On December 7, 1898, a newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, announced an upcoming appearance by Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was on a long recitation tour.
The many friends of Paul Laurence Dunbar will be glad to know that he will be at the Auditorium on next Monday evening, when he will read from his poems and prose works. Most of the people in town know of Paul Dunbar and his start on the road to fame by Dr. Tobey, but they may not know that Mr. Dunbar has already reached a very enviable place in the literary world, and it is said that this month this young man was represented in more periodicals than any other American writer. Just now Mr. Dunbar is riding on the top wave of popularity with a pretty sure guarantee that he will land at the island of fame.
The Toledo Blade (Toledo, Ohio). December 7, 1898.
The article refers to Dr. Henry A. Tobey, who was superintendent of the Toledo State Hospital and one of Paul's earliest patrons. Another of Paul's supporters in Toledo was the lawyer Charles Thatcher, who introduced Paul at the reading. After the Toledo recital, Paul wrote a late-night letter to his wife Alice in Washington, D. C.
I just steal a little time from my sleep hours to drop you a line. My auditorium reading is over and it was almost an ovation. The crowd was fair in numbers, elegant in makeup and enthusiastic. Am off to Marion tomorrow for my reading. What a hustler I am. I enclose tonight's program.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, December 12, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The program Paul sent with his letter indicates he recited some prose selections and several poems, concluding with his popular dialect piece "The Party." The Toledo papers reported favorably on Paul's performance.
At the Auditorium last evening a very cultured audience gathered to listen to the readings from his published works by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Mr. Charles Thatcher introduced the poet in a graceful way, referring to his trials when he first started out on the thorny path which leads to fame. Mr. Dunbar then recited a number of his poems and prose sketches, all of which were given in an inimitable way. Mr. Dunbar has the keen observation of life that must be the heritage or acquirement of the man who would be successful in literature. Paul Laurence Dunbar, like James Whitcomb Riley, sees the beauty of common things, that exquisite attribute of the poet.
The Toledo Blade (Toledo, Ohio). December 13, 1898.
Once more Paul Laurence Dunbar has charmed a Toledo audience. Paul Dunbar's literature is alone of its kind, possessing a distinctive merit that cannot be found in any of the works of his white contemporary. His style is unaffected, his characters living and breathing. The effect of this style is almost lost, except when Dunbar himself puts it before you, his eyes, mouth, teeth, hands and feet, all assisting in expressing everything "from appetite to emotion." His voice is sympathetic and rich, serving to heighten the good effect. In fact, there was such a rhythm in it that the onlookers almost imperceptibly swayed their heads, and with beaming faces, watched and listened to the poet.
"Dunbar Heard Again." Unidentified newspaper clipping (Toledo, Ohio). December 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 4).
The pleased, interested look which rested upon the faces of the audience at the Auditorium last night from the first word of the young Negro poet and novelist, Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was the evening's entertainer, to his parting bow was evidence enough of the success of the entertainment and of the great talent of Mr. Dunbar. To reach the heart of humanity is an accomplishment indeed, and this is what Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar does with ease when he recites in his rich, full, vibrant voice.
"Paul L. Dunbar." Unidentified newspaper clipping (Toledo, Ohio). December 13, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 4).