The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-19
FRIENDS REVIEW
LIFE AND WORKS
OF COL0RED POET
Hold Celebration on Anniver-
sary of the Birth of the
Late Pawl Lawrence Dun
bar, Former Richmondite.
MARY FRAME SELBY
TELLS OF STRUGGLES

To those who merely had heard the
name of the late Paul Lawrence Dun
bar, negro poet, author. lecturer and
patriot and those who cherished men,
cries OF him, the birthday anniversary
celebration held by the Colored Citi-
zens' Union last night, in the colored
Masonic hall was one of true inspira-
tion. About two hundred and fifty
colored men and women attended the
anniversary.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar was at one
time Richmond resident. Mrs. Mary
Selby, one of Richmond's charity
workers, told of how she had heard
of his talent and had brought him
from Dayton to her home, much
against criticism of neighbors. This
was when he was still in his teens
While in Richmond Dunbar met Edgar
Tiff. Judge Abbott. Mrs. Jenkinson
and MRS. Jordan, all Of whom regard
cd his as a boy with exceptional tai
ent.
1t was through the influence of his
Richmond friends that he first receiv-
cd the idea of publishing his poems.
publisher and within few months his
Tiff Knew Dunbar.
Edgar Tiff read paper entitled
'Dunbar's Rank Among the American
Poets.' in which he said that in these
latter days when we were apt to judge
poetry with the same rules and iron
clad restrictions as we do horses and
cattle we lose sight of the inspiration
a side of the poems. Dunbar's poems
embodied the poets inspiration with
the melody of the southern planta-
ton.
u knew Paul Lawrence Dunbar in
1892 when he was brought into my
store by Mrs. Selby," remarked Mr..
Tiff. and my first impression of the
boy was that he was of exceptional
talent. I again met him at the World
Fair in Chicago, where he was en-
ployed in the Hayti exhibit. l re-
member he spoke French and one day
told me that a woman with whom
he was talking while she was visiting
tho Hayti exhibit remarked to Dun
bar that the colored men of the South
were more intelligent than those of
TIE north. The woman was at that
time under the impression that Dun
bar was from the southern island
Judge Abbott. who despite his ad
celebration said that he met Dunbar
in the same year as Mr.. Tiff. He
came over to my office with Mrs. Sci
by Years after when he was EN-
ployed in the Congressional Library in
Washington I held correspondence
with him. Although Dunbar was a
cclored man the hand Of genius, which
is no reSpectOr of persons, descended
upon him and he became shining
light for the black race"
Was At Worlds Fair.
The life of Paul Lawrence Dunba:
was reviewed by Roy Brown, a stu
dent at the Richmond high school
Dunbar was born in Dayton, O., March
IS, 1872. He attended the high schoo
il that city, became editor of the
school paper and one of the best stu
dents. While working as an elevator
boy he wrote many poems and stud
led. In 1898 Dunbar obtained employ
ment at the Chicago World Fair and
together with his mother, stayed al
Chicago during the fair.
After the fair closed Dunbar return
cd to Dayton. Within few months
he was on the lecture platform ant
for the next five years was travelling
throughout the United States and If
England. He wrote three books dur
ing this period Upon returning tC
the United States in 1900 he receiv
cd an appointment in the Compression
nj Library. He also was asked to par
'icipate as All aide in the Presiden
Mckinley inaugural parade with the
rank OF Colonel Later because O
failing health he returned to Dayton
He died in 1905.
Miss Anna Brown read a poem dedi
Gated to Mrs. Selby and his Richmond
friends. Dunbar also dedicated tw,
Of his poems to Judge Abbott, and on
Zach 10 Mr.. Tiff and Mrs. Isaac Jenk
inson.
\ quartet consisting of Otis Hunt
cr. Clifford Stay Burton Howard AM
Fay Arnold, sang two selections
Lead Kindly Light" and anothe
favorite of the late poet Otis Hunte
sang solo 90 Eyes that are Weary
Miss Naomi Hunter accompanied hin
on the piano. Miss Emma Howar
played piano solo. The program cor
Guided with benediction by the Re,
MIR. Overflow
Best Sweet Pea Seeds. On,