On May 8, 1903, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Boston wrote to his mother Matilda in Chicago. Paul was in New England for a series of literary recitals.
The reading was a great success and I am engaged for next year. Boston has been very kind to me and Alice's dearest friends are the very ones that are doing the nice act. I leave here tomorrow for New York.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, May 8, 1903. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Paul Laurence Dunbar at the Sunday afternoon meeting of the Young Men's forum in the St. Paul A. M. E. Church, Cambridge, yesterday made a short address and recited one of his poems.
"Spoke at Young Men's Forum." The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts). May 4, 1903. Page 5.
Paul and his wife Alice had separated permanently in January 1902, but he still hoped to reconcile with her. While in Boston, Paul encountered some of Alice's friends, since she and her family had lived nearby (though they were living in Wilmington, Delaware, at this time). Paul repeatedly tried to contact Alice, but got no response.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
Dated Boston Mass
To Mrs. Paul Laurence Dunbar
Reading at Salem yesterday a great success will write
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, May 7, 1903. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
My God, Alice, there must be some plane upon which we can come together. I have been a coward and a dastard, but I love you. Won't you meet me somewhere and talk it over? Don't be influenced by your friends. After the first two weeks of our separation, there has not been a day when with heartache I have not longed for you, my wife. Nothing can take you away from me. Nothing can unmarry us. Don't you remember when we used to say that we had married for eternity? I am a broken hearted man, but, thank God, you are mine. Will you meet me someplace within the next four days? Meet me please and I shall stay here for a day or two to await your answer. Whatever that may be, answer.
Answer me, for God's sake.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, May 7, 1903. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
During the remaining few years of his life, Paul occasionally tried to contact Alice, but she didn't respond and they never saw each other again.