The Mankato free press., 1909-01-22
Homage Paid to Edgar Allan Poe,
The Poet and Genius.
DEDICATE STATUE IN new YORK
Exercises Are Held IN Boston and
Baltimore; Romance OF Author,
Story OF His Mother.
Especial to The Free Press.1

Especial TO The Free Press.1
New York. Jan l9-The Edgar Allan
Poe centennial was observed in the
metropolis today by the dedication
of bronze statue i'm Poe Park, oppo-
site Fordham College, readings and
recitations from Poe's works in the
public schools in the Bronx, lectures
on the poet and his works in the pub
lie lecture courses and commemora-
tive exercises in New York University.
which is near the Fordham home OF
Poe.
Anniversary at Charlottesville.
Charlottesville, Va. Jan l9.-An in
ternational turn was given the Poe
centennial celebration at the Univer-
sity of Virginia today by the ad-
dress of DR. Alcee Fortier. of New Or
leans on Poe's influence on French
literature. and an address in English
hy Professor George Edward recently
Of Munich. Germany. on Poe's infu-
cnce on German literature. In addi-
ton TO these two speeches there were
Cont tributes both in prose and
poetry At this meeting the chairman
of the committee of arrangements, DIR.
Charles W. Kent presided. This even
inc the president of the university.
DR. f. 4. Alderman. will make brief
Introductory address and will then
prc,cnt to the audience Professor Bar
rett Wendell. of Harvard university.
well known i'm America and Europe as
an accomplished scholar and interesting
speaker.
Hundreds of admirers of Poe today
visited room No. Is, West Range
which has been transformed into Il
Poe museum. All of the available me-
mentoes of Poe are there collected
and will remain on view through the
balance of the week.
Boston Pays Tribune.
Boston, Jan. l9.-Although this city
was lampooned numerically by Edgar
Allan Poe, the literary elite of the
Hub today Joined in paying gracious
tribute to the memory of the great
poet on this, the Tooth anniversary
of his birth. Boston claims to be
the birthplace of Poe and although
this was denied by the poet himself,
who asserted that he arrived i'll this
world by the way of Baltimore, the
claim is still being made by many
citizens of this good old town which
Poe satirized under the name of Frog
pondum
Was a Son of Baltimore.
Baltimore. Jan. l9.-Baltimore has
been the birthplace of many men who
have attained international name and
fame. but of these many none oc
cupy so high place as Edgar Allan
Poe. I'm this Monumental City, where
the brilliant genius of American let
ters first saw the light of day and
where at last his melancholy spirit
gave up the long fight against ire
mendous odds, the centenary of hi'
birth is being fittingly observed todsA
The formal celebrations are the small
est part of the celebration. the larger
part being the spirit of loving remem-
brance which is present today in the
heart and brain of every true son of
Baltimore.
Today's observance was under the
auspices of the Poe Memorial asso-
citation, which was Incorporated last
year The faculty of Johns Hopkins
University participated in the plans
and addresses were made by some of
the leading literary lights of the land
The association plans to erect $780,
coo monument tot Poe in his city.
Romance of Poe.
Providence, X. l.. Jan I9-In con
nection with today's celebration of
the centenary of Edgar Allan Poe, a
famous portrait of Mrs Sarah Helen
Whitman and many documents of rare
interest bearing on her romance with
the great poet were presented to the
library of Brown University
John y. Arnold. the artist who ex.
ecuted the portrait many years ago,
and Mrs. Henry r. Chase of this city,
who is in possession of many of the
letters connected with Poe's wooing
of Mrs. Whitman are the donors of
the gifts to the Brown library.
At the time of his death i'm lS49, Poe
was engaged to be married to Mrs.
Whitman, wealthy widow of this city,
and who was year or two his senior.
1t was while he was on his way to
visit Mrs. Whitman that the author
died
The portrait of Mrs. Whitman was
painted by Mr. Arnold thirty nine yaers
ago, and was intended for this Provi-
dence Athenaeiim and was bequeathed
by her to that institution The por-
trait was paid for but never called for,
and has remained these years in Mr..
Arnold's studio, while another portrait
of Mrs. Whitman hangs in the Athe.
naeum.
The letters which Mrs. Chance will
present to the university were found
among Mrs. Wiitman's papers. which
two or three years ago came into Mrs.
Chances pOssessiOn These letters