On April 24, 1901, Paul Laurence Dunbar and his wife Alice were distracted as they tried to write letters to each other. Paul was visiting the Tuskegee Institute, a school in Alabama that provided vocational training to African Americans. Alice was entertaining friends at their home in Washington, D. C. When Paul was traveling, the Dunbars typically wrote to each other every day.
My lecture today has been a great success. I wrote a fifteen minute lecture and talked one hour. My class numbers about eighty pupils and they are a great gang. Dear, so many have come in just now that I can't write. I am going for a drive, too, and "Sir, your carriage waits." So I must close with half a page. Why the devil doesn't this man stop grinning and talking?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, April 24, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Your Belle has come over to spend the evening with me and is complacently practicing the piano as I scribble this. She plays worse than I do and I am sitting by her side. Imagine! Well, I must close. Belle has stopped playing and is chattering like a magpie and I have to yowl back at her. I've been trying to write and tell a funny (?) story too. Belle says, "You come home!"
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 24, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The Dunbars often spent their evenings socializing and playing cards with their friends in Washington. They knew a woman named Belle Howard whom Alice called "your Belle" in letters to Paul.
We played last night at the Kelly's. Had two tables and your poor Belle was left alone. Later in the evening, Mr. Baltimore came in and took her for a partner and they won three games. Your Belle was mad! She sent her love to you and told me to tell you to please come home as she had no partner but a man who couldn't play.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 9, 1901. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 4, F101.
I roused myself and went next door last night. I was feeling so measly that I decided not to go but they came and insisted. Your partner played with the irrepressible Mr. Lewis and he made one headachy with his mouth. Belle told me to tell you that she was tired of playing with odd men and she wished you'd please come home.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 12, 1901. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 4, F101.
Last night poor Belle came over to spend the evening with me and we two played euchre. We played thirteen games and we played for pennies. She beat me by one game and went home triumphantly carrying her penny which she said she was going to put in a mission box.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 17, 1901. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 4, F104.
We had a little euchre game here last night. We had lots of fun and giggled a great deal and got mad and quoted Hoyle in quite an orthodox manner. We had lemonade and uneeda wafers and thought ourselves quite wicked, breaking up at eleven-thirty. Mrs. Kelly and Miss Lowell won three pennies each, and carried them home with great rejoicing. Your Belle sent her love and told me to be sure and tell you about her victory and larger gains.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 21, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
We played last night at the Kelly's, of course, and your Belle is overjoyed at the prospect of your possibly being here for next week. They were all teasing me and saying I hadn't looked so cheerful for a month.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 23, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The Dunbars separated in January 1902 following a violent incident at their home. Paul and his friends and family pleaded with Alice to reconcile with him, but she refused. The composer Will Marion Cook repeatedly wrote to Alice demanding that she come to New York to see Paul. Cook also sent a telegram to Belle as an intermediary to Alice.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
Received at Wyatt Building, Cor. 14th & F. Streets, Washington, D. C.
To Mrs. Belle M Howard
2224 6th St NW
Washn DCAlice Dunbar must come at once. Paul delirious. Very ill. Answer office.
Will Marion Cook to Belle M. Howard, April 16, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).