The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-02-04
OUR
MAN OF LETTERS
q. Henry (Sidney Porter Heads the
List OF North Carolina
Writer'S
By ARCHIBALD HENDERSON.

Ger the aTrestlHB Mic o
Stones doubleday, Page and Co.
Garden City, N. W, calls striking at
tention TO the remarkable career OF
North Carolina's famous son. His
works now appear in three separate
forms. First, there is the form to
which the average buyer is accustom-
ed-with the bindings OF solid reds,
greens, and browns. Second. there is
the newer edition in limp leather,
for the lover Of o.. Henry who wishes
To have his work handy In a uniform
binding. Third, there is the magni-
hcent Manuscript Edition Of his
works, exceedingly costly, illustrated
lavfshly and interleaved with auto
graph letters; pages OF the orlglnal
manuscripts of O. Henry's stories.
etc, etc. 1t was one of this last set,
In "A special binding, of great elegance,
which was recently presented by Mr..
Walter IL. Page, at the last meeting OF
the State Literary and Historical AS
ISOLATION, as initial nucleus for the
collection Of literary memorials. re-
commended by the writer, for the new
Hall of History at Raleigh. This
magnificent gift serves tho double
purpose Of calling the attention OF
The State to .. Henry as writer, and
to the desirability OF erecting some
form OF permanent memorial TO this
brilliant son of North Carolina.
The new volume was carefully
edited by the late Harry Peyton
Stcger, of Texas, who Was connected
with the firm of Doubleday. Page and
Company. For years, Mr.. Steger had
been industriously engaged in collect
}ng all extant data relating to ..
Henry. The present volume is one or
the memorials to Mr.. Steger's energy.
In course Of time there will doubtless
be published a volume, biographical
Aud rnn1iniSnnnfi4 nf II ITanrA tn
gether with a collection Of letters and
other documents which Mr.. Steger
unearthed. His loving labor promises
to bear fruit In q volume which will
be of priceless value to all admirers
of O.. Henry, and his work.
For years, it was exceedingly dig
hCult to learn even the most meagre
details about O. Henry. Numerous
interviewers who sought out O.. Henry
in person were turned back in dis
appointment by his resolute refusal
20 yield to their Importantly. When
nc was approached by the editor Of
Who's Who i'm America. which prints
but the barest skeleton of a career. o.
Henry replied that there had been
nothing In his life which could inter
est the public.
wen have to rely then on such in
formation az we can gather from
other sources" replied the editor OF
who's WHO, Wltn the lNplc1tlCn Oh
threat and warning.
You're WELCOMED" replied O
Henry, CURLY.
T~hereupon, he. editor. Of Who's
Who gathered from perfectly un-
trustworthy sources the following err
roneOus and absurd skeleton-sketch
which duly appeared in that publica.
ton:
Henry, O., open name Of Sydnc,
Porter.) author; born in Texas; IA.
been cowboy. sheep herder. merchant
miner. druggist, and extensive travel
Ter. Author: 'Cabbages and Kings,
1905; The -Four Million 1906; 'Th,
the West 1907. Contributor to lead
ing magazines n daily and Sunda,
newspapers"
In the first authentic interview
ever %given,out by William Sidney (no
Sydney Porter. ne frankly said:-
"A lot OF stories have been printe'
about me. and none Of them are true
It's been said that l was once a cattl
thief. The nearest l ever got to tina
distinction was going down on
friends anc to learn the cattle-rais
Ing business Another story is tha
I've been a miner. 1 never saw
mine in my lie. Then there's tn
yarn that l WAS a tintype artist. S
Tar as this Is concerned. I must &C
NIT that / once had a tintype take
with my arm draped gracefully ovs
q lady's shoulder.
'Thcn there Is that Internal new!
paper over in Pittsburg hat printe
the story that when I first began
write, l blew into his Office. lookin
Hike a tramp. offered manuscripts II
sale, and before blowing out agaj
borrowed a dollar. That story is 3
embroidered fiji Why, i was the be
dressed man in the office unless
WAS the editor, whose shoes were
little more pointed than mine
1T was a year after the story W,
printed before / saw it. Then / ma,
a special trip over to Pittsburg.
sent in my car to the editor.
Sir said l when I at last foul
myself face to face with this libel
OF my solvency; Sir, 1 have cor
over to lick you.'
But wasn't 1t q bully good story
asked the editor.
Il admitted that Il was. ard i
stead OF licking him We went out a
lei together.