On July 1, 1905, John Hay, the U. S. Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt, died unexpectedly in New Hampshire. Hay was the Ambassador to Great Britain when Paul Laurence Dunbar visited England in 1897, and the two poets from the American Midwest became friends.
Sec of State John Hay died at 12:25 this morning. The signs immediately preceding his death were those of pulmonary embolism. Mr. Hay's condition during all Friday had been entirely satisfactory. John Hay, who will live in history as one of America's greatest statesmen, had a most remarkable and many sided career. If John Hay had contributed nothing but his writings to posterity, he would still have earned a lasting reputation. There is a quaintly humorous touch to much of his poetry, reminding one somewhat of James Whitcomb Riley.
"Sec John Hay Dies Suddenly." The Boston Daily Globe (Boston, Massachusetts). July 1, 1905. Pages 1 - 2.
When Paul was in England, he gave Hay a copy of his book Lyrics of Lowly Life, and the ambassador wrote a thank-you note on stationery from the London embassy. A native of Indiana, Hay wrote Midwestern dialect poetry as well as newspaper articles and fiction.
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of June 16th, and to thank you for sending me the English edition of "Songs of Lowly Life."
John Hay to Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 18, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Colonel John Hay, well known as the author of the "Pike County Ballads," and, at one time, secretary to President Lincoln, has been appointed United States Minister to the Court of St. James.
"American Gossip." The Book World (London, England). March 1, 1897. Page 7.
Colonel John Hay's "Pike County Ballads" are, perhaps, better known here than are the rest of his writings. There will, however, be a fuller representation of his pen in the two volumes to be issued early in June. English people will have the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the new American Ambassador as a prose author.
The Librarian (London, England). June 5, 1897. Page 11.
New editions of Hay's writings were published in England after he became Ambassador, so his books were sold alongside Paul's Lyrics of Lowly Life. When Paul had difficulty with his manager during his English trip, Ambassador Hay provided help.
Paul Dunbar is enjoying his English tour, though unfortunately it is marred by trouble with his agent. Maj. Pond arranged for it and sent his daughter, Miss Pond, across with Dunbar to act as his manager. The financial results were not as great as Miss Pond hoped and Dunbar was obliged to withdraw from his engagement as the result of personal difficulties growing out of Miss Pond's dissatisfaction. He was not left friendless, however, for Ambassador John Hay at once extended a helping hand to the young poet. A Dunbar recital, "under the immediate patronage of His Excellency, John Hay, United States Ambassador," is to be held at Salle Erard, Great Marlborough street, London, on next Saturday afternoon. Mr. Dunbar writes that a large portion of the seats had already been sold at half a guinea each, and he is very sanguine that the function will prove a success, financial as well as otherwise.
"Paul Dunbar." Los Angeles Sunday Times (Los Angeles, California). June 13, 1897. Page 16.
Paul Dunbar makes his debut before the London public at Erard's music rooms the later part of this week. He will give readings from his own verses, under the especial patronage of the Ambassador, Colonel John Hay. He has already been made much of, and will be in continued demand at the dinners of writers and artists, and elsewhere where the color of a man's skin does not invalidate his claim to personal and intellectual distinction.
"Paul Dunbar Wins Favor." The Sunday Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). June 6, 1897. Page 3.
After Hay's death, Paul wrote an ode in his honor.
Why droops the flag so sadly from the mast?
Is it because the mariner is past?
Why rolls the drum so dully in the field?
Is it because a state bereft must yield
One of its greatest to the great unknown?
Excerpt from "On the Death of John Hay," undated typescript. The James Weldon Johnson Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut). Box 2, Folder 73.