The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-04

Some as a matter of fact are Of
little importance, while others are
of such moment that the facts again
should be given general publicity.
NIisled in Birthplace
The birthplace of James Whit
comb Riley is one thing that is
generally misunderstood. The word
ing on the tablet on. the old Riley
homestead is misleading. Inasmuch
as it states "the birthplace of James
Whitcomb Riley" it is perfectly nat
uraI for the public to infer that the
house on which the tablet is placed
is the house in which he was born.
The poet was born in a log cabin
located on this same lot Immediate
ly to the east of the house now
standing, which was built by Rubin
A. Riley, father of James Whitcomb
RNey, and occupied by the Rileys
for number of years.
Three children were born in the
little cabin. John, the Oldest, whose
widow, Mrs. Julia Riley, now occu-
pies the Riley home in Greenfield;
daughter, Martha, who died in
infancy, and the third, James, the
poet. After moving into their ne'N
home, three more children were
born, Elva May Riley, Humboldt
Riley and Mary Elizabeth Riley.
Forced to Sell House
Due to unfortunate investments,
after the war Gin which Mr.. Riley
served as captain) he was forced to
sell his home, moving into what was
known as the Old Seminary, which
had been converted into a resi-
dence, as shown lin the accompany
ing drawing.
jim, as he Familiarity is known to
his old friends in Greenfield, re-
purchased the old home and in
stalled in it his brothers widow, who
resides and presides there, happy in
the memory of her distinguished
brother-in-law.
The birthplace Of the poet, the
little cabin above referred to, re-
ceived coat Of Notwithstanding
about the time Of the poets birth.
Captain Riley, in after years, was
unable to give the exact date Of the
transformation.
In conversation with the poet
some years ago, the writer was given
a description of the place, especially
the fence surrounding it, as shown
in the drawing. This was built by
mailing long boards, or planks, to
post set firmly in the ground, the
top plank nailed to the top Of the
posts in a slanting position.
Burned Pictures on Fence
The interesting part of the con-
versation was a statement Of how
he had gone to Sunday school with
a little playmate, and upon their
return he had for her amusement
taken his fathers reading glass, and
by focusing the rays of the sun, had
burned pictures on the fiat surface
Of the top or slanting board Of the
fence.
Another moot question is the 10
cation Of the "oId swinnin' hole"
The exact location OF this famous
spot on Brandywine creek is about
two hundred yards north Of the
place now used for that purpose in
Riley park.
To con1mercialize the popularity
Of the Hoosier poet seems to be
growing more and more every year
since the poets death. A sample Of
this is reported by tourists that they
had visited in Ohio the Castle Mac
O-Chee, owned and occupied at one
time by Frenchman named Don
Piatt, which, since his demise, has
fallen into other hands.
Although unoccupied at this time,
it is placarded as the one-tirne resi-
dence of James Whitcomb Riley,
and the place where he wrote
when the Frost Is on the Pump