On September 21, 1904, foreboding reports about Paul Laurence Dunbar's health were published in many newspapers around the country.
Paul Laurence Dunbar is in a critical condition. He has consumption of the lungs and is at the home of his mother in Dayton, Ohio. It is said that his physicians have given him only one month to live. On May 2, Mr. Dunbar contracted pneumonia while in New York and it developed into tubercular trouble.
"Paul Laurence Dunbar, Noted Negro Poet Ill." Daily Star (New York, New York). September 21, 1904. Page 1.
Paul Laurence Dunbar is lying seriously ill at the home of his mother in Dayton, Ohio, with a complication of throat and lung ailments, which, it is thought, will cause his death. He has been in bed for nearly two months and the attending physicians give scant encouragement.
"News of the Book World." The Minneapolis Journal, September 21, 1904. Page 4.
On the same day, similar articles appeared in newspapers in California, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, D. C. In response to these reports, Paul received advice from strangers about his physical and spiritual health.
I have read of thy sickness unto death and I hasten to write thee, impelled by the Spirit of God whom I love and serve with a single heart. Drink no water from any source. Drink instead wine and milk in any quantity you can take, using the wine, a light wine like claret, to aid the stomach digest the milk. Likewise, when able eat of mutton broth and crackers and mutton broiled. If agreeable eat honey and butter. Under no circumstances eat vegetables. The diet I recommend is suitable for soul and spiritual growth and restoration. God loves you, brother. Have faith and search His word in much prayer, if thou art able.
Unsigned to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 21, 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
I read an article telling of your ill health. It was a real grief to me. I certainly trust that conditions are not as serious and that Our Father may see fit in His unerring wisdom to spare you yet many years. I have so enjoyed all I have been favored to read of your writings, and my old New Hampshire way is, when I enjoy what a person does for me, to tell him so, for I think we need all the kindly words we can have. And may the dear Lord be very gracious to you, and may you ever have the blessed consciousness that no matter what comes, that underneath are the "Everlasting Arms."
M. E. Clough to Paul Laurence Dunbar, October 28, 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Alice Moore Dunbar also received letters from strangers concerned about Paul's health, although the Dunbars had separated permanently in 1902 and were living in different states.
We regret very much to learn of the death of your devoted husband and you have our sympathies in your hours of bereavement. We realize that the race has lost its only great poet, who has sung not only to this generation, but to the generations to come. May God and good angels attend your pathway in a world of friends who were inspired by the lyric verses of your dear husband. On behalf of the Dunbar Club, Douglass High School, Oklahoma City.
J. H. A. Brazelton to Alice Moore Dunbar, October 25, 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Seeing an account of your husband's sickness, I feel impelled to write to you. Believing that my own life was spared in answer to prayer, I want to join with you in prayer to our Heavenly Father that He will make your husband well. Five years ago, my friends all thought, and I thought myself, that my time had come to die (with consumption). I coughed almost incessantly; indeed I have not language to tell you what I suffered, the doctor seemed powerless to cure me. But my Mother would not give me up, and I honestly believe that my life was spared in answer to her prayers. Today I am well, and have as sound a pair of lungs as anyone ever had. Now, I sincerely hope that you will feel led of the Spirit to join with me in claiming our Savior's precious promise given in Matthew 18:19.
Minnie McDivitt to Alice Moore Dunbar, November 14, 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Despite reports about his imminent death in the fall of 1904, Paul lived until 1906. The writer from Oklahoma was wrong to say that Paul had died; the second letter referred to a Bible verse that says "if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."