22 Riley Bio Williams

JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY
THE POET AS FLYING ISLANDS OF THE NIGHT
by Thomas Earl Williams with primary illustrations by Katherine Kuonen and the great assistance of Robert Tinsley with Riley artifacts, Copyright, 1997, Thomas Earl Williams

We also find Riley writing Krung poetry. Krung wrote "A Peace-Hymn of the Republic" first given in Louisville, Kentucky, September 12, 1895 for the Twenty-Ninth Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. The piece bore obvious reference to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a poem by Julia Ward Howe.

There's a Voice across the Nation like a might ocean-hail, Borne up from out the Southward as the seas before the gale; Its breath is in the streaming Flag and in the flying sail ‑

`Tis a Voice that we remember - ere its summons soothed as now -When it rang in battle-challenge, and we answered vow with vow. -With roar of gun and hiss of sword and crash of prow and prow,

The Ship of State went groping through the blinding smoke of War -Through blackest midnight lurching, all uncheered of moon or star.

As One who spake the dead awake, with life-blood leaping warm -Who walked the troubled waters, all unscathed, in mortal form, -We felt our Pilot's presence with His hand upon the storm,

O Voice of passion lulled to peace, this dawning of To-day -O Voices twain now blent as one, ye sing all fears away,

Not until April, 1898 - when Riley again gave a reading at the Tremont lemple in Boston, did Riley have a chance to share a podium with Ms. Howe. On an evening's performance for the Woman's Club House

Corporation benefit at Boston, Riley came to the stage with Julia Ward Howe leaning on his arm. At this sight, the audience broke out into an applause of very long duration. Riley was introduced by her and Riley replied of his

Riley took permanent residence in Indianapolis with the Holsteins after the summer

of 1893. This home was built in approximately 1860 by Mrs. Holstein's father John replied, "We felt Nickum, a prosperous Hoosier Deutsch grocer. The home was built on what had been the farm of George Lockerbie. a Scot. who had cleared the place of forest.

with His hand upon the storm as we went sailing on. With that Pilot, we walked the troubled waters. Our Ship of State groped through the smoke of war to the day of your hymn - the day of peace."

The poet's hometown was the scene of a great event in the year 1896 when Riley was welcomed back to Greenfield rather as a conquering hero would have been. Riley stipulated that he wanted Captain Lee 0. Harris to share the podium with him and he did so. Riley was welcomed to Greenfield at the train station by the remaining members of the Davis Brothers Old Band. Then the group headed to the Old Masonic Hall for a program. Every available space was filled with extra chairs filling the orchestra. The walls were also lined with onlookers. Riley recited his own verse and it was saic "never was there an audience that gladdened his heart like this one." Rile) said,

"After a long absence and most devious wandering, I am fervently rejoice( and touched by this welcome to my old home 'the dearest spot on earth t( me' and made so not only by sacred reason of its being the place of rri, nativity, but especially because it has ever held the first, the best and th(

most forbearing friends I ever knew or ever needed. I feel grateful, too, with tenderest emotion of heart and mind, to be associated on the program with my old friend and master, Captain Harris, the inspiration of my earliest literary dreams and the steadfast help and influence of my life effort. But how to justly thank you and thank him- as I thank my lucky stars, is a staggering proposition..."

Riley then attended a dinner at the home of Dr. and Mrs. C.K. Bruner greeting old friends and spent the night at his cousin's home, the Hough's. Greenfield had shown its pride in its native son.

The Riley of the later years had his own way of regarding the realities of his past life. He stated these principles in a speech he gave welcoming his friend and former President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, back to Indiana after Harrison's presidential years in a speech to Indianapolis's elite Commercial Club of which both were members on April 22, 1897. Speaking of Harrison, he stated:

"The details of the trials of that earlier time and scene the young aspirant of today of course knows little of nor does that history as fitfully chronicled by reminiscent contributors to the home papers evoke its just measure of serious consideration. Only the sturdy and heroic participants themselves can realize the import of that earlier history - only the comrades of that epoch and environment - the old friends - the old neighbors. To them the simple glories of that primitive past yet exceed all its trials and ordeals, and draw them into closer comradeship to- day. To them that past is sacred, and as they meet strike hands and fall into hearty discussion of the bygone years, it is always with a warmth of interest that in the cheeriest mirthful greeting sounds yet a minor note along the current of the laugh and in the merriest twinkle of the eye shows a certain shadowy, tender, yet insistent threat of rain. It is the fitting reverence remembrance pays to the youth-time of that friendship now grown to such ripe and sound maturity. So steadfastly on until this hour has it fared with our old friend and neighbor..."

Riley did not dwell on the past. It was something to be shared with sympathetic friends who understood why the things of the past had happened. That was all. Maturity erased its stings.

A warm picture of Riley as an older man comes to us from the recollection of his niece, Mrs. Harry Miese. She remembered him as a perfectionist. "I remember his careful lesson to us on exactly how to close and fold an umbrella. When he found he could write despite his lack of formal education he bought grammars and worked until he was perfect. Uncle Jim said to

me once: 'I enjoy anything that's perfectly done.' She also recalled he loved red neckties and red socks but he never wore them because they were too loud. He kept them in a drawer in his room and took them out to look at occasionally. "My uncle often said, and he believed it too, that anyone could do anything they had faith to do. He liked food and always said he hoped there would be 'too much butter' on his sandwiches."

Riley hated to be late for an event. His niece, Hariett Eitel Wells, recalls he sometimes came down at 4 P.M. dressed in formal attire for an evening out so he would not be late. He pinned his shirt collar with long straight pins so it would not slip up.

In the spring and summer of 1898, Riley's country was at war with Spain. The Spanish-American conflict was brief and telling. Spain lost the last vestiges of its 400 year old empire. More importantly the United States drew together in a union that had been shattered for a generation by the American Civil War. Riley celebrated this victory with a poem published in the December ATLANTIC MAGAZINE. It was another famous Krung poem.

And the long, blended ranks of the gray and the blue, -Who gave you, Old Glory, the name that you bear With such pride everywhere

And leap out full-length, as we're wanting you to? -Who gave you that name, with the ring of the same, And the honor and fame so becoming to you? -Your stripes stroked in ripples of white and of red, With your stars at their glittering best overhead -By day or by night

Laughing down from their little square heaven of blue! -Who gave you the name of Old Glory? - say, who -Who gave you the name of Old Glory?

Old Glory, - speak out! - we are asking about How you happened to "favor" a name, so to say, That sounds so familiar and careless and gay

As we cheer it and shout in our wild breezy way -We - the crowd, every man of us, calling you that -We - Tom, Dick and Harry - each swinging his hat And hurrahing "Old Glory!" like you were our kin, When - Lord! - we all know we're as common as sin! And yet it just seems like you humor us all And waft us your thanks, as we hail you and fall Into line, with you over us, waving us on

Where our glorified, sanctified betters have gone. And this is the reason we're wanting to know -(And we're wanting it so! ‑

Where our own fathers went we are willing to go.) -Who gave you the name of Old Glory - Oho!-Who gave you the name of Old Glory?

Is what the plain facts of your christening were, For your name - just to hear it,

And seeing you fly, and the boys marching by, There's a shout in the throat and blur in the eye And an aching to live for you always - or die, If, dying, we still keep you waving on high. And so, by our love

Riley accepted membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters by letter dated February 2, 1911 joining his literary friends William Dean Howells, Samuel Clemens, Henry James, Joel Chandler Harris, Julia Ward Howe, and Charles Adams, and others such as Carl Schurz, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Willson, Augustus SaintGaudens, Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent.

And the scars of all wars and sorrows thereof, Who gave you the name of Old Glory, and why Are we thrilled at the name of Old Glory?

Then the old banner leaped, like a sail in the blast, And fluttered an audible answer at last. -

And it spake, with a shake of the voice, and it said: -By the driven snow-white and the living blood-red Of my bars, and their heaven of stars overhead -By the symbol conjoined of them all, skyward cast, As I float from the steeple, or flap at the mast, Or droop o'er the sod where the long grasses nod, -My name is as old as the glory of God.

On the following January, Riley was asked to recite the poem at the Indiana statehouse where the State accepted a gun captured from the Spanish fleet by Admiral Dewey and also to receive the battle flag of the naval vessel, the Indiana. The scene was mayhem as the state legislators of Indiana and a huge crowd milled around in the statehouse. Then Riley was introduced to give his poem by Admiral George Brown. Riley offered it as a "homely poem to the dear flag, a homely tribute by a voice from the crowd." Most of the people present were familiar with "The Name of Old Glory" which had quickly achieved national prominence as the patriotic poem of the Spanish American War. Then Riley gave it. The crowd filled with patriotic emotion. When Riley finished the crowd rose with applause. It was one of the great moments in the history of the Hoosier state.

William Dean Howells was the literary arbiter of the 1890's. Of the critics contemporary with James Whitcomb Riley his voice was most listened to. Howells was the champion of literary realism. He hated romance. He tested every writer by whether he treated life as it really was. "The truth should always be told. It may be indecent, but it cannot be vicious. The imagination can only work with the stub of experience, for experience is life. The difference between realism and romanticism is that the realist takes

In 1899, Howells visited Indianapolis and was particularly anxious to see James Whitcomb Riley during his visit. He not only lectured in Indianapolis, but was escorted through a tour of

An Empire style sofa with "Crazy Quilt" purchased by Riley circa 1890 to furnish his Greenfield home. Riley was known to "nap- on this couch in the afternoons. Courtesy, Riley Museum. Greenfield, Indiana.

^ping author of the city. Tarkington was then thirty and already the author of the novel, The Gentleman from Indiana. Riley was a close friend of the Tarkington family and was invited to a dinner at the home of Mary Booth (Tarkington) Jameson, nicknamed Haute, during the Howells visit. Riley was the star of the brightest magnitude in the Hoosier literary constellation at the time. He was much sought after as a public reader and when he recited "The Old Man and Jim" or "Out to Old Aunt Mary's" audiences simply responded with unabashed tears. By this time Riley's kenotic poetry such as The Old Swimmin'-Hole and 'Leven More Poems, had long reached "best seller" class and this and other published works provided much income for Riley. Unfortunately, illness kept Riley from this dinner and so the next day, Howells made a call on Riley at his Lockerbie Street home. They conversed privately for about an hour.

Only seven months before this visit, Howells had written "I think Mr. Riley a very great artist, with insight as subtle as the best of the new English poets, and sympathy as generous." The critic of realism greatly admired Riley who he called "the poet of our common life." He had concluded that Riley's poetry was of such sweetness, sincerity, and purity that "some may not yet prize it aright."

We know of Howells' impression of Indianapolis. As he crossed the northern places of Indiana en route to Detroit and wrote of his visit. He was pleased with his reception in Indianapolis and his lecture. People had stuffed him with praise, he wrote his wife from the train. He also thought the physical appearance of Indianapolis was notable. He called it "a state‑

ly and beautifully livable city. He was particularly impressed with the new, "distinctly noble" Civil War monument in the heart of the capital which gave the city "a very European effect." Of the people he had met, Riley and former President, Benjamin Harrison, were the two he stated stood out most vividly.

Among the many honors Krung received were the following. In 1902, Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut conferred upon Riley at age 52 the honorary degree of Master of Arts. On taking his degree at Yale in 1902, William Lyon Phelps, a friend and English Professor at the university, commented that Riley received more applause than all the other candidates put together.

As the noted journalist, Lester Negley, Sr., put it, Riley was a poet of "stated occasions." One of Riley's great moments as Krung was when, on May 15, 1902, he participated in the dedication of the central shrine of Indianapolis, the Indiana Soldiers and Sailor's monument. This obelisk arising from a base of sculpted heroically configured statuary was located in the epicenter of the Hoosier city as set aside by the original city plan of Indianapolis as the capitol of the Hoosier people. It was on a circle. The circle had originally been envisioned as the place where the Indiana governor's official residence would be located but Indiana governors would not live under such conditions of scrutiny. The occasional nickname of Indianapolis as the -Circle City" derives from the important place which this monument's location on the Indianapolis circle occupies.

Riley wrote a special poem, "The Soldier," for the occasion. The morning of the dedication began at 8 a.m. when a "parade of flags" was staged and survivors of Indiana regiments of the Mexican, Civil and Spanish-American wars marched around the circle carrying their flags. At 10 a.m. General Lew Wallace, Civil War general and kenotic author of BEN HUR, presided at the dedication service where Riley read his poem after a men's chorus of 200 voices had sung.

Krung had been active in the effort to raise money to build the monument. He had written a very popular poem called "A Monument for Soldiers" which was used to build popular support for the project.

In 1903 Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana presented Riley at age 53 with an Honorary Master of Arts. The next year, in 1904, the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania honored Riley at age 54 with a degree of Doctor of Letters. Riley's final degree -Honorary Doctor of Laws - was granted in 1907 by Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana at

Krung received many honors. He was truly the famous person who Riley had only hoped to be when he wrote "The Flying Islands of the Night." Riley was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, New York in 1911. This was a prestigious position for the poet born in a log cabin in Greenfield, Indiana. This same year, Riley was awarded a gold medal for poetry by the National Institute of Arts and Letters for his contribution to American poetry. Riley was the third person to receive the award and the first poet so honored. The medal bears the likeness of Apollo, the sun god, symbolizing creative force and on the reverse a Grecian lamp representing the light shed on civilization by the fine arts. In

Riley is welcomed by his townsfolk. Riley Day in downtown Greenfield. Indiana on October 9, 1912

acknowledging the honor, Riley stated, "Nothing has ever filled my cup so brimming as your generosity in conferring upon me the medal of the institute in the department of poetry. I have been a humbler and, I hope, a better man since that bestowal. You not only honored me beyond any imaginable deserving, but my state and mine own people as well. The institute medal was given annually to the United State citizen for distinguished original creative work in the field of sculpture, history, poetry, architecture, drama, painting, fiction, essays, biography, or music.

And now came the great days when Krung was honored with birthday celebrations. On October 7, 1911, Riley Day was observed in schools of Indiana and New York City. By the time of his death, Riley's birthdcay became an informal national holiday. On his last birthday, Riley was not just celebrated in Indiana. Informal celebrations were held in Chicago, St. Paul and at the Panama Exposition, San Francisco while formal

celebrations were held in West Virginia, Jacksonville, Florida, Washington D.C., and Pittsburgh where three thousand teachers joined in the exercises while eighty thousand children were entertained with "The Old Swimmin'-Hole" and "The Raggedy Man."

One of his most intimate birthday celebrations was in his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana. On this day, October 7, 1911, he came to Greenfield on an invitation of the teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools. After that visit, on Oct. 9, 1911, Riley, partially paralyzed, sent the following letter to the pupils of Greenfield. Ind.

Being unable to write to you himself, my uncle has asked me to express his gratitude for the appreciative birthday greetings you sent to him on behalf of the teachers and pupils of the Greenfield schools. Your greetings were especially welcome, more dear than any of the many others, because they recall the happy days of his youth in Greenfield, many memories of the old home, and the loyalty of the people of Greenfield.

He asks me to return to his friends, one and all, his gratitude, appreciation and love. Very truly yours,

This same month of October, 1911, on the motion of Riley's Greenfield friend, Minnie Belle Mitchell, the Indiana State Federation of Women's Clubs proposed a statewide Indiana celebration of Riley Days in honor of Riley for the next year.

The tribute of school children across the country came. The school children of practically every section of the country had programs in his honor.

Minnie Belle Mitchell has described the very first Riley Day which was held October 7th, 1912:

"The first birthday celebration was held in Indianapolis, the home of the poet. Two thousand school children formed a great procession and passed his home in Lockerbie Street. Mr. Riley, seated on the lawn with a group of friends, greeted the children. Mrs. A.L.New, of this city and myself were among the invited guests. Moving pictures were made of the poet greeting the long line of children. A reproduction of his favorite poem "Out to Old Aunt Mary's" from the original manuscript was given to each child.

Then Mr. Riley came to Greenfield - back to the friends of whom he said - Oh, Home-Folks! you're the best of all 'At ranges this tereschul ball-Greenfield, too, was celebrating the Hoosier's poet birthday with the poet in its midst. It was a wholesome, homey reception that greeted Mr. Riley. The town was decorated from end to end, the stores closed their doors and school

streets. People from all over the state came -old boyhood friends and those who knew him only through his

ing of the royal guest and finally when it heard the old band begin to play in the far distance, "Hail to the Chief: - or was it playing "Lilly Dale" like a voice from the poet's far distant youth? Then the poet's car came in sight passing slowly and cautiously through throngs of people - thousandsof them, cheering and calling his name. the car soon reached a double line of children and each child was armed with flowers of every hue. As Mr. Riley passed, the flowers were tossed into his car literally covering him with blossoms.

Mr. Riley's car was parked at the Court house curb where a group of his oldest and closest friends awaited him. Mayor Ora Myers introduced the honored guests: Hon. William R. Hough, a cousin, delivered the address of welcome; Captain Henry Snow talked on "Old Times in Greenfield"; John F. Mitchell told of boyhood days and William A. Hough used the poet himself as the subject of his remarks.

A happy feature of the occasion was the presentation of a silver loving cup, purchased by the school children of Prof. Frank Larrabee. Mr. Riley, deeply touched, responded as follows: "I thank you. Sometimes I think I ought to apologize to the people of Greenfield in that I may not seem to appreciate all they do for me. Not being able to arise I shall only say that I cannot tell you how my heart is touched. It is a great thing, and if later we claim the reward we all hope for, heaven will indeed have to surpass itself to find more than I have here. I thank you."

Riley Day during "Made in Anderson Week", June 3rd, 1913. Anderson honors Riley.

house, the publisher's, and the office of a trust company where a desk was reserved for him. He enjoyed receiving mail and made sure not a single letter escaped his notice. He duly inscribed books sent him in the mail for autograph from all over the country.

1913 was the famous "Made In Anderson Day," where Riley was invited to the city that had harbored him most in his 20's and where "Leonainie" was written among many other poems. Riley's automobile was met at Pendleton by the city notables and a great cavalcade proceeded on climaxing in a grand parade and readings at Anderson's Grand Opera House. Children brought flowers to the footlights. Riley responded, "Citizens of Anderson, and you, little children who have so wonderfully greeted me, 1 have no words to express to you what is in my heart at this moment. This is the happiest day of my life. I thank you for your generous welcome, I thank you for your beautiful flowers. With all my heart, I thank you - I thank you."

Krung continued to write public poetry for many persons as the years progressed.

A friend of Daniel L. Marsh, Reverend Doctor W.W, Hall, held evangelistic meetings in Riley's boyhood home, Greenfield, Indiana, in the fall of 1914, less than two years before Riley died. Riley wrote him a poem which he entitled "The Evangelist," with this greeting:

"These lines are a greeting to you and an epitome of your first sermon in Greenfield. You are at liberty with them." The lines are found in Marsh's,

Hail, Harbinger of God's Good News! Good News' to pulpits and to pews: -Oh, hear His voice in - 'Peace Be Still.' And dwell entwined in His sweet will. 'The Purpose?' Ah, with glad accord. Put on the armor of the Lord,

'The Plan?' - 'Tis writ with pencil pure, -Line and dimension straight and sure: -Inquire of Him - 'Lord, what to do?'

'The Motive?' that all tongues confess To Him - our Hope and Righteousness! Tho' now the view be darkly dim, -Through faith we'll win the world to Him!

God's Promise - through His Promised Son! We'll sing it in the realms above ‑

Riley's generosity continued when he contributed real estate valued at approximately $100,000 north of St. Clair square to form part of the site of the new Central Indianapolis library building. Riley's private gifts to the needy and charitable causes were substantial but never disclosed.

On September 8, 1915, the Governor of Indiana, Samuel M. Ralston, issued a proclamation designating October 7, 1915, the 66th anniversary of the birth of Riley, as "Riley Day" in Indiana and urged all people of the state "to arrange in their respective communities, appropriate exercises in their schools and at other public meeting places; that they display the American flag at their homes and places of business on that day in honor of James Whitcomb Riley, Indiana's most beloved citizen."

This proclamation simply must be more fully quoted since it contains rhetoric among the finest prose in public literature:

Riley's huge popularity during his lifetime caused his name to have great commerical value. Some of the products sold across America bearing indicia of him are shown.

cloud, all recognized that in the depths of his soul there was love for his fellowman and adoration for his God. Whether he was painting signs or writing verses, the people were his study. He familiarized himself with their manners and customs and characteristics, and with melody and sweetness and a singular fit of invention, he told them things about themselves they did not know. This is why they have always loved him.

More than any other citizen of Indiana, James Whitcomb Riley has carried the fame of his native state into the schools and homes of the world. It is not strange therefore that there should be a widespread feeling

among our people that the anniversary of his birth should be celebrated in honor of his poetic genius and his literary achievements, and in recognition of his contributions to society.

He is the children's poet, and he has become such because he has so much of the spirit of the One who said, Suffer little children to come unto me. All Indiana will rejoice therefore to see her children afforded an opportunity to place their heart wreaths upon his brow and strew their flowers about his feet.

Now, therefore, I, Samuel M. Ralston, as Governor of the State of Indiana, hereby designate and proclaim the seventh day of October, A.D., 1915, the anniversary of the birth of James Whitcomb Riley, as Riley Day; and I urge all the people of the state to arrange in their respective communities, in their own way, appropriate public exercises in their schools and at their other public meeting places; and that they display the American flag at their homes and places of business on this day, in honor of Indiana's most beloved citizen."

What Indiana did for Riley was not done before. No poet in history hac been accorded such honor. Krung was truly arrived in this last year 01 Riley's life. A Boston newspaper, The Christian Science MONITOR, toot note of this action and said, "You have to think of Riley in his right setting

doing much the same humanizing work as a poet that Lincoln did as a statesman, and with the same instruments - pathos, humor, and sincere love of men as men."

A last dinner was held for Riley in Indianapolis at the Claypool Hotel. The arrangements for this gala dinner were extensive and its chairman was the Vice President of the United States, Charles Fairbanks. He was also the toastmaster for the evenings

entertainment. The speakers included Governor Samuel Ralston, Colonel George Harvey, John Finley, Young Allison, Albert Beveridge, William Allen White, George Ade, and Senator John Kern. The Union soldiers of Indiana presented Riley with a silk flag. Many other acts of friendship were given. Letters were read from many. Among them was one from William Dean Howells, "Give him my dearest love and all such honor as one of the least may offer one of the greatest of our poets.") Another from President Woodrow Wilson ("I wish that I might be present to render my tribute of affectionate appreciation to him for the many pleasures he has given me, along with the rest of the great body of readers of English. I think he has every reason to feel on his birthday that he has won the hearts of his countrymen.")

A final newspaper tribute published upon his dath. titled "The Master Musician Is Dead.-

Indiana, to the time of this writing as the Twentieth Century closes. More about this event is chronicled in your author's HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY, INDIANA, IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

Riley went to Florida that winter as he had the previous ones in his last years and returned to Indiana in the Spring.

Krung's last appearance came June, 1916. This was just one month before he died. Riley agreed to pose on the lawn of his Lockerbie Street brick home for the shooting a film that was to be used in promotion of Indiana's Centennial

Celebration of 100 years of statehood in 1916. Riley did this at the special request of the Governor despite his paralysis and bad health. It was filmed by Harry Cobur and at this appearance, Lester C. Nagley, Sr., took his own photos, one of which was the shot of Riley and the children which was used as the basis for the mural of Riley in the Hancock County Courthouse.

Krung's death followed. On Saturday night, at ten minutes to eleven, July 22d, 1916, before Riley retired for the night, he asked a nurse staying with him for a glass of water. While waiting, Riley attempted to turn on his side and gently died.

Krung's death was greatly mourned. Flags over Indiana drooped to half-staff. In Washington, the Speaker of the House, Champ Clark, commented to the press and President Wilson telegraphed his sorrow to Edmund Eitel. Krung's body lay in state under the Indiana statehouse dome prior to the funeral. Riley's body was eventually laid to rest on the high knoll of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Riley's bronze coffin weight twelve hundred pounds being carried from the Lockerbie Street home. (Front the Barton Rees Pogue glass positive collection.) At the time of his death, Riley was contemplating a move to a mansion he was building for himself. The unfinished structure located at the northeast edge of Indianapolis was subsequently disposed of for use as a tuberculosis sanitarium and call "Sunnyside."

valued at $283,182.70 exclusive of book rights which were subject to secret agreements never disclosed. Riley's legacies provided income sufficient to support his heirs, his one surviving sister, Mary Elizabeth Payne, then living in New York, and his nephew and niece, Edmund H. Eitel and Elizabeth Whitcomb Eitel, of Indianapolis, the children of Riley's sister Elva, for the rest of their lives. In fact, Riley had provided very substantial income to all of these during his lifetime. No last will and testament was ever found.

In the Riley notice of death in the New York SUN, a critic commented: "He took by divine right the place of an American poet which has not been occupied since Longfellow's tenancy ended." The Greenfield contingent to the Riley viewing at the Statehouse had worn ribbons, "Greenfield and Hancock County. The Home of Riley - He Still Lives."

How the world felt about the death of Riley may have been best expressed by one of Riley's successors in the use of dialect poetry, Michigan's Edgar Allen Guest.'

There must be great rejoicin' on the Golden Shore today, An' the big and little angels must be feelin' mighty gay; Could we look beyond the curtain now I fancy we should see Old Aunt Mary waitin' smilin' for the coming that's to be. An' Little Orphant Annie an' the whole excited pack

There are lumpy throats this morning now that Riley's gone away. There's a voice now stilled forever that in sweetness only spoke An' whispered words of courage with a faith that never broke. There is much joy and laughter that we mortals here will lack, But the angels must be happy now that Riley's comin' back.

The world was gettin' dreary, there was too much sigh and frown; In the vale o' mortal strivin', so God sent Jim Riley down,

An' He said, "Go there an' cheer 'em, but don't make your plans to stay Coz you're needed up in heaven. I am lendin' you to man

But the heavenly angels missed him, missed his tender gentle knack, Of makin' people happy, an' they wanted Riley back.

There must be great rejoicin' on the street of Heaven today; An' all the angel children must be troopin' down the way; Singin' heavenly songs of welcome an' preparin' now to greet The soul that god had tinctured with an everlastin' sweet: The world is robed in sadness an' is draped in somber black, But joy must reign in Heaven, now that Riley's comin' back!

I. From a booklet issued by Horace Ellis, then State Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Indiana issued in 1917 in the Riley Museum, Greenfield, Indiana. Guest was an Englishman born in Birmingham of that country on August 20, 1881 who was brought to the United States at the age of ten. He was educated in Detroit. Michigan and wrote greatly admired books of verse. He also was on the editorial staff of the Detroit FREE PRESS and wrote a syndicated column carried in major American newspapers. One of his famous poems begins: "It take a heap olivin^• in a house to make it home."

	A "victrola" or "record player" with "record" or "phonographic recording" of Riley reciting "The Raggedy man." Courtesy. Riley Museum. Greenfield, Indiana.