Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-29

AND HIS LIFE IN THE CITY OF
RICHMOND
From Virginia Point of view-His
Early Environments-som Errors
Observation-Disclosures of His Child
hood-Associations
(For the Dispatch.)

the charity Of the world. But little is
known of the history and career OF
Elizabeth Arnold but that little shows
that she was a favorite on the Ameri-
can stage from Boston to Charleston,
s. c. The scant memorials OF her seem
to show also that, in addition TO pro-
fessional success. her personal qualities
those who knew her.
After the early death Of her first hus-
band. the young widow won the heart
OF David Poe, Jr., TO whom she was
married In 1896; and thus the obscure
actress Of the early American stage has
become immortal as the mother Of the
greatest literary genius of his country.
The history of David Poe, the young
husband and father, is almost as meagre
as that OF his wife. Born in Maryland,
and rather wild in his early days, he
had given up the study Of law ana
adopted the career Of an actor, for
which he seems to have some natural
talent. Whatever may have been his
prospects for distinction In the annals
Of the stage can be but matter of con-
lecture, since an early death closed his
career. 1t is even uncertain whether he
died before, or survived, his wife, and
his name Is now known only as the
father of his famous son.
OF this marriage of David and Eliza
beth Arnold Poe three children were
born-William, Resale, and Edgar. 1t
was generally agreed and settled that
Edgar was born January 10, 1909, in Bos-
ton, where his parents were then play
ing an engagement.
OF the children thus left destitute and
frendless by the death of the mother,
the Oldest, William, was cared for by
his relatives in Maryland. The other
two found homes, and were adopted by
the charity of two good women in Rich
mond, where Miss Jane Mackenzie took
Resale to her home and Edgar be-
came the object Of the care and af-
lection of Mrs. John Allan, the young,
chiIdless wife of Scotch merchant, Mr..
John Allan, whose name is so intimate
ly associated with Poe's early history,
had emigrated from Scotland some years
before, and settled in Richmond, where
he married Miss Valentine.
The credit of Poe's adoption is gene
rally attributed to the within Of a rich
man, who taking a fancy TO the beau
tiful young waif, admitted him to his
family and gave him his name. AS a
matter OF fact, Mr.. Allan was then far
from being rich man. He was a mer-
chant, living up stairs over his store,
as was then very common, and trading
with the farmers who came to Rich
mond with their crops of tobacco and
other produce. The store and residence
were on Fourteenth street, adjoining
Byrd's tobacco warehouse. one of the IA
nous inspection depots of the great sta
pie The site of the warehouse and
store was almost on the outskirts OF the
town at that day. but most convenient
ly located TO catch the caravans or
mountain wagons that came in over the
Broad-Street road and down Governor
street TO the warehouse. Mr.. Allan
doubtless made a comfortable living
of prncely wealth, 10 which young
ward might look with expectation or
inheritance, and Of livered servants to
attend to his ponies and dogs, are but
creations of fancies sometimes faint
ed with snobbery. Mr.. Allan's wealth
came to him many years afterwards,
and probably most of IL by Inheritance.
Such as it was, even in his richest days,
its amount would be but a bagatelle to
many of the millionaires of to-day.
The calamity of the Richmond Thea
tire fire, which occurred about two
weeks after the death Of Mrs. Poe, pro-
foundIy stirred public sentiment, not
only in Richmond, but throughout the
State and the whole country. In she
absence of authentic details as to Poe's
adoption by the Alans, it is natural TO
suppose that, on some information of
the death OF the actress and the des-
titution Of the orphan children, Mrs. AL
Ian should interest herself about them;
and that the sight Of that beautiful.
friendless boy should kindle in her wo-
manly heart a wish to take him to her
self for his protection, and as the COM
fort and joy of her childless home. 1t
was but natural that the young wifes
inclination prevailed. and that she
should overcome the possible, prudent
objections of her business-like husband
jealous about the adoption Of the child
Of unknown parents. Probably, too, the
charm and winsomeness of such boy
aided the wife's pleading, ana made its
impression on the heart Of the unemo-
tional husband. The subsequent history
proves that Mr.. Allan became attached
to his young ward, to whom he gave
care and education.
If anything can substitute the natural
love Of mother 1t is probable that the
2-year-old Edgar found 1t in the home
Of which he now became the darling
and pride. Too young to have aught,
but dim memory of the real mother. and
Of the wandering, unsettled life to which
her profession condemned her, his home
was now fixed. and the formative, con-
trolling influences Of his life were at
work, making him a Virginian of his
time, as much as If he had been ma
tive TO the soil.
If the child is father to the man, then
the environment of early years must
be always taken into consid Grafton in
estimating the influences that mould his
character and largely determine career
and destiny in life. Though fate and
adverse fortune may bend the oocrse OF
life from its natural channel, yet in what
ever distant meanderings, the stl cam
will always bear trace of the soil that
tinged its head waters.
EARLY YEARS.
Edgar A. Poe's earliest conscious yeors,
when he first prattled in the Jap OF the !
generous woman who lad rescued him |
from restitution and given him her loving |
care were passed in the pain, unpreten-
tious home of a worthy merchant In the |
city of Richmond, then small provin- |
cial town. In this home, as far removed |
from the wants of poverty as from the |
luxury of wealth. was begun. at the age !
Of years. the training and education Of |
the future genius. There were spent /
the next four years of his child life in |
The home amusements OF childhood, or /
hardening his sturdy young limbs In adj
venturous climbing and exploration l
among the hills and gullies that diversi- !
fed and made picturesque the neighbour
hood OF his home. Nearly adjoining |
his home was the almost precipitous