On July 11, 1895, the annual conference of the Western Association of Writers was in session in Warsaw, Indiana. Paul Laurence Dunbar presented a paper and read a poem during the week-long gathering.
Matters are progressing rapidly and favorably at the Winona Assembly and Summer School. From July 8 to July 12, the Winona grounds will be thrown open to the Western Association of Writers and extensive preparations are being made for their entertainment. It is expected that this meeting will be the most successful and most largely attended of any annual meeting in the history of the association.
"At the Eagle Lake Assembly." The Sunday Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). July 7, 1895. Page 5.
Tenth Annual Meeting of the Western Association of Writers to be held at Spring Fountain Park, Warsaw, Ind.
July 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 1895
Program
Wednesday Morning, July 10, 9 o'clockOne Point in the Ethics of Short Story Writing, Paul L. Dunbar
Program for Western Association of Writers conference, July 8 - 12, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Paul was 23 years old and known regionally for his writings, but he had yet to achieve national recognition. He first came into contact with the WAW when the group held its 1892 conference in Dayton. He became a WAW member and attended the 1893, 1894 and 1895 conferences in Indiana. According to the handwritten minutes from the conference, Paul's paper generated a great deal of discussion among the members present. At an entertainment session that evening, Paul also recited some of his poetry.
"The Ethics of Short Story Writing" by Paul L. Dunbar given by the author and many good suggestions were brought out.
Poems were recited by W. W. Pfrimmer, Paul Dunbar and several other members.
Minutes of the Western Association of Writers annual conference, Warsaw, Indiana. July 10, 1895. Manuscripts and Rare Books Division, Indiana State Library.
Many of the conference attendees lodged at the Winona Hotel, and Paul wrote a letter to his future wife Alice Ruth Moore on stationery from the hotel. A newspaper report listed the names of WAW members registered at the Winona Hotel, and the only person from Dayton mentioned was a "P. L. Watkins."
The advance guard of the Western Association of Writers arrived today. A. W. Butler predicts one of the most enjoyable meetings of the association. Those registered at the Winona Hotel today are . . .
P. L. Watkins, Dayton, Ohio
"Western Writers at Winona." The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). July 9, 1895. Page 10.
I just drop you a line from one of the sweetest spots in the world to waft to you some of the delicious glory of lake breeze that am I now enjoying. The Western Association of Writers is meeting here and although I am the only colored member, I am not allowed to feel it. It is boating, fishing, music, poetry and general literature in pleasantly varied layers.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, July 9, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Winona Hotel, Winona Lake, Indiana. From the Winona Lake Postcards Collection at Grace College Morgan Library. Used with permission.