Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-04-18
James Wh;tcomb Riley. Painter.

0tti ~ disllSt
In the letters OF James Whitcomb silcE.
In Harper's, is told for the first time the
true story Of The poets early beginnings
as a sign painter. lie mad tried more So
iious employments, but finally entered
into partnership with IL certain MrClana-
han.
Riley and McClanahan travelled
through many iiousier towns with much
theatrical display. On entering u town.
said Riley, Mechanism went first TO the
livery stable and with unfailins instinct
picked out the best horses. 1t vas not long
before we Were in the good grace - tho
livery man and had as our reward the best
team In the barn free of charge for the
afternoon Thus set up, two yout.. sign
painters made a dashing entrance before
the public. Then they propose 10 put Tho
names of the leading merchants on cvcri
barn, fence, and builder on each of thu
roads leading into town with the very clio
quent prophecy these signs will stand az
long as the fence OF barn or stone re-
mains Human nature could i'll with
stand such an attractive proposition eyer
at the big price named by the members
OF the new advertising agency To any
close-fisted objector they exclaimed;
Why. YOU spend that much each Year on
newspaper advertising. and. what is more.
your newspaper allows your competitor IT,
advertise in the very next column in ~
more conspicuous place. He can't DO that
on the road, because you'll have every
fence and barn, and il you don't take the
contract he will. you bet!' And yet. de
spite their cleverness, the young men on
occasion met discouragemcnts. From the
town OF Peru, Riley wrote, early in Aug
ust. 1872:
Dear Brother-We rave been here ol.r
week tomorrow night. We came from
business there-expecting to do equally as
we'll here, but alas! We will fail to amass
the handsome little fortune bequeathed us
by Kokomo. l have even fallen so Low.
as an advertiser, as to contract for the
lettering Of a few Home Sewing Machines
Bfagstock] is wide awaken I'm safe!
""This town is full of business. politics.
and everything almost, but advertising.
We understand that 1t has had a party or
two here in that line that skinned them
cut on board and livery. ETC.. etc, and
pay tonight a little old $1s for board any
how-Oh! we amt busted yet! Riley AMI
M~cClanahan are billed to show ana
the performance will positively tak.
place whatever the weather."
II have made the acquaintance Of a
band teacher here who is engaged to take
charge of a band that is to travel this
winter with a theatrical troupe that is
organizing. He says he can get me "a
good thing with the party and wants M.
TO go. i want to go, and with his as
sistance may get a place-he assures me
that it Is strictly first class in every patio
|ula'. i can get a big salary for I'm the
kind of Il man they want-low-comedy-
recitationist-comic song-Scenc-ptr.-ten-
or, drummer. etc, etc.
"'Your affectionate brother. Jim.
Write to me and kiss the children
This first venture soon came to an
end. 1t was a merry journey. into which
the young poet put much imagination and
enthusiasm. One. suspended by a rope.
he painted a sign upon the bottom of !:
bridge. inverting the letters so that III.
country people approaching the scene by
q turn In the road were startled to read
insistent words of advice reflected on the
surface of the water. The big barns took
from the work much OF the charm and in.
splration. Painting there in the blaze OF
the sun through long afternoons. and
stretching upward 70 reach the tops o,
the letters till his arm seemed to break
from weariness.' had no romantic value.
Al night his back ached and he dreamed
OF hiN soft hAA NJ hOmoO