The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-10-07
HOOSIER POET
HONORED TODAY
ALL INDIANA BOWING AND SCRAP
ING AT HIS FEET IN HONOR OF
HIS 62d BIRTHDAY
indianapolis the Gathering Place OF
\ Thousands of Riley Admirers-Be
4
= Banquet This Evening

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 7-Whel
James Whitcomb Riley climbed out O
bed on the second floor of his roomy
old-fashioned brick house, deep in tn,
shadows of dreamy old Lockerbit
street today he found all Hoosierdon
bowling and scraping at him in smiling
recognition of his 62d years begin
ming.
Lockerbie street is a little rustic
village highway, with rambling ole
trees and battered brick walks lining
its dusty ribbon of road. Riley never
wanted it improved. He had to write
to keep the councilmen from fixing it
all up. His other protests went un-
needed, but the poem saved the day;
and this instant, though the modern
city sweeps in macadam lines and
skyscrapered visage out ip all direc-
tions from it, Lockerbie street is still,
and doubtless will remain-just Lock
erbie street.
Not far over the hills from the city
lies the Little Town o'Tail Holts; and
a few miles further on is The Old
Swimmin' Hole On country roads
down through the state you might, if
you searched right we'll, find cross
roads signs, merchants legends daub-
ed on rough boards, relics of those
long-gone days when Jimmy Riley
rambled over the hills and far away.
Today the world bows low to James
Whitcomb Riley, "The Hoosier Poet;
and a genial smile such as no one in
the world but Riley ever could con-
coct, wreathes his great big,s boyish
old face and-well, it just all seems
mighty good.
Children in every township of 80
counties recited Riley poems and
heard stories of the man whose fame
has overtaken him while he yet lives.
Indianapolis was the gathering
place of thousands of Riley's admir-
ers. Notable men of letters came far
from all directions to honor natures
poet.
A busy day was outlined for Riley.
Some doubt was expressed that he
could follow the program without Sc
verely taxing his strength, which has
broken in recent years. This morning |
Riley visited schools here where the
children had been drilled in many |
pretty honors to him. Riley made no
secret of the fact that he treasured
the tribute paid him by the children.
Favorite poems were for the first
line interpreted in dancing and music.
At the Murat threatre "An Afternoon
With Riley was produced quite aln-
oitiously. Little Orphan Annie"
The Circus Day Parade" and other
avorites were interpreted by young
women of the social set.
The banquet at> the Claypool this
in Riley's honor will be rep
esentative. Four hundred invita-
ions were sent out.
The list of speakers for tonight in
ludes William Allen White of En-
,oria. Kan, who will tell of ''The Day
We Celebrate; John H. Finley, COM Z
missioner of education of the state OF
Jew York; George AIDE; Young e.
.llison of Louisville; Albert ]. Bere~ I
idge; Senator John w. Kern; VICE c
resident Thomas R. Marshall; Ellery t
editor of Atlantic Monthly, /
nd Col. George Harvey. Charles War i
en- Fairbanks will be toast master.
Riley had been hoping for lots of
lnlight and high temperature today. ?
his, he said, has been most out
ageous summer. 81 haven't been able
get up a perspiration but twice n
iIey dislikes cold weather He spends "
IS winters in Florida. He is not S
riting now either for the hand that e.
.rved him so well so long is "na4l- Il
h." p
"And poems can't be dictated you il
low" O.
However, he did write a new poem
r today, and will read it tonight.
LONDON of Noting m
m uaro cavod from abandoning the I'll