The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-16
CONAN DOYLE In TOWN
THE AUTHOR LECTURES ABOUT HIM.
SELF AND HIS BOOKS.
Tells OF His Friend Sherlock Holmes
James Whftcomb Riley's
Opinion of Doyle.

DR.. A. Conan Doyle, author and lecturer,
creator and executioner OF the famous de-
t~ective, Sherlock Holmes" came TO In
dianapolis yesterday afternoon. DR.. Doyle
arrived from Chicago at $50 o'clock. He
was welcomed at the Union Station by a
reception committee from the Montefore
Society, before which organization he lee
tured last night. DR.. Doyle is accompanied
by his brother, w. Hay Doyle, of Plymouth.
England. Both gentlemen alighted from a
carriage at the Denison Hotel, walked
briskly back to the desk and deposited two
tan-colored valises with the air OF the
thrifty American drummer" The famous
author grasped the pen and wrote "a
Conan Doyle. London. Eng," across the
register. One Of the first men to step up to
the desk after DR.. Doyle had inscribed his
name was James Whitcomb Riley. and a
moment later the Hoosier poet had res
cued the distinguished Briton from the fate
prepared for him by two or three newspa
per reporters. The meeting between the
American poet and the English story
writer was most happily timed and the re-
mainder of the afternoon was devoted to a
delightful interchange of literary gossip
DIR. Doyle's pleasing personality strikes
one at the first meeting. His powerful
frame stand fully six feet. He has the
florld face Of the Briton and the blue eye
and light hair of the Scotchman. The
warm, almost crushing grasp Of his hand
is distinctly American. His attire is of the
fashionable American cut, although his
trousers are sadly lacking in the crease that
marks the pantaioon of the American swell.
DR.. Doyle speaks rapidly, and with the &C
cent OF the Scotchman. He discusses any
topic that may present itself in a light,
breezy way, but does not grow satiricaL
He is dignified, polite and unaffected in
manner at all times. He likes America and
the people of this country, and although he
touched the shores OF the new world less
than a month ago, has amassed a pro-
digious amount of knowledge relative to the
government and the people.
The American people are he
said, land 1 am delighted with everything
1 have seen. New York and Chicago are
wonderful cities, and the hunting in the
Adirondack mountains is enjoyable. This
is my first trip to America, but / expect to
come again, when my family will accom-
DR.. Doyle does not c~riticise the Ameri-
can people, and draws no comparison when
speaking of his own country. He says that
he has not yet seen enough to express mis-
opinions as to customs. He does not talk
about himself unless his interviewer in
Il snail be pleased to talk Of anything
you propose" he continued. II know the
character of the American reporter, /
think, and If there is anything you want to
know I will help you if it is possible"
Sherlock Holmes? Well, he is dead. I
am pleased to know that the American peo-
pie regret the demise of my detective, but
Sherlock Holmes will never appear again.
It is quite natural, / think. that he should
die, for you know we must all reach that
state at some time"
II have no definite literary plans in view
at this time" the author said, when asked
as to his future. For some time / have
been engaged in dramatic work. Henry
Irving is now producing my play, The Fall
of Waterloo in London. / cannot say
positively that the piece will be produced In
America, although / think il probable that
Mr.. Irving will come over here again. /
like dramatic work very much, and shall
continue in that line"
DR.. Doyle is an intense admirer Of Charles
Dickens, and during his life has been a
close student of that authors work. II
have been greatly influenced by Dickens in
my work." he said. Il think in fact, that
nearly every author who takes up fiction
in these modern days is animated to a GER
tain extent by the influence of Charles
Dickens" DR.. Doyle was greatly pleased
at his accidentally meeting James Whit
comb Riley. The two authors enjoyed an
hour in the parlor of the hotel during the
afternoon and dined together at 6 o'clock.