The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-07
INDIANA HONORED
THE HOOSIER POET
Whole State Observed James Whitcomh
Riley's Birthday by Proclamation
Issued by Governor Ralston.

4
Issued by Governor RaIston.
indianapolis, Ind, Oct. 7.--Jame
Whitcomb Riley's ed birthday came to
day, and, just to make it more me
morable than any that has preceded it
the entire state joined him in celebrating
it.
This year was picked for honoring tn,
poet because the citizens of Indians
wished to pay him tribute while he
would be fully able to take part in and
enjoy it. In addition to the wet Of
years, Mr.. Riley has felt the burden OF
i'll health. He has reached that season
of his life "when the frost is on Vle
punkin', and the folders in the shock, .
and the state of his birth and lifelong
| residence felt that it didn't want to de-
lay longer the complete and formal ex-
preston of its love for him.
| Gov. Samuel M. Rasston recently is
sued proclamation asking every com
muDity in the state to set aside the day
| for the honoring of '1ndana's most be-
loved citizen" His plan was to have
| business suspended as much as possible.
The proclamation is being generally OBJ
served in every city, town and village
from Indianapolis down to Greenfield,
where Mr.. Riley was born, and Garlic
ton, the tiny hamlet, under the name of
Talbot, the praise of which the poet
sang with the lines:
"You kin boast about yer cities, and
their Study growth and size,
And brag about yer county-seats, and
business enterprise,
And railroads. and factories, and all
SIGH foolery--
But the little town o. Tailholt is big
enough fer mel"
Greenfield took particular interest in
the celebration. Many of its older in
habitants remembered James Whitcomb
Riley as a little boy, unknown to the
world except as the son of Capt. Reuben
Riley, highly respected citizen. Also
it recalled that it is situated on the
banks of the Brandywine, the little
stream whose joys the poet chronicled in
9Th Old Swimmin' Hole" and of which
he had said, that, wandering up and
down it, he chad more fun to the square
inch, than ever anywhere"
Governor Ralston, Mayor Joseph F.
Bell, Charles Warren Fairbanks. Mere |
dith Nicholson and George AIDE had
charge of the celebration in indianapolis. |
In order to lend nation wide interest to |
it, they invited celebrated persons from
all over the country TO attend. Many |
accepted
William Allen White came from En-.
poria, Kan, DIR. John II. Finley and Col
George Harvey from New York, Ellery
Sedgwich from Boston and Young +. AL
lison from Louisville, KY, to help honor
Mr.. Riley.
The list of Indiana citizens taking
part in the celebration is big. In addi-
ton TO the members OF the committee
Of arrangements, there were former SEN
ator Albert J. Beverage, Senator Kern,
yice-President Marshall and others.
The program of the day called for an
in local theatre in the
afternoon and banquet at which Mr..
Riley was TO be the guest OF honor in
the evening. IL was expected that the
poet would read a new poem at the ban
luet.
At the entertainment, several of Mr..
Riley's poems, including "The Raggedy
Man" and Little 0rphant Annie" were
yet TO music by Mr.. Ward. Stephens
Dancers from Anna Psvlowa's company
a number of the verses.
Hundreds who had honad 20 attond J
he banquet this evening will be disap.
'ointed. The committee in charge have
,een compelled TO reject scores of APP
'eals for accommodations, as there are
eats for but 400. Former Vice -Presi.
ent Charles w. Fairbanks viii be toast
Master.
The coming of his birthday in October
as a peculiar happiness for Mr.. Riley,
e said the other day. II is his favorite
month, as he attests in his poem, "old n
,ctober." In il he says; In
Il love old October so. &
can't bear 10 see her GO v
Scms TO me like losin' some 4
Old home relative er chum-
Pears like sorto' settin' BY
Some old friend at sigh by sigh
Was a-passin' out O. sight
Into eyerlastin' night"
James Whitcomb Riley was born at
reenheld, Indiana October :, 1883, the
IN Of Captain Reuben A. Riley aud
lizabeth Riley. He first began con
ributions 20 Indiana papers in ls73
IL dialect poems brought him his great.