On August 8, 1902, the Chicago Tribune literary editor wrote to Paul Laurence Dunbar, who had recently moved to the city.
I am very much interested to hear that you have come to Chicago to live, and that our small coterie of craftsmen is to have so distinguished an addition. Can you not come down to the Tribune Wednesday afternoon -- room 542 -- and tell about such work as you may have in prospect? The Tribune would very much like a picture of you also.
Elia W. Peattie to Paul Laurence Dunbar, August 8, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Several weeks later, the paper published a lengthy article about Paul, although no photo was included.
Chicago has, for a city of 2,000,000 souls, been singularly frugal in the matter of poets. Not a baker's dozen of recognized rhymesters walk the pavements of this city, and of these not more than three enjoy a national reputation. It is therefore gratifying to know that so true and spontaneous a poet as Paul Dunbar has decided to make his home here. Mr. Dunbar has been in bad health for the last three years, and has hopes that the west will prove better for him than southern Ohio.
"I'm a little nearer the mountains here," Mr. Dunbar said. "I feel that I can get to them easily."
"Are you bringing out a volume this autumn, Mr. Dunbar?"
"I hardly think so," he replied. "I was to have had a book for children ready by Christmas, but when I was halfway through I had to give it up. I don't feel like writing just now. To get well is my only ambition."
Mr. Dunbar has a youthful appearance, mournful eyes, a genial smile, and a cordial and simple manner, as if he felt kindly toward a world which has shown him not a little appreciation. Mr. Dunbar's ways are simple and direct. He talks of the time he was a janitor with as much freedom -- and with as little boasting -- as he does of the present time, when he is a poet well loved by his own people and much admired by all Americans.
"The Poet Dunbar a Chicagoan," by Elia W. Peattie. The Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, Illinois). September 13, 1902. Page 18.
After permanently separating from his wife Alice in January 1902, Paul left their home in Washington, D. C., and stayed in New York City until the spring. Then he moved to Chicago and began living with relatives on Dearborn Street (although there was some uncertainty about Paul's address among his friends and newspaper reporters).
I mailed a letter to you at 3627 Dearborn Street, which was returned April 14, I was therefore under the impression that you moved again. Notify me where to send the letter. You see you gave me the number as 3627 and now send me the number as being 5627.
Douglass B. McCarey to Paul Laurence Dunbar, April 29, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
I received your letter along about the middle of April and immediately answered it and it has been returned, therefore I write to you at your old address. I hope you are home now and well and happy, and that you have passed through the deep waters and have come out safely on the other side.
Henry A. Tobey to Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 10, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar, the poet laureate of the race, is in the city, visiting his mother at 3204 Dearborn street.
"CHICAGO: The 'World's Fair City' Viewed by the Appeal Man." The Appeal: A National Afro-American Newspaper (St. Paul, Minnesota). May 17, 1902.
The distinguished poet and writer, Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar, is seriously ill in Chicago at the home of his sister, Mrs. Murphy. His address is 5627 Dearborn Street.
"Seriously Ill." The New Age (Butte, Montana). June 6, 1902. Page 1.