The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1906-03-16
Paul L, Dunbar.
Comment from the Denver Post on
this Remarkable Genius.

Dunbar, the Negro poet, died at his
home here this afternoon of consump-
ton. For three years he had been ser
iously i'll, and for year critically ill,
but he kept at his work intermittently
and wrote his last poem for his Christ
mas book, "Howdy, Howdy, Howdy,"
just before Christmas.
Mr.. Dunbar was born in Dayton, June
q, 1872, and was first newsboy, and
then an elevator boy, and in his ups and
downs for living practiced writing.
His first poem was written when he
was writing for the Steele High School
in 1891. His first Of a total of 21 books
was coax and Ivy"
His poem best known was "When
Malindy Sings" which was written to
his mother whose name is Malinda.
Mr.. Dunbar is survived by his mother,
his wife and two half brothers, who re-
side in Chicago. He will be buried in
Woodland cemetery, this city, next
week, many persons of note being ex-
pected to attend.
The deceased was the first poet to
arise out of the African race in Amer
lea, and his status among the literary
men of the East is more than suffi-
cient answer to the argument of the
ignorant bigOt who is ever pestering the
world with queries as to What we shall
do with the race question ?" Paul Dun
bars books and poetry will tell if he
consults them-the question will settle
itself if he will only let the Negro enjoy
the opportunities opened up to him by
the abolition of slavery in the United
States. He was born "a years ago in
Dayton, o., and was educated in the
public schools of that town. Thirteen
years ago he was an elevator boy in a
big building in Dayton, and, like most
of his race, he seemed to be marked for
a life of uneventful toll. Yet since
that time he published many books,
contributed to the best magazines and
newspapers, established solid reputa-
tiOn and recited his verses to many au-
diences of the highest culture. AT 25,
with the encouraging plaudits of his
first success ringing in his ears he went
abroad for new conquests. In England
Mr.. Dunbar was received by the most
highly cultured and aristocratic people
III the land, because he had genius-the
key that unlocks ali doors that bar Tine
way to fashionable or cultivated soci-
ety abroad.
The love of rhythm that character
ICES the Negro manifested itself early
in young Dunbar. Like Pope he listed
lin numbers. His father died when
Paul was lad of IL, and the future
poet contributed to the support Of his
widowed mother and his brothers and
sisters with what he earned as news
boy. Between times he moved lawns,
ran upon errands, was faithful, kind
and gentle. His first verses, childish,
it is true, but of good promise, were
written on the fyleaf of an old spelling
book, and were entitled "An Eastern
Hymn" At IA, he had already broken
Into print, and a few of his poems and
shorts stories had been published in the
Dayton Herald and in other local news
papers.
His small successes gratiiied his
mother beyond expression. She believ-
ed that her son had great future in
store for him, and encouraged by her,
he wrote a story in Western dialect
which he called "The Tenderfoot" The
story was copied widely. 1t was the
first literary production of its kind to
Ibe published from the pen of Negro
Many other stories were sold by Dun
bar, and the way began to grow brighter
for the struggling author. Dunbar at
tracted the attention of Fred Douglass
and the colored statesman looked him
. up. BY this time the public began to
become interested in the personality of
the young Ohioan and his future was
assured. lie secured admission to the
highest literary circles everywhere and
. became a popular lecturer, while his
revenue from his writings steadily
increased.
| HIS SONG OF DEATH.
D Storm and strife and stress
Lost in a wilderness
Cropping to find way
Forth to the baunts of day.
Sudden a vista peeps
; Out of the tangled deeps;
5 Only point-the ray
But at the end is day.
Dark is the dawn and chill,
Daylight is on the hill,
E Night is the lifting breath,
Day rides the hills of death.