On September 7, 1895, a brief item in an African American newspaper criticized Paul Laurence Dunbar for leaving his position as editor of the Indianapolis World.
Has Paul Laurence Dunbar stopped editing the Indianapolis World? Did he become disgusted with "our race" so soon?
The Leavenworth Herald (Leavenworth, Kansas). September 7, 1895. Page 2.
The Indianapolis World was a weekly African American newspaper. Paul became temporary managing editor in early May and had no intention of remaining in the position permanently. But he was, in fact, disgusted by the experience, as he told his future wife Alice Ruth Moore.
I have severed my connection with the Indianapolis World. My business keeps me traveling a great deal and I find that I can get nothing done properly at the office while I am away. I am a good deal disgusted with my little taste of Afro-American (I hate the word) Journalism.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, August 14, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Paul was critical of most Black periodicals, believing that they could be improved by the addition of quality literature. When he became editor of the World, he asked Alice to submit some of her literary work to the paper.
The colored newspaper is not literary; it seldom publishes a story or poem, and a review is almost an unknown feature. Intelligent colored men read and tolerate these papers, but what possible interest can the white friend of the race have in the fact that "Miss Peggy Wilson of Plum Tree Center gave a taffy-pull last week"? It is this attention to minute and personal details that precludes any general circulation of the colored man's newspaper. The space that might contain some story or poem that would inspire the young reader to do or be something is given over to twaddle about the merits of the candidate for sheriff.
"Of Negro Journals," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The Chicago Record (Chicago, Illinois). June 22, 1894.
I have taken the managing editorship of the "World" and want to make it a good literary weekly. Will you help me? If you have any articles or poems to spare will you send them to me? While we cannot offer financial return, we will do all that we can to assist those who give us their aid.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, May 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).