. Almost every
boyish plan and act were intended to carry
him nearer the realization of his life's ambi-
ton. He reveled in boyish sports, his dis
position was cheerful, aud he exhibited
towards his playmates that rare kindness
and consideration which, continuing through
his life won to himself so many enduring
friendships.
His first pencil sketches were on almost
every subject in nature which met his eye.
Repairing generally with genial COM
panion, to some favorte rustic haunt he
would sketch the landscape spread out
around him until darkness compelled him
to cease. Possessed of an independent
spirit, he early sought employment and on
approaching manhood proved himself a
valued clerk in the large general store of
Allison Brothers, the wealthy merchants of
that day. There his friends often found
amusement in his caricatures of events and
quaint characters in the village and vicn-
ity. His ability to create was on one occa-
sion disclosed in a drawing of Mary and the
Mother at the tomb of Jesus.
Yet at times he was not certain of the
exact nature of his inspiration. While
lodging over the store in which he clerkcd
he concluded that he possessed the elements
of poet. Frequently toilng on the compo-
sition of his verses till midnight, he would
then arouse his roommate, Jethro C. Gull
mer, now known as the author of some very
exquisite verses, who would act as audi
ence and critic. Richards finally sent his
poetry to Henry W. Longfellow, request
ing his judgment on its merits The poet
replied in a kind, but frank, letter, which
dissuaded him from further serious at
tempts to write in verse. Little did the
poet know of the luster soon to be added
to his "Evangeline" by the painters Evan
geline." The young mans poetic genius
was destined to find it's free and correct
expression on the canvas instead of on
parchment. He procured, at price which
must have caused him great self-denial, "a
copy Of Chapmans American Drawing
Book. 1t is probable that the work first
opened up to him the great possibilities in
his life and fired his slumbering genius
Also, the idyllc beauty of his natural sur
roundings must have touched his soul with
its sweet repose which he so perfectly
transferred to the canvas. At length he
began to put paint on his sketches. Later
he resigned his clerkship and devoted him
self to painting and the violin.
Desiring better facilities for pursuing his
art, he soon went to indianapolis, where he
worked for a time under the direction Of
Prof. Theodore Leitz. Returning home he
opened again his studio, and did much mer-
itorious work in portrait painting. But the
financial results being unsatisfactory, he
again left Spencer, moving to Franklin,
Ind. There financial fortune, as before.
evaded him, but he met with rarer fort
une, his future wife, Miss Louise Parks.
a highly talented woman, daughter of a
Baptist minister. in prosperous circum-
stances. Directly after their marriage they
became residents of Anderson, Ind While
at Franklin Richards was initiated into
the Greek letter society of Phi Delta Theta.
which had chapter In Franklin College.
His residence at Anderson was marked by
his acquaintance with James Whtcomb
Riley the Hoosier poet, then a sign painter.
The two, similarly engaged I'm the struggle
for fame, there formed lasting friendship.
Thus far he had supported himself by his
art, and for the most part had prosecuted
his studies unaided. He still had faith I'm
his ultimate success. But believing that
the highest excellence could not be real
lied on this side of the ocean, remote from