The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-09
EDGAR ALLAN POE

the university, in which he exonerates
him from the excuses ascribed to him
by Griswold. one of his biographers,
and shows that he graduated In two
of the modern languages and on some
other tickets Mr.. Wertenbaker was
accustomed to relate an account OF
Poe's last night at the university. and
ii is one of the two incidents which l
propose to publish.
The session that Poe was at the
university was that Of 1885. the
year the university was first opened
to students. In the early years OF the
institution the vacations were In the
winter. the idea being that the stu
dents from far Southern States would
enjoy their visits home more in the
winter than in the sultry summer
months Mr.. Wertenbakers story Ia
that the last day of the session was
an extremely cold one. the ground be-
ing covered with an icy sleet and Poe
invited him to spend the early part
of the night at his room on the West
Range. Poe's wood had been all con-
sumed and he was at loss for COM
Portable fire to entertain his guest. In
this extremity he took hatchst and
deliberately cut up for fire wood hts
writing table. 1t was his property.
the students being required TO fur.
nish their own rooms, and as he did
not expect to return the next session
he concluded that as he would have
no further use for the table the best
expedient for keeping up the fire waa
to make fuel of IT. sand so these two
young friends had a fine time before
a rousing fire made of the future
poets writing table.
The other incident was told to me
by the late John X. Thompson, who
at the time of the occurrence, ls4s,
was proprietor and editor of The
southern Literary Messenger in Rich
mond. Va. He told me that one morn
ing about 10 o'clock a friend came to
the editorial room of the Messenger.
in the building near the foot of Cap
ftol Square, and told him that Edgar
Poe was in "a condition of intoxica-
ton down at Rockets and needed thu
attention of friends. Thompson was
Poe's best friend in Richmond, the
latter having frequently paid the des-
titute and often needy man OF genius
for contributions TO the Messenger.
Thompson's interest and sympathy
were at once aroused. and securing "A
hack he went down to Rockets. the
wharf for steamboats, and vessels that
piled the James. There ne found Poe
asleep on a table in a harreom, in \
state of beastly intoxication. Waking
him up. which he did with some diff
Guilty. ana taking him In the hack, he
brought him 70 his office. 1t was now
near / 2 O'Clock. He asked Poe II he
had had any breakfast mo, l have
not eaten anything in two days" re-
piled Poe. Well said Thompson, a
warm breakfast will do you good. and
started with him TO restaurant On
the way he said to Poe, that as he
was just getting off a spree he prob
ably needed q drink to straishten him
out. Indeed do, replied Poe. Thomp-
son took him TO a harroom and the
barkeeper set bottle of whiskey on
the counter. Poe took up a glass
not small glass, such as is now used
in the barrooms, but an ordinary din
ner glass, or tumbier. that holds more
than half pint--indeed. almost q
pint, and filling IL to the brim without
a drop of water, drank 1t down with
out taking the glass from his mouth
They went to the restaurant. where
warm breakfast of hot rolls. beef
steak. butter and coffee were set be-
fore Poe and rayenously devoured
This is the story as told to me by
Thompson. L.. S. MAYRE.
Fharloftesyitte Va