The Indianapolis journal., 1902-02-28

one of the few that have made a success
on the stage as well as in type.
OF all the poets now living in America the
first IN point of popularity Is James Whit
comb Riley. Since the appearance of his
first book OF verse in the "HOOSier" dia-
lect. THE Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven
More Poems" he has produced a dozen
volumes. the least widely circulated of
which has probably reached an audience
that almost any other poet of the day
would have been glad to reach with the
most popular of his writings. Mr.. Riley
was born and brought I'D at Greenfield,
Ind, and since he became famous has made
his home in Indianapolis.
Though not a native of Indiana. Mrs.
Mary Hartwell CatherwoOd, author of the
loudly trumpeted "Lazarre' and of an ex-
cellent early story; The Romance of Dol
lard" is thoroughly identified with the
State by virtue of her long residence with
in its borders.
Then there are the gglestons-Edward
and George Cary-the former distinguished
now as an historical writer. but widely
known in the first instance as the author
OF those strong novels. The Hoosier
the latter a veteran journalist. who has
developed a remarkable capacity for turn
ing out stirring tales OF adventure. 1t was
the village of Vevay, Ind that gave these
stalwart brothers to the world.
From his birthplace near Liberty. Ind,
Joaquin Miller, The Poet of the Sierras,"
migrated in childhood to the scene of his
future achievements as verse writer; and
II was from Dearborn county, Indiana, that
John James Platt, the poet, started out
at the age of nine; TO see what the rest
OF the world was like.
John Hay, whose pike County Ballads"
and other poems. and "Castilian Days
and other prose. show the touch of the art
ist. has sunk into literary inactivity under
pressure of the cares of state, though even
his semi-officiaI addresses are marked by
q distinctively literary finish. The quality
of the little he has produced is such, how
ever, as to make Salem, Ind, where he
was born. a potential literary shrine.
The late President Harrison. whose book
on This Country of Ours showed a very
respectable degree of literary skill. was an
Indiana man through and through.
II may be worth recalling. by the way
that the inspiring and once popular song.
paddle Your Own Canoe" was composed
while the author. Mrs. Bolton, was sewing
and fitting the 1irst carpets for the old
Statehouse OF Indiana.
The author OF all others who has most in
separately connected his name and fame
with that OF the State itself is Booth Tark-
ington. the success of whose Gentleman
from Indiana" created an audience in ad-
vance for the even more prosperous Mon
sieur Beaucaire'-than which nothing
more radically dissociated from Indiana
could be readily conceived.
Mr.. Harrington spends much OF his time
in Indianapolis. but George Ade whose
Fables in Slang have put him i'm the
first rank OF American humorists of the
day. has intimated, | believe since Chicago
became his home. that Indiana is an ex-
cellent State Ito come from" His fellow
statesman. Robert Underwood Johnson. the
poet. might not agree with this equivocaI
sentiment though he has become so much
of New Yorker himself that that promis-
ing young novelist. his son, is not to be
credited TO Indiana, even by the accident
of birth
II any one having literary productivity
IN mind should ask. What is the matter
with Indiana?" pretty loud choral as
surance Of her rectitude might confidently
be listened for Just how much OF her
present prominence is due TO the aggressive
methods OF local publishing house / shall
not attempt TO determine The fact re-
mains that an extraordinary proportion
OF the more widely read authors of the
day halls from and harks back to the
HOosier State.