The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-25
The Houses in Keokuk
Where Literature Lived
HAPPEN Family Homes o. inc
"'0'> - civ and They Are Substantial, Solid Resi-
dences interesting to Stroller Along
the

Fifth street. It was there that he
wrote his book
| The building is one Of a series Of
two story office buildings that were
among the first of the uptown struc-
| lures to be built A good place to
reminisce the events that have
shaped the history of Keokuk have
! ali happened not far from that block.
The Latest Novels Written Here,
pals First and THE Haunted Pa
jamas" and several other novels were
written by Francis Perry Elliott IN the
house at 511 North Third street. The
place is more Familiarity known by old
time residents of Keokuk as the old
Belknap house, because 1t was occu-
pied by General w. W. Belknap, who
later became secretary Of war.
It happens to be TEMPORARILY va
cant, for Elliott moved to Franklin
street the other day, Just before he
started on his annual trip to New York
and New England. One wonders who
will live there next, and feels that in
any event the old house will retain
the dignity of its years and the ia
nous folk who lived there.
A single large square room on one
side of the house leaves with the
stranger the impression that 1t was in
that room that most of the books
were written. 1t seems so detached
and set apart from the rest of the
house.
Where Margaret COLLAR First Wrote.
The exception In literary achitec-
ture is the house at 2O8 Fulton street
where Margaret Collier Graham
started her literary career. Most Of
her writing was done in California,
but she really developed her ability
with the pen by writing for her own
amusement in that house.
1t is the large frame house now
occupied by Judge John e. Craig.
There was plenty Of room there for
literary effort, from the big front
porch that affords 80 good view OF
the river to the large and comfortable
porches under the deep shade at the
rear and side of the house.
The house at 1928 High street
where Frank Moorhead wrote his
Unknown Facts About Well Known
People, stands out in marked con-
trast to the other places Of literary
fame. There is nothing about it that
savors Of literary atmosphere. for 1t
is too modern and business like.
It is a square house of two stories
such as were built fifteen years ago
and were the very latest In architec-
ture before the bungalows came to be
almost fad. But its painted appear
ance gives it the appearance Of being
much newer than 1t is.
Where Mark Twain Worked.
Perhaps the building that should
come first in the category Of houses
! Of literary fame should be the building
at 202 Main street. not so much for the
literary works that were produced
within its walls as for the literary
works 1t may have inspired later.
1t was there that Mark Twain
worked in the printing shop of his
brother, and set the type for the first
city directory of Keokuk. 1t is four
story business structure that has been
hremodeled since the day young
Clemens was printer
It's gray painted brick walls are
still very solid and make the outside
look modern, but when one reaches
the interior. one feels that the life has
gone out of It, Empty and large, last
used by jobbing firm, now dirty and
dark, it seems grim and decrepit as
ones steps echo from the walls inside.
When it is rem odeled for future use,
or is replaced by another business
building, there will go the last visible
sign that can be pointed out to tray
elers of the place where the greatest
American author was inspired to lit
erary effort.