Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-09
BIRTHDAY OF POET
RILEY CELEBRATED
Whole Nation Aids in Observing
Occasion Which is Made Happy
One for HOosier Singer.
GETS GIFTS AND MESSAGES

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. Oct. g.
James whitcomb Riley. aided By the
state and nation, yesterday cele-
brated one of the happiest birthdays
Of his life. He was the honor guest
at q theatrical performance in the
afternoon and tonight attended q
banquet given in his honor.
More than 1000 OF the poets
friends greeted him at the theater.
A number OF his poems had been set
to music and these we're interpreted
by dancers. Some OF the most prom
inent men in the world Of letters
spoke at the banquet.
Floods Os Congratulations.
The flood OF congratulations which has
poured In on Mr.. Riley for the last two
weeks reached It's crest today. There
we're CHEEKY messages from people In
every walk OF life. The poet evinoed a
keen delight at each OF these tributes.
A message OF conEratulation from Presi-
dent Wilson was received.
One OF the unique presents received at
shaped and colored like a pumpkin.
Crowning Il was a layer OF frostlng. II
ypifies Mr.. Riieys poem. ''The frost ia
on tn punkin'." A card bore the mes
sage that the donor desired 10 be known
only as ''old Aunt Mary"
Two blacksmiths sent gifts. One was
handmade silver horseshoe. The
other was a tiny hammer 70 which a
card was attached saying. This is big
enough for all the knocking YOU win
ever want 20 do"
Holiday Announced.
Governor Samuel M. Ralston recently
issued u proclamation asking every com
munity IN the state TO set aside the day
for the honoring of "Indiana's most be-
loved citizen" His plan was TO have busi-
ness suspended as much as possible. The
proclamation IL being generally observed
IN every city. town and village, from
indianapolis down to Greenfield. where
MIR. Riley was born. and Carleton, the
tiny hamlet. under the name OF Tailholt.
tho praise OF which the poet sang with
the lines:
You kin boast about yer cities, and their
stlddy growth and size,
And braR about yer county seats and
And railroads and factories. and all sich
A0olery-
But me little town Of raiIhOit is big
enough fer mel
Greenfield took particular interest In
the celebration. Many Of the older In.
habitants remembered James Whitcomb
Riley as . little boy, unknown to the
world except a. the son Of Captain
Reuben Riley, = highly respected citi-
SEN Also Il recalled that is IN situated
on the banks Of the Brandywine. the little
stream whose Joys the poet chronlcled
In '-The Old ewimmin' Hole." and OF
which he has said, that, wandering up
and Down r. he had more fun to the
SQUARE inch than ever anywhere"
Governor RAlatOn. Mayor Joseph H.
BeIl. Charles Warren Fairbanks, Mere
dith Nicholson and George Ade had
charge Of the celebration In indianapolis
In order 70 lend nationwide interest 20
Il they invited celebrated persons frcm
AL over the country 10 attsnd. Many ao-
oopted.
william AIien white came from En-
poria. Kan: Dr. John II. Finley and
Coionei George Harvey. from New yors;
E1lsry sedgwich. from Bostoa. and
Toung r. Allison from LOuinviils. KY. 70
help honor Mr. Riley.
The list Of Indians citinens taking part
N ths celebration y bis. In addition 70
the members o the committee OF ar
Fangementa there wsFs former Senator
Albert ,. Beveridea Senator Kern. Vice
President Marshall ard others.
DanRuet IN the Evsning.
The program Of ths day called for an
entertainment IN . local theater In the
afternoon and banquet at which Mr..
Riley was the guest Of honor.
AZ ohe entertainment several of Mr..
Riisyes poems. including The RasEedy
Man" ana Little orphant Annie" were
set 70 music by Mr.. Ward-stsphens
Dancers from Anna Paviowa's company
Interpreted = number Of the verses
Hundreds who had hoped 70 attend the
banquet this eveniRg were disappointed
The committee IA charge have been COM
PEELED 70 reject scores OF appeals for
accOmmocati0ns ~ there are seats for
hut 80 Former Vice President Charles
W. FAIRBANKS was toastm&ster.
The coming of his birthday In October
has q pecriiar happiness for Mr. Riley.
ne said the ether day. II Is his favorite
month, as be attesla IN his poem. ''oid
octeber." In II he says:
love old October 90.
can't bear 70 see her 70
seems 10 me like ioaln' some
Qld-home relative er chum-
Pears IKE sort o. settin BY
some old friend At Agh ~ Sigh
Was a-passln' out o. sight
Into averlastin' night
James WhiteoInb Riley was born az
aresnfield. IND. October 4 lsss. the son
- Captain hsuben A. Riley ana Eliza