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The Editor of the Kokomo DISPATCH wrote back the following:

The DISPATCH Kokomo, Ind., July 23, 1877

J.W. Riley,

My Dear Sir:

Your favor of this date is just received. Your idea is a capital one and is cunningly conceived. I assure you that I "tumble" to it with  eagerness. You are doubtless aware that newspaper men, as a rule, would rather sacrifice honor, liberty, or life itself, than to deviate from the paths of truth - but the idea of getting in a juicy "scoop" upon the rural exchanges, causes me to hesitate, consider, yea, consent to this little act of journalistic deception. Yes, my dear Riley, I am with you boots and soul. But hadn't I better forestall the poem by a "startling announcement" or something of the sort one week before its publication? The public would then be on the tip-toe of expectancy, etc. I merely offer this as a suggestion. We would hardly be able to publish the poem, if of any great length, this week. Copy is well in for Thursday's issue now, same some local paragraphs. Send copy as soon as you can and we may print next week. If you like, you may also write the preface as you have indicated. Perhaps you could do better than I. I enclose this letter in a plain envelope to disarm suspicion.

Let me hear from you. Fraternally,

"Mum's the word." J.O. Henderson

Riley read the Henderson letter and communicated its good news to Croan and Kinnard and wrote to the out-of-town member of the conspiracy, Ms. Jordan, as follows:

Anderson, Ind. July 25, 1877

Dear Friends:

I write - not in answer to your letter, for I haven't time to do that justice now - but to ask of you a very special favor.

I have made arrangements with the editor of the Kokomo DISPATCH that he shall publish the poem "Leonainie," under the guise of its being the work of Poe himself. Henderson is to invent an ingenious story of how the original manuscript came into his possession, and when it appears with a hurrah from the DISPATCH, I shall copy and comment upon it in the DEMOCRAT - in a way that will show that I have no complicity and I want you to review it, if you will, favorably, in the Independent - I don't want you to really admire it - but I do want you to pretend to, and eulogize over it at rapturous length, and as though you were assured it was in reality the work of Poe himself - as the DISPATCH will claim. Our object is to work up the "Press" broadcast if possible, and then to unsack the feline, and let the "secret laughter that tickles all the soul" erupt volcanically. The "Ring" around the literary torpedo as it now lies includes but four persons, including yourself, and it must be the unwavering resolved of every member to hold the secret safely fastened in the bosom quartette till time shall have ripened the deception, and the slow match had reached the touch-hole of success.

Now will you do this for me at once, for I shall not be thoroughly happy till the answer which I believe, in your great kindness, you will give, reaches me.

How are you, anyway? Happy, I trust, as I am to sign myself

Your friend, J.W. Riley

Riley also replied to Henderson:

Anderson July 26, `77

Dear Henderson:

Your letter did me good, and as I am something of an enthusiast, I am more than ever assured of the ultimate success of our detour. You ask me to fix up the story, and although I have two or three in crude design, I think it will be better, since the poem is to be unearthed at Kokomo, that you manufacture it to suit the surroundings; beside, were I to do it, the trick might be betrayed in some peculiarity of composition - no matter how trifling; for if the ruse succeeds at all, it will certainly receive most rigid scrutiny, and that too of a keenness that will probe to deepest limits. No, I think you will concede the propriety of weaving that fabric on your own loom, I will make suggestions, however, which you may use or ignore as they may be adapted to your surroundings, "In time of peace prepare for war" - that is get ready for afterclaps - or in other words fix a firm foundation. I would get some old woman, we'll say who does washing, or something of that sort, and if she hasn't got an old album, she's got an old book of some kind from which can be torn a blank leaf. Tell her frankly that you want to create a little sensation, and ask her to assist you by saying - should anyone inquire of her as to the truth of it - "that there some poetry written in the book, and that you had noticed it, and asked where the book come from, and she had said it was a book her grandmother used to have; then you had asked her if you mightn't tear out the poetry and print it, and she had acquiesced." Or, - hunt out an old wood-sawer, or an old chap who lives alone, and give him a good send off of some kind - swear him, and then tear a leaf from some old book of his - or if he hasn't got an old book, get him one and let him say "his mother gave it to him fifty year ago - that he don't know where she got it, only that he'd heard her say a young feller about twenty stayed at their house one night, and acted strange like, and looked pale, and paced the floor till morning, and the book was in his room, and when he went away she found the poetry written in it and signed simply E.A.P." -for I have selected Poe to imitate from. And now can you find anything in these suggestions you can utilize - or does not your own fancy suggest a better plan. think. there are a thousand ways, select the most feasible, and nip it at once - taking care to make it anything but complicated or sensational, -and right here while I think of it: You will be called on to produce the M.S. - say simply that you have sent it to W.D. Howells, of The Atlantic," or some other eminent critic for inspection; and if Will Siddell is in your office, let him into it, and he can have seen it, and set from it - but don't let too many know it - only a very few in whom you can repose every confidence.

And now my dear Henderson, I have worried you enough. I turn the whole thing over to you - feeling you will get all out of it there is in it. When you publish it, I will copy and review it in a manner that shall evince most thoroughly that I have no complicity with it; and do not be surprised if I exhibit, in what I shall have to say, a covert jealousy of the "DISPATCH" - I'll do anything to throw unfavorable comment out o' gear. It might be well, as you suggest, to prepare the people for it in some startling way. Do nothing tho' without mature deliberation. Copy the poem with every care and don't omit a mark, for I have taken every precaution to imitate the most minute characteristics of the erratic original. Write me that this is received O.K. and what you think of it. Another thing, preserve our correspondence.

Yours J.W. R.

--- LATER ---It might be well for you to refresh yourself in Poe history - for such material cannot fail to be of most effective service in the "tangled web we weave." By such a course you will be enabled to locate the old lady at whose house the wild-eyed stranger stayed and penned the "Matchless lines;" and also to most minutely describe the poet's chirography.

Write me at once - if only a line, for I am interested.

J.W.R.

"State that the original M.S. has not a single word crossed out, nor sign of erasure - and is copied exact in all particulars. Henderson received Riley's letter that same day and had Will Siddell, his head type-setter, set up the poem "Leonainie" in type and strike off a galley proof to enclose with a letter to Riley reading as follows:

The DISPATCH

J.W. Riley Kokomo, Ind., July 27, 1877

My Dear Sir:

Your favor and poem received yesterday. Your suggestion is good. Will publish poem next Thursday. It is really Poe- tical in every word and line - a superbly written and matchlessly conceived poem It certainly would not detract from Poe's transcendental genius to father the fugitive. I assure you it is withal a marvelous and rare creation, honoring you and the State as well. Have not yet matured my story but will have it in due time. Have you any additional suggestions? We have your "Kalamazoo1" Sargeant a left- handed dig in the ribs this week in the DISPATCH, but do not wish to antagonize the DEMOCRAT. Can't you favor us with a poem written over your own signature, sometime "when you have nothing else to do?" Our readers are quite well acquainted with "Riley the Poet," already.

Fraternally,

J.O. Henderson

1. "Kalamazoo" was the nickname of a baseball player named Sargeant who played for the Anderson baseball team and was called a notoriously "dirty player" in another article in the Kokomo DISPATCH. Riley responded to Henderson's letter as follows:

OFFICE OF THE ANDERSON DEMOCRAT

Todiman and Croan Anderson, Indiana, July 30, 1877
Proprietors

Dear Henderson:

Your letter has furnished me special pleasure, as it indicates that you are sanguine of success. You ask if I have any more suggestions; None I believe - unless it be to say that the typographical form of the poem is faulty in the regard of architectural construction; tho' doubtless you have already remedied the defect, i.e. - it is not properly indented. Have you noticed? If not, repair if this reaches you in time. Nothing more - only "Courage, Courage, Mon Comrade!" We'll drive `em bald-headed I'm sure. Yours, J.W. Riley

The Kokomo DISPATCH printed the following story in its issue of August 2, 1877, at the top of the fourth column of editorial page 2:

POSTHUMOUS POETRY---"A Hitherto Unpublished Poem of the Lamented Edgar Allan Poe - Written on the Fly-Leaf of an Old Book now in Possession of a Gentleman in this city

---The following beautiful posthumous poem from the gifted pen of the erratic poet, Edgar Allan Poe, we believe has never before been published in any form, either in any published collection of Poe's poems now extant, or in any magazine or newspaper of any description; and until the critics shall show conclusively to the contrary, the DISPATCH shall claim the honor of giving it to the world.

That the poem has never before been published, and that it is a genuine production of the poet who we claim to be its author, we are satisfied from the circumstances under which it came into our possession, after a thorough investigation.

Calling at the house of a gentleman of this city the other day, on a business errand, our attention was called to a poem written on the back fly-leaf of an old book. Handing us the book he observed that it (the poem) might be good enough to publish, and if we thought so, to take it along. Noticing the initials E.A.P., at the bottom of the poem it struck us that possibly we had run across a "bonanza," so to speak, and after reading it, we asked who its author was, when he related the following bit of interesting reminiscence: He said he did not know who its author was, only that he was a young man, that is, he was a young man when he wrote the lines referred to. He had never seen him, himself, but had heard his grandfather, who gave him the book containing the verses, tell of the circumstances and the occasion by which he, the grandfather, came into possession of the book. His grandparents kept a country hotel, a sort of wayside inn, in a small village called Chesterfield, near Richmond, Va. One night, but before bed-time, a young man, who showed plainly the marks of dissipation, rapped at the door and asked if he could stay all night, and was shown to a room. That was the last they saw of him. When they went to his room the next morning to call him to breakfast he had gone away and left the book, on the fly-leaf of which he written the lines given below.

Further than this our informant knew nothing, and, being an uneducated, illiterate man, it was quite natural that he should allow the great literary treasure to go for so many years unpublished.

That the above statement is true, and our discovery no canard, we will take pleasure in satisfying any who care to investigate the matter. The poem is written in Roman characters, and is almost as legible as print itself, though somewhat faded by the lapse of time. Another peculiarity in the manuscript which we notice is that it contains not the least sign of erasure or a single inter-lineated word. We give the poem verbatim - just as it appears in the original.

Here it is:

LEONAINIE

Leonainie - angels named her;
And they took the light
Of the laughing stars and framed her
In a smile of white:
And they made her hair of gloomy
Midnight, and her eyes of bloomy
Moonshine, and they brought her to me
In the solemn night.

In a solemn night of summer,
When my heart of gloom
Blossomed up to meet the comer
Like a rose in bloom;
All the forebodings that distressed me
I forgot as joy caressed me --
(Lying joy that caught and pressed me
In the arms of doom!)

Only spake the little lisper
In the angel-tongue;
Yet I, listening, heard her whisper, -
"Songs are only sung
Here below that they may grieve you -
Tales are told you to deceive you -
So must Leonainie leave you
While her love is young."

Then God smiled and it was morning,
Matchless and supreme;
Heaven's glory seemed adorning
Earth with its esteem:
Every heart but mine seemed gifted
With the voice of prayer, and lifted
Where my Leonainie drifted
From me like a dream.

The next morning Henderson sent Riley a copy of the story of the hoax clipped from the DISPATCH with a letter:

The DISPATCH

Dear Riley: Kokomo, Ind. Aug. 3, 1877

We published the poem yesterday. The net-work enveloping the old book, ignorant possessor, etc., you will observe, has been altered materially, for the best, we think. We have our man, a Mr. Hurd, formerly of Va. all posted, primed, etc. The ruse works. Our people think it the "finest poem" Poe ever wrote. Those best acquainted with him declare "Leonainie" to be Poe-tical in every detail. It is success
here. We have sent marked copies to Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Boston, New York, Chicago, and Louisville papers. Also to the Monthlies - Atlantic, Harpers, Scribners, etc. The thunder of their voices will soon be reverberating through the length and breadth of the commonwealth. Do you want any extra copies of the DISPATCH If so, will send you. What do you think of it? How are you pleased with it, etc. Answer.

Fraternally,

J.O. Henderson

Riley received Henderson's letter the same day it was written and immediately did two things to avoid suspicion of himself. He composed a squib for insertion in that days "DEMOCRAT" August 3, as follows:

The Kokomo DISPATCH of yesterday "startles the nation and the hull creation" by publishing a posthumous Poe poem clamorously claiming the honor of its first presentation to the world. Lack of space prevents us from further remark; but we will say, however, that of all the Nazareths now at large, Kokomo is the last from which we would expect good to come."

Secondly, Riley wrote Henderson a post-card, purposely worded to convey a message if read by the curious at Anderson or Kokomo, as follows:

Anderson, Ind. August 3, 1877

Editor DISPATCH

Kokomo, Ind.

Dear Sir:

Some literary thug has gobbled our DISPATCH containing your Poe discovery. Please send me two or three extra copies. What does it mean? Are you in earnest? I would like to enter into a correspondence with you regarding it, for even though you be the victim of a deception I would be proud to know your real author. Do I understand from your description that the manuscript is written like printed letters? Write me full particulars and I will serve you in response in any way in my power. Very truly, J.W. Riley

The next day, Riley wrote another letter:

Anderson Aug. 4, 1 `77

Dear, dear Henderson - and I've a notion to call you darling, -

Your Leonainie

introductory is superb, and as for the leading paragraph, a neater, sweeter lie was never uttered. I fancy Poe himself leans tiptoe o'er the walls of Paradise and perks an eager ear to listen and believe. There may be a feature or two open to attack, but that's at it should be, for once the excitement of controversy started, a thousand hydra-headed critics will rise up in its behalf - if only to be contrary.

I am well pleased; and especially grateful for the evident interest you bestow upon it. Let me caution you again to guard the imposition with most jealous care. Let no one know it - not even your mother-in-law, if you possess so near and dear a relative. Nor would I seem over-anxious to convince unbelievers, for they will strive to run you thro' the gauntlet on that very point; - excuse me for useless suggestions, but I am so fearful of detection a shadow scares me, and I find myself

"Like one that on a lonesome road
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And having once turned round walks on
And turns no more his head,
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread."

And so, dear Henderson, walk with me, "and the devil may pipe to his own" till our designs shall have ripened into the fullest bloom of victory, - then we'll have our day. I sent you a postal yesterday which will understand and use perhaps to advantage. And now let me post you in regard to those who are assistants in the deception, - for you might be approached by persons claiming to be into the secret falsely, and by so doing catch you off guard. Mrs. D.M. Jordan, of the Richmond INDEPENDENT, and Mr. Kinnard here, of the HERALD, are the only ones outside yourself and DEMOCRAT who know of it. The former - Mrs. J. - will be of greatest value to the success of the scheme, and the latter -Mr. Kinnard - in his way, will be no less effective and valuable.

So now you are fortified on that point, and all you have to do is smile inwardly, "and with a lack-luster, dead blue eye" await the unfoldings of it at least a curious future. I believe I have said as little and as much as now is necessary: but you must write me in the meantime, and keep me lubricated with the oily experience which I can but fancy will be yours. Send extra papers.

I shake your hand in silence and in tears; and in the language of Artemus Ward, - "I am here; I think so. Even of those." J.W. Riley

The fact was also that another person knew of the conspiracy. Riley also told his roommate, Jim McClanahan of all the details.

On Monday, Riley wrote Henderson again:

Anderson, Ind. Aug. 6

Dear Henderson:

This from the Indianapolis NEWS of the 4th is rather pointed. Yet i trust it will not have the effect of discouraging you in the least. We can't expect the public to gulp it whole, you know; for they are bound to suspect the "worm" contains a hook. "Patience and shuffle the cards!" The singular reticence of the other dailies may auger good – or bad - time only will disclose; and bear in mind no critic has as yet pronounced upon it. We will give them "a long pull - a strong pull, and a pull all together," and in the meantime let me assure you that my ardor is not in the least dampened. "Mrs. Jordan's review will soon prod them, and your humble servant's likewise, and should you receive letters or coms., select quotations etc. etc., and publish good and bad alike, in order to show your willingness to abide by the public decision - in a measure at least. I find it necessary for surrounding circumstances, to claim in my review that you may perhaps be the victim of a clever deception, and also to rend the tender fabric of the poem to some extent. I do this for the double purpose of directing the attention from your complicity, and to draw attention from my own; and although I evidently strive to condemn the poem, I indirectly furnish more praise than blame - but you understand. Let nothing discourage you, I shall not. I shall watch carefully for any new points, and in case I "drop" on anything, will alter criticism to suit the public appetite.

Write me if any new developments - write anyhow, and tell me you are not discouraged. Yours fraternally, J. W. Riley

--- LATER ---In case my review of the poem should cause any public comment to its detriment, I will furnish you with a private letter in which I will express the belief that the poem is certainly genuine, and you may answer my article by reproducing it - see?

It will be well, perhaps, for you to give me a slur of some kind this week - in response to our notice in last issue. Make it hot - call us jealous, etc. etc.

I notice Harding of the HERALD steps round it as carefully as he would a torpedo. If he'd only bit I could die resigned.

I have examined two or three here with regard to it –but they're wary, and don't want to commit themselves.

Our best literary man says its a GRAND thing, and reads it like a Murdoch. Prof. Hamilton pronounces it a fine thing, but thinks it yours. He knows you, and is almost satisfied that it is your composition. This is all "fruit" for me, you know, and after an interview of this character, I generally "wind up" my face and let it "run down" the other way. I notice that it worries `em, and that's a good sign –a good sign! Another feature, - everybody would like to believe - they want to the worst way, and all we have to do is to exercise proper policy; and as the old man has it "We study to please."

Let nothing shake your first convictions, and although we eventually cry Peocavi, the "euchered" public will be forced not only to forgive, but render homage. And now whatever you do, write to me - Write, and keep me informed as to the welfare or the dangers attending our orphan venture - Very truly, J.W. Riley

The Indianapolis NEWS item referred to by Riley read,"The Kokomo DISPATCH publishes for the first time a poem said to have been written on the fly-leaf of an old book, by Edgar Allan Poe. The poem bears no internal evidence of such paternity." The Harding referred to is Reverend George C. Harding, owner and editor of the Indianapolis Saturday HERALD, one of Indiana's most distinguished editors. The Saturday HERALD commented, "The Kokomo DISPATCH prints what it claims to be an unpublished poem of Edgar A. Poe."

Henderson replied to Riley's letter, saying: THE DISPATCH

Dear Riley: Kokomo, Ind., Aug. 7, 1877.

Your very kind letter was received yesterday. I admire your zeal and join you heartily in the hope of ultimate success. Our people here believe the poem a "true bill." The TRIBUNE folks have interviewed me and I believe I succeeded in "stuffing" them to the muzzle. They feel a trifle jealous of our journalistic "scoop" - hence their reticence. That's their way. If they doubted the genuineness of the story or poem, they would stand on their hind legs and howl furiously. Please send us every extract or notice of the poem you find in the prints with the name of the paper in which you find it. Next week perhaps we will publish all "comments of the press" etc. concerning it. This week will be too early to hear from them. Be sure to send me Mrs. Jordan's notice. We don't get the INDEPENDENT. I will keep you posted. Do the same with me. Write. Fraternally, J.O. Henderson

On August 9th, the Kokomo DISPATCH published an item stating "Our Edgar Allan Poe poem, published in last week's DISPATCH, is creating quite a flutter over the country. The literary critics are giving it the closest scrutiny."

Henderson continued to risk his professional prestige and that of his newspaper in participating in this hoax. The same day, he wrote Riley as follows:

THE DISPATCH Dear Riley: Kokomo, Ind. Aug. 9,1877.

The dawn of success is breaking, and every day brings us fresh evidence of ultimate triumph. Glory! The N.Y. HERALD of last Friday, Aug. 5, is before me and it has nibbled. It republished the entire article from The DISPATCH, comments on poem and credits it to The DISPATCH; so did The N.Y. SUN last Tuesday. The Rochester UNION-SPY (Ind.) also publishes the entire article. Soon we shall hear its thunder reverberating through the length and breadth of the Union! It is a success. The plot or story that we told in introducing the poem seems to somewhat disarm criticism. Think of the N.Y. HERALD, the grandest journal in Christendom, gulping it down! Riley, your fame is assured! You are destined to become a second Thomas Chatterton! Shake!

I am sanguine and overjoyed for your sake. I feel that the poem has merit that should place it in the front ranks of poetry in America. Hail, conquering hero! Fraternally, J.C. Henderson

P.S. The reticence of the Cincinnati papers is strange indeed. I sent them all copies. Keep on the lookout and write me every paper that refers to it. J.C.H.

The only comment of the New York HERALD was in its headline: "EDGAR ALLAN POE - An Indiana Journal Professes to Have Exhumed a Hitherto Unpublished Poem - Inscription on an Old Fly-Leaf." The New York SUN published a condensed version of the DISPATCH story and the complete poem, but without any headlines or comments.

Riley wrote Henderson a letter the same day with this letterhead:

---WILLIAM R. MYERS ------------

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW

COLLECTIONS MADE A SPECIALTY

"All claims entrusted to his care will be attended to without fear, favor or affection. Anderson, Ind. Aug. 9, 1877

Dear Henderson:

The JOURNAL this morning "nibbles," and other papers will zip it - in consequence the J. will be forced to champion the poem. I can't tell you how sanguine of success I now am. I can only exclaim, in the delirious eloquence of the gifted Poe, - " W H O O P ! " A steady nerve is all that is now required. Keep me informed of any new phases. I will send you Richmond paper when it appears.

Have only time to write this. Yours, J.W. Riley

The next day, Riley wrote to Henderson again:

Anderson, Aug. 10

Dear Henderson: -- 1877 --

I presume you have seen New York SUN of the 7th., and Cincinnati GAZETTE of yesterday - both got it - bad! The SUN reproduces a portion of your editorial, and the poem entire, but ventures no comment of its own. The GAZETTE heads article "An Old Poem by Poe." It must surely bring some critic to the fore ere long.

I have written my review in a way that will be apt to awaken a reply from some quarter, and I shall mark the article and ship it to the four winds. Why don't you write? I hope you are not losing faith, or becoming "tired now and sleepy too" - for - God bless us – we are certainly at the very threshold of success! I am eager for the fray. That the poem has merit is established, you see, and all we have now to do is "Hold the Fort!" till our own good time, and in the meantime aggravate controversy from every possible quarter. Can't you come over and see me. If we could talk for one square hour we could make ourselves believe it! That's what we want - is to get together –Come over to-night or tomorrow - or Sunday - anytime that will suit you - only come. Yours "Till death us do part." J.W, Riley

That same day Riley finished his review of "Leonainie" for publication in his own newspaper, The Anderson DEMOCRAT. As the day progressed, Riley's review was set up in type, placed in the form and was waiting press time when Riley decided to withdraw it from that day's issue. He then added a section to Henderson's letter before mailing:

--- LATER ---

I have "weakened" at the last moment. I have been afraid of my review, - I mean the effect of it - Is it right or wrong? I have withheld it from this issue. I will be sure I'm right before I go ahead. I send proof of it for your inspection. Examine carefully - mark what new points may strike you - suggest - etc. etc., and I'll hash it over for next issue - `Twill be better maybe for the delay: tho' I much regret that I am not better assured of the success of the article. You know the object of it all - now criticize it impartially, and tell me how I may improve it. I do wish you would come over - Come, in god's name if possible.

Yours etc. J.W. Riley

Riley's request that Henderson come to Anderson should be put into perspective. Henderson was a co-owner of the Kokomo newspaper and Riley was an Associate Editor of his, merely an employee. Henderson simply couldn't leave his newspaper to come to Anderson.

Both the Anderson HERALD and DEMOCRAT were published on Fridays. Kinnard when he learned of the "Leonainie" story in the DISPATCH of August 2d then wrote the following for his newspaper, The HERALD:

"We expect a rhapsody of jealous censure from the jingling editor of the sheet across the way, and shall wait with the first anxiety ever experienced for the appearance of the DEMOCRAT. We look for an exhausting and damning criticism from Riley, who will doubtless fail to see "Leonainie's" apocryphal merit, and discover its obvious faults. As it is, we were led to believe "Leonainie," to quote from Riley, is a "superior quality of the poetical fungus, which springs from the decay of better thoughts." No doubt our young friend Riley will belittle this poem and say it is not the work of Poe. But it is Poe, and Poe's best manner."

At the last minute, Riley decided to publish his review of the poem and stopped the press, already printing that week's issue, to make room for his review. This did not endear Riley to the press foreman. The review reads as follows:

THE POET POE IN KOKOMO

An alleged important literary discovery was announced by The Kokomo DISPATCH in its issue of last week, in which the following extract from a lush and juicy article occurs:

(Riley repeated the full Kokomo DISPATCH article and poem,

"Leonainie.")

We frankly admit that upon first reading the article, we inwardly resolved not to be startled; in fact we resolved to ignore it entirely; but a sense of justice due - if not to Poe, to the poem - has induced us to let slip a few remarks. We have given the matter not a little thought; and in what we shall have to say regarding it, we will say with purpose far superior to prejudicial motives, and with the earnest effort of beating through the gloom a path-way to the light of truth. Passing the many assailable points of the story regarding the birth and late discovery of the poem, we will briefly consider first - IS POE THE AUTHOR OF IT?

That a poem contains some literary excellence is not assurance that its author is a genius known to fame, for how many waifs of richest worth are now afloat upon the literary sea whose authors are unknown and whose nameless names have never marked the graves that hid their value from the world; and in the present instance we have no right to say, -"This is Poe's work - for who but Poe could mould a name like LEONAINIE?" and all that sort of flighty flummery. Let us look deeper down, and pierce below the glare and gurgle of the surface, and analyze it at its real worth. Now we are ready to consider, - IS THE THEME of the poem one that Poe would have been likely to select? We think not; for we have good authority showing that Poe had a positive aversion to children, and especially to babies. And then again, the thought embodied in the very opening line is not new - or at least the poet has before expressed it when he speaks of that "rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore," and a careful analysis of the remainder of the stanza fails to discover a single quality above mere change of form or transposition.

The second verse will be a more difficult matter to contest; for we find in it throughout not only Poe's peculiar bent of thought, but new features of that weird facility of attractively combing with the delicate and beautiful, the dread and repulsive - a power most rarely manifest, and quite beyond the bounds of IMITATION. In fact, the only flaw we find at which to pick, is the strange omission of capitals beginning the personified words "joy" and "doom." This, however, may be an error of the compositor's, but not probably.

The third stanza drops again. True, it gives us some new thoughts, but of very secondary worth compared with the foregoing, and is such commonplace diction the Poe- characteristic is almost entirely lost. The first line in the concluding stanza, although embodying a highly poetical idea, is not at all like Poe; but rather so UNLIKE, and for such weighty reasons we are almost assured that the thought could not have emanated with him.

It is a fact less known than remarkable that Poe avoided the name of the Deity. Although he never tires of angels and the heavenly cherubim, the word God seems strangely ostracized. That this is true, one has but to search his poems; and we feel we are safe in the assertion that in all he has ever written the word God is not mentioned twenty times. In further evidence of this peculiar aversion of the poet's, we quote his utterance, -

"`Oh, Heaven! oh, God! How my heart beats in coupling those two words."

The remainder of the concluding verse is mediocre till the few lines that compete it - and there again the Poe- element is strongly marked.

To sum up the poem as a whole we are at some loss. It most certainly contains rare attributes of grace and beauty; and although we have not the temerity to accuse the gifted Poe of its authority, for equal strength of reason we cannot deny that it is his production; but as for the enthusiastic editor of the DISPATCH, we are not included, as yet, to the belief that he is wholly impervious to the wiles of a deception. J.W. Riley

Paul Henderson, the author and compositor of this series of letters, newspaper articles and background of notes, calls this review by Riley "a masterpiece of subtle chicanery. Setting the scene with his sly reference to the poem's merit: "...a sense of justice due - if not to Poe – to the poem," Riley had the impudence to refer to his own pet theory: "...that a poem contains some literary excellence is not assurance that its author is a genius known to fame!""

Riley then analyzes the poem revealing his own great knowledge of Poe's style as well as acclaiming his own poem as one "of grace and beauty."

The next day, Riley wrote Henderson:

Anderson, Aug. 11 `77

Dear Henderson:

"I wrote you yesterday that I would not publish my review this week, but receiving a letter from a literary friend in Indianapolis,  enclosing "Leonainie," I stopped the press in time to insert my article for benefit of more notable exchanges at least. I think it was best, for my criticism will do everything to throw them from the agent.

And now do you think it will be a good idea for me to write you a "put up" letter, praising the poem and expressing a belief in its  genuineness? Write me at once - or come over. Id' come to you - but can't possibly leave work out before me.

Yours in the bonds -J.W. Riley

"Will send Richmond papers as soon as they appear."

Henderson then wrote Riley a letter on the next Monday afternoon:

THE DISPATCH Dear Riley: Kokomo, Ind.,

Aug. 13, 1877.

Your two letters Saturday received. I would like to visit you ever so well but can't get away for two weeks at least. My brother and partner has gone to Baltimore, Md., and per consequence I am tied at home. Have you seen notice in N.Y. WORLD, TRIBUNE, POST; Chicago TRIBUNE, INTER-OCEAN, Cincinnati papers, COURIER JOURNAL? I am saving all notices and will publish them this or next week. Your notice in DEMOCRAT is capital; so is HERALD'S, but it sounds like you all over.

Our plot is developing rapidly. The ball is now fairly in motion and will not stop until it reaches every State in the Union. No article was ever published in a "country" paper in the State that has had such a run as this has and will have. The end is not yet. I am anxious to see The ATLANTIC, SCRIBNER'S MONTH, etc. They are the critics. Send me all extracts you find. Get WORLD'S if possible. We do not get the paper here. Would be happy to receive a visit from you if only for one night. Fraternally, J.O. Henderson

It should be noted that the two had not yet figured out how they would release the secret of the hoax.

It should also be noted that we know Riley was at the point of physical collapse at this point in his life. He was both writing and  editorializing at his regular work for The DEMOCRAT and trying to cope with the strain of his hoax.

On Wednesday morning, the Editor of The DEMOCRAT, Croan, sensing Riley's near breakdown, suggested that Riley go to Kokomo to work out a definite plan. He could take the Panhandle railroad connection at 1:20 P.M. and get to Kokomo a couple of hours before Henderson's newspaper went to press. A problem was the manuscript on the fly-leaf of an old book.

Croan suggested he take a book with him to Kokomo and selected out of a small book-case beside his desk an Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary with a blank fly-leaf. Croan also knew of a facsimile of Poe's handwriting from a back issue of Scribner's Magazine. Croan went to see a friend he knew who kept back issues of Scribner's and found the facsimile poem in the September 1875 issue by tracing through the annual index of the previous December. The poem was "Alone" and was said to have been written when Poe left West Point in 1829 - at about the time Riley would have been about twenty.

Riley needed a forger and knew where to find one in an artistic friend of his. Riley went to see his friend Sam Richards at his boarding house but Sam had gone to Indianapolis and wasn't due back until late that night.

Riley left a note with the boarding house owner to be given to Richards the minute he returned to Anderson and then went to see his Graphics friend, Will Ethel. Riley didn't want to buy the "pale ink of a bluish tinge" himself and needed a friend to buy it for Sam to use on his forgery which Ethel did.

The next morning, Sam Richards came to The DEMOCRAT office. Riley gave him the book with the fly-leaf, his own copy of "Leonainie" and the bottle of ink from Will Ethel.

He also gave him the facsimile poem of Poe's as a model. Riley said he had to have the poem on the flyleaf by 1:20 to take to Kokomo.  Initially, Richards tried to do the job at The DEMOCRAT office but Riley hovered over him so he couldn't do it and said he was going to take it back to his own room to work on. Riley agreed but said he was coming up to see how he was doing in an hour. When Riley went, Richards said he was still practicing on Poe's handwriting and wasn't going to do it without "perfection." Meanwhile Riley was pacing around because he had to make a train to Kokomo with the forgery at 1:20.

After Riley left, Richards went back to work. He showed up at Riley's office at The DEMOCRAT to say he had not been able to get more than the first verse done on the fly-leaf.

Although Riley was taken aback and very disappointed, a coincidence happened. A compositor of Henderson's own newspaper, the DISPATCH, happened to be visiting Riley's newspaper to talk to a friend who was a pressman there. The man, Will Siddell, had come to Anderson to see his sick mother and decided to stop in for a visit. When Riley learned of this he decided not to go to Kokomo until the next day but instead to have this Will Siddell tell Henderson about the forgery. Will Siddell took notes that would permit Henderson to write up the forgery document for his next issue. Riley told him about the Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary, the pale, blueish ink on both sides of a single sheet, or fly-leaf, taken from the back of the book, writing remarkably clear, can be read as easily as print, though dimmed by time and exposure. Riley told Siddell to make sure Henderson knew he himself would be over with the forged document on the next day's train.

On the next morning, Thursday, August 16th, Henderson got a letter from a Boston publisher and sent Riley a letter about it. Henderson's letter was hasty because he wanted Riley to have it that day. This meant he had to post it on the 9:35 "Panhandle" train to Anderson for Riley to get it at about 1:00 P.M. when the train would arrive at Anderson.

Henderson knew something must be done. Disastrous exposure of the hoax would surely follow if no manuscript was in his hands.

THE DISPATCH J.W. Riley Kokomo, Ind.,

Aug. 16, 1877

I have just received a letter from WM. F. GILL & CO., Publishers, at Boston, requesting me to forward original MSS, of our Poe's poem. Mr. Gill has just written and published a "Life of Poe" and writes that he has the MSS. of his "Bells." He says he can identify his MSS beyond cavil and such identification would be of value to me. I send you his letter and notice of his book which please return to me at once. What shall I write him! Where is original MSS? Notices still come in - latterly from the South, Baltimore, etc.

Send me all your clippings. I will need them by Friday or Saturday to publish in next week's DISPATCH - outside. I would like to see you but can't leave office until my brother returns. "Nothing succeeds like success," and this is a success. Watch "Monthlies" closely. Write. Fraternally, J.O.Henderson.

Henderson then had his office boy take the letter to the train for dispatch to Anderson. Later that day, Will Siddell arrived from Anderson with Riley's message that he would be over the next day with the forged poem and its description.

Based on Siddell's notes, Henderson edited in the description to a previously written article for his newspaper as follows:

"The furor over our discovery of Poe's remarkable and hitherto unpublished poem - the sweet and beautiful "Leonainie," is just not in its insipiency. The poem is traveling like wild-fire all over the country, and the ablest critics in the land have leveled their lenses upon it. If we have been the victim of a deception, we are as willing as anybody to know it. We believe in the paternity of the poem and can await with complacency the verdict of the reading public. The original MS., together with the book from which the leaves were torn, are now in our possession.

The book is one of an old edition of "Ainsworth's Dictionary," considerably time-worn. The poem is written in pale ink of blueish tinge on the fly-leaf taken from the back of the book. The chirography is remarkably clear and can be read as easily as print. Of course it is somewhat dimmed by time and exposure. It is written on both sides of a single leaf. The MS will be sent East to critics for examination and judgment. The poem is indeed remarkable, and its accidental discovery is a valuable contribution to American literature."

Henderson slipped up here by saying he had the MS. "now" since in the original announcement he stated he took the MS into his possession which would have been two weeks previous.

Another article in the same DISPATCH newspaper edition was an "out and out" lie. Referring to the Friday previous, Henderson wrote the enclosed article for publication:

J. W. Riley, the Hoosier poet, was in the city last Friday, and of course called at the DISPATCH office. He is a bright, sparkling conversationalist, and a more excellent elocutionist. Riley writes rhymes as easily as he writes prose. He is probably the ablest poet in Indiana. He is considerably "shook up" over our Poe's poem discovery. While he shakes his head in seeming doubt, it is evident that he believes "Leonainie" to be worthy of Poe. While here he examined the original MS., and a perplexed expression o the countenance told he was considerably worried over it, if not entirely "at sea".

Later that same Thursday, Richards brought Riley the completed forgery of the poem on the fly-leaf. It was a beautiful piece of work identical with the facsimile of Poe's writing from Scribner's. Riley showed the forgery to Croan and both agreed that Riley could spend Friday night in Kokomo, perhaps with Charley Philips, the Editor of the rival newspaper to the DISPATCH. Then Riley said he would go down to Greenfield to spend the weekend with his family.

The next afternoon, Friday, Riley got on the 1:20 "Panhandle" train to Kokomo carrying the old Dictionary wrapped in brown paper with   "Leonainie" on its fly-leaf.

Once in Kokomo, Riley took a round-about path to the DISPATCH office which was on the second floor of the Kokomo "opera house" block on Railroad Street at the North-West corner of Court House Square, facing the Square. He did this to avoid being seen by his good friend, Charles Philips, whose Kokomo TRIBUNE office was also on Railroad Street. When Riley arrived at the office, he met Henderson for the first time.

The session was a "great time" with both laughing gleefully and with great chuckles at how everyone was deceived.

Later the two however began to argue about how to bring closure to the hoax. Riley proposed that Charles Philips of the Kokomo TRIBUNE, Henderson's great rival, be contacted and that the hoax be revealed through that newspaper. Henderson exploded. He did not like the plan and told Riley that he was the one who would have to live in the town after the hoax was over. The two agreed to think of another plan. Henderson asked Riley to spend the night since there was no train back to Anderson that night, but Riley declined. He was going to see his friend Charles Philips and anticipated spending the night there as he had on many occasions.

When Riley looked up Charles Philips at the TRIBUNE office, Charley asked him what he was doing in Kokomo. Riley said he came to see the "Leonainie" MS. Riley told Charley that he saw it and Henderson kept it in his office safe.

Riley further said the poem certainly sounded good enough for Poe. Then Riley spent the night at Charles Philips home.

While staying in Kokomo, Riley wrote his Anderson girlfriend, Kit Myers, saying:

Dear Kit: Kokomo, Ind. August 18, 1877

I write to tell you how happy I am, and yet how miserable; happy that I find my pet schemes here in such lovely working order, and miserable that I can't tell you about them verbally - never mind - I'll have whole cantos to tell you when we meet again, and soon.

I have only time now to write you these few words, for I'm to take a jaunt this morning thro' Ko-ko-mo, the new way of saying it - behind the laziest horse the market affords.

The eds. of both papers are making a lion of me, which you, knowing my weakness, will accept as the best of reasons for my present blissful condition and brevity of letter talks.

Write to me at once, won't you, at Greenfield, for I will be there Monday at the fartherest. Love to all my friends, and for yourself, the warmest love of `Mr. Riley'

From that day's Kokomo TRIBUNE, Charles Philips had written the following personal:

J.W. Riley, of the Anderson DEMOCRAT, the author of the strange and fantastical poem, "Craquedoom," published in these columns several weeks ago, is in the city, and gave us a pleasant call last evening. Riley is becoming well-known throughout the country for his original compositions and he has a bright future before him.

Riley left for Greenfield on late Saturday afternoon. He was so close to complete physical exhaustion that his short holiday extend to nearly two weeks in Greenfield.

The next Monday, August 20th, was a critical day in the life of the "hoax." Metcalf, Kinnard's partner at the Anderson HERALD had learned that Riley wrote "Leonainie" from a person he called a "young man" and came into the HERALD office to see Kinnard. He was determined that they should expose the hoax. Kinnard was forced to tell Metcalf that he knew of the hoax and could not reveal it in their newspaper.

Despite every argument, Kinnard refused to budge. The news spread around Anderson, however, that Riley was the author of "Leonainie." When Riley's Editor, Croan, heard the rumors he wrote Riley that he needed to get back to Anderson, but this day Riley had decided to go to Indianapolis to visit his friend, George Harding, Editor of the Indianapolis Saturday HERALD. During the visit, Riley told Harding of seeing the "poe" manuscript. Riley was trying to build up discussion of the "manuscript." This visit did result in a the following notice in The Indianapolis Saturday HERALD:

The HERALD was favored on Monday last with a call from one of Indiana's favorite poets - Mr. J.W. Riley, of the Anderson DEMOCRAT. Mr. Riley had just returned from a trip to Kokomo, where he had gone for the purpose of investigating the authenticity of the alleged Poe poem, discovered by the editor of the Kokomo DISPATCH. Mr. Riley reports favorably to the honesty of the claim put forward by the editor of the DISPATCH. Whatever may be the facts, he firmly believes in the authenticity of the poem and guards it with jealous care. The book, on the fly leaves of which the poem is written, is kept under double lock and key, and it was only by tearful pleading that Mr. Riley was permitted a sight of it. The discoverer stood uneasily by while Riley studied the faded manuscript, and heaved a great sigh of relief when the precious volume was once more locked up in the safe."

On Tuesday, Metcalf still could not convince his partner that the Anderson HERALD should expose the hoax and so he wrote the full details of the hoax to Charles Philips of the Kokomo TRIBUNE. Apparently he decided that if his newspaper couldn't benefit by exposure of the hoax, he would give the benefit of it to another newspaper, the Kokomo TRIBUNE. Also Metcalf did not tell his partner Croan that he had written the letter.

At this point it should be mentioned that the poem "Leonainie" had traveled from coast to coast and particularly in the press of the East. Once the publicity about the poem had reached the East, it was re-published from the great Eastern newspapers of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to those newspapers that fed on their exchanges.

Between August 2d and August 25th, 1877, the Kokomo DISPATCH story with the "Leonainie" poem in it was reprinted in at least thirty-five cities in seventeen of the nation's then thirty-eight states exclusively of Indiana. Literally, from Boston to Portland, Oregon, from New York to San Francisco, from Philadelphia to Richmond and Savannah, from Chicago to Nashville, the poem "Leonainie" was printed. Not one of the newspapers in any of these places accompanied the article with editorial comment. Most tellingly however was the fact that not one of the newspapers also believed that Edgar Allan Poe had actually written "Leonainie." Not one was fooled.

From the New York EVENING POST of August 7th, '...a poetic sin has been laid at (Poe's) door..."

From the Philadelphia COMMONWEALTH of August 8th, "...The gin mills of Maryland and the Old Dominion never turned out liquor bad enough to debase the genius of Poe to the level of these wretched verses..."

From the New York WORLD of August 8th came the suggestion that a renegade of young men in a boisterous literary club called "The Perforators" were probably behind the hoax.

From the Baltimore AMERICAN of August 9th, "...The unfortunate poet (Poe) was no doubt guilty of many indiscretions, but it is hard to suppose that in his most eccentric mood he could ever have penned such wretched doggerel as that which is now attempted to be fastened on him under the name of "Leonainie..."

From the Brooklyn DAILY EAGLE of August 9th, "The composition is wild enough to have been written under the influence of Egyptian or Terre Haute whiskey, and possesses, therefore, what an eminent journalist of this city defines as a local flavor..."

From the Philadelphia PRESS of August 9th, "...If Poe wrote it, he probably intended to call it `La Inane.'"

From the Nashville DAILY AMERICAN of August 10th, "(Poe) will surely pay his respects to the scalp of the Indiana man who brought it out."

From the Richmond ENQUIRER of August 10th, "It is fair to presume that the discoverer of `Poe's Unpublished Poem' wishes that he had kept his secret..."

From the New York DAILY GRAPHIC of August 15th, "Set your nonsense to music and announce that it is copied from Edgar A. Poe's lost memorandum book, and it will travel from the South Pole to Symme's Hole and excite the wildest enthusiasm."

From the Denver ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS of August 16th,"... Now we can easily imagine the ebon darkness of the maiden's hair, but the `bloomy moonshine' of her eyes is what troubles us. Were they white eyes, shining in the night?"

From the Detroit FREE PRESS of August 16th, "...`Bloomy moonshine.' One sees that kind best while hanging on to the lamp post."

From the Oakland DAILY TRANSCRIPT of August 19th comes the thought that "Leonainie" should have been signed "Pooh!' instead of with the initials E.A.P.

Nevertheless, in almost every account there is the statement of the hoax that the poem "fooled even William Cullen Bryant." This singular misstatement comes from the fact that Bryant, even though in his eighty-third year at the time, still wrote regular reviews and probably wrote the one for the New York EVENING POST.

The "grand expose" appeared on Saturday morning. It was written in the Kokomo TRIBUNE, the rival newspaper of Henderson's DISPATCH. The article was written by the doughty owner and fire-eating senior editor of the TRIBUNE, Theophilus C. Philips, who had been anxious for some time to "take down" Henderson, who he called the fresh "collegiate boy editor." On page four of the August 25th TRIBUNE appeared the following headline:

LEONAINIE

---

EXPOSE OF A CONTEMPTIBLE FRAUD.

---

A RISING YOUNG MAN IN A SMALL BUSINESS.

---

A KOKOMO NEWSPAPER, SEEKING FAME, SUCCEEDS IN COVERING ITSELF WITH INFAMY.

---

THE MOST ASTOUNDING LYING ON RECORD.

The columns of this paper are witnesses that we have attributed to young J.W. Riley, of Anderson, or rather of Hancock County, talent beyond one of his age and experience. We regret sincerely to expose him in a piece of fraud that will let him down many notches in the estimation of his former friends.

A few weeks ago, after writing and re-writing the poem, `Leonainie,' imitating the style of Poe, he conceived the idea that if he could get it out upon the world as Poe's production and afterwards establish himself as the author, he would make a world-wide fame at one jump. But the effort to reach fame by such a deception shows that his talent is more than ever balanced by his lack of moral perception and mother wit. Having concocted his plans, he looked about for an obscure paper in which to bring out the poem, for the more obscure the paper the less likely that the fraud would be suspected. Mr. Riley found in The DISPATCH, of this city, a willing tool, a paper anxious for fame and unable to reach it by climbing in the regular way. It was a bold attempt. If it succeeded all would be well, and they, the young man, author and editors, in the exuberancy of their youth, never dreamed but that the deception would take like wild-fire. As the verdant young man who picks up a pair of boots in a store and takes them away without paying for them, only to be caught and sent to jail, these youths attempted a bold trick, but one as gauzy as bobinet.

But to come to the story: Mr. Riley put "Leonainie" into the hands of The DISPATCH. On August 2d, inst., they published it under head-lines and the positive statements, that they believed it written by Poe. They pledged their honor to the truth of all they said in regard to it.

After it was out, under the direction of Mr. Riley, copies of The DISPATCH were sent to all the leading newspapers, magazines, and authors of the country. The answer that was returned just about crushed Mr. Riley. The DISPATCH did not seem aware of its misery, but actually paraded the criticisms in its columns, changing some of them that pronounced positively against the fraud, so as to make them read like quasi endorsements. Those who saw the criticisms must have noticed that everybody who had intelligence and discernment recognized the fraud, while a few inexperienced persons, who probably never read Poe, waxed enthusiastic over the poem. Mr. Riley himself wrote a criticism in which he admitted some of the lines were, indeed, Poeish. But the worst of the story is yet to come. One of the eastern publishers to whom the paper, containing the poem was addressed, wrote the editors of The DISPATCH to send them the original manuscript, saying they were familiar with the lamented poet's chirography, etc., and they offered to pay all expenses, and to faithfully return the same to Kokomo. Here was a dilemma. The DISPATCH folks decided at once what they would do. They sent a letter to Anderson with a request. There, a very old copy of Ainsworth's dictionary was procured and an expert penman placed the poem on the fly-leaf in writing as near like Poe's as possible, a recent number of Scribner's Monthly containing a facsimile of the poet's chirography. Mr. Riley carried that book to this city, himself, on Friday of last week for the purpose of having it forwarded east. Much might have been written about this attempt at a swindle but we have only sorrow and pity for all concerned and are willing to let the matter rest. Every honorable person will be astonished that such a trick should have been attempted. Had Mr. Riley published the poem as his own it would have given him additional credit, for it is really good for a young man just beginning a literary course. Hereafter, whatever he writes, no matter how good, will go out at a discount, and no poem bearing his name will be incontrovertible with pure literary currency. Had the DISPATCH published `Leonainie' without the flourish of so many trumpets, it might have crawled out of its present position by announcing the poem as quiet joke. But it has placed it in one scale and its honor, reputation, classical knowledge and truthfulness in the other. `Great literary treasure,' for the present, farewell. We know exactly what The DISPATCH and Mr. Riley will say; we know the testimony they will adduce. When they are through, we shall puncture their bubble again. P.S. Since J. Oscar first got the old book from a gentleman in this city, whom he says is `unlearned and illiterate' and had Riley's `Leonainie" place on a fly-leaf, how does it happen that a second old Ainsworth had to be procured at Anderson in order to have a copy sent East? Boys, how do you feel? Have you sent Gill a copy yet? Never mind, this week's TRIBUNE will suit him as well. J.W. Riley hit the nail on the head when he selected The DISPATCH as a paper willing to pledge its brains and honor to a falsehood and swindle, but we are surprised that he didn't know there was another paper here smart enough to gather in every point of the attempted fraud. Poor boys, we really feel sorry for them.

Also in this issue of The TRIBUNE was another bite: "`Leonainie,' poor girl, has already fallen into the arms of doom...`Leonainie' has evaporated into `bloomy moonshine.'" "...It was with tears in his eyes that J.W. Riley told us he `had come all the way from Anderson to see that manuscript of Poe's(?) poem, but he was afraid J. Oscar wouldn't let him look at it." " ...`The angels framed `Leonainie' in a smile white, but the boys lay her out on the fly-leaves of two old dictionaries" "...For silly, lying, verdant deception, and gauzy smartness, the `Leonainie' fraud beats anything we ever saw..." "The comments on `Leonainie,' which The DISPATCH editors published this week are a total`give-away' for that paper, one of the extracts have been garbled and remodled until the editors have manufactured indorsements out of burlesque paragraphs."

This is the article which the Editor of the DISPATCH, Henderson, saw as he read the Saturday morning rival newspaper. He wasted little time and went down to the Court House Square and then over to the rival newspaper to Talk to Charley Philips. Philips greeted him derisively and Henderson acknowledged that the joke on him. He confirmed the truth of the statements in The TRIBUNE and then said it was fun while it lasted. Philips did tell Henderson that a letter from Anderson two or three days before gave him the details of the hoax. Henderson tried to find out who wrote the letter but Philips would only say the writer was "young man" who was a most intimate friend of Riley. Henderson wrote Riley upon his return to the newspaper office.

Aug. 25, `77

------------

"Saturday, 10 A.M.

Dear Riley:

The Tribune of this city, this morning, published the enclosed Expose of `Leonainie.' They tell me that they never `tumbled' until they received a letter from a gentleman at Anderson the other day `exposing' the poem. They say the `exposer' is a young man - a most intimate friend of yours. It is Mr. K., I presume. You see they seem to think they have earned a place in glory for their `expose.' What shall we do? Of course, we must explain the matter next Thursday - but how? In order to scoop The TRIBUNE again, would it not be well to acknowledge the poem, plea manly and turn the joke on them? In this wise: Say that J.W. Riley is the father of the poem; that he selected The DISPATCH as the proper medium which he would send his poem to the world; he selected The DISPATCH on account of its high merit as a weekly paper, its well known literary tastes, and above all, its wide-extended circulation; that we entered into the plot and helped to play the ruse merely as a clever journalistic coup de main, that the poem is worthy of Longfellow, Poe, etc.; praise it and you very highly; say that you had a half dozen men as witnesses, with three more at Anderson, of the genuineness of the poem; that you and I arranged with a friend in Anderson to write to The TRIBUNE under cover of secrecy and `expose' the ruse, knowing that they would do it heartily and with all their soul, hoping thereby to `get even' with The DISPATCH; that thus we made a cat's-paw out of The TRIBUNE and accomplished our end, etc. - and then take a hearty laugh over the ruse, The TRIBUNE'S dilemma, etc. What say you, Riley? Don't you think it a capital idea? You know we must`fess up' next Thursday anyway. Let us turn the laugh. Write me immediately. If you please you may also write or block out reply to TRIBUNE and I will compare with mine. Do this at once and write me. I would like very much to have a poem from you, over your own signature written for The DISPATCH. It would help us to pacify the public mind and extricate ourself from the charge of duplicity, etc. Please write something for The DISPATCH as soon as possible. I feel that much is due the paper, don't you? Our readers would laugh heartily over the little ruse, forgive us for our part, and love you the more when they should read a poem openly by you in The DISPATCH. I would suggest that you write a parody or something after the style of `Leonainie,' poking fun at The TRIBUNE and `exposing' the `Expose' of `Leonainie.' Such a poem would come in capitally. Write me at once. Fraternally, J.O. Henderson

Riley received the letter in Greenfield on Monday, August 27, 1877. He remained in Greenfield instead of going back to work in Anderson  because he was unable to control his drinking or depression. He did however walk to the Greenfield post office where he found Henderson's letter with The TRIBUNE's expose. He read it after he got back to the Riley home at the Seminary. He also read The Indianapolis JOURNAL editorial of that day stating:

The Kokomo TRIBUNE , of Saturday, exposes a fraud on the part of The DISPATCH of that city, and J.W. Riley, the poet of the Anderson DEMOCRAT. Some time ago The DISPATCH claimed to have found in that city, on the fly-leaves of an old book, a poem by Edgar A. Poe, hitherto unknown, which it published under the title `Leonainie.' The TRIBUNE claims that this was written by J.W. Riley for the purpose of enabling him to achieve a little reputation, by claiming the authorship after the prose had pronounced a favorable verdict. But the favorable verdict was not awarded, and now the whole plot, in all of its littleness, is exposed. The facts given by The TRIBUNE are corroborated by private information of the JOURNAL from Anderson.

That same day Riley wrote to Henderson, as follows:

Greetings: It's a trifle warm! Greenfield, Aug. 27 - `77

Dear Henderson:

Unfortunately your letter of Saturday did not reach me till too late for me to strike to-day's mail - in consequence this may not reach you till too late to be of any service. I will say briefly that I do not like the idea of being compelled to confess the fraud before real critical tests have been applied. It has not gone too far - The TRIBUNE'S expose can be successfully refuted even tho' you have verbally acknowledged its truth. You can claim that their story was manufactured for them by me, and for the purpose of claiming a poem whose excellence I envied - don't you see. Treat the matter with the same complacency that has marked your past course, and express regret that one so full of promise could stoop to such a depth, and all that sorto'stuff. Claim that my visit to Kokomo was to hatch the scheme with the Philips, and that you suspected some trickery of me and treachery from my first appearance in your office. Another thing you can mystify the Philips with but it must be done indirectly. Let someone,  apparently his friend, tell him that Riley has put up the job on him, for if the Anderson man was my friend why did he give me away - say that it rather looks like he - Philips - had bit at the very thing I wanted. O we can mystify anything they can pit against us! I have a friend here who has written a letter to the SENTINEL, Indianapolis, which will perhaps appear in tomorrow's issue - look for it, and I think you'll find a cue for a better course than yet to confess. When we get ready we'll confess, and I really think we can select our own good time. Yours in the bonds, J.W. Riley

Write me in plain envelopes. My course will perhaps be silence dark and deep.

---LATER ---

I have just written to have a letter `cooked' at Anderson, which if it reaches its proper destination will bother the public wonderfully, and be particularly unwholesome for Metcalf of the HERALD, and the TRIBUNE. It will be claimed that Metcalf is my tool, and that the story he gives The TRIBUNE is of my own manufacture - for I am satisfied that Metcalf and not Kinnard gave them the story.

That I am right I think you will agree when I tell you I had word direct from Anderson last week that Metcalf had threatened to give full expose in HERALD - Well, he didn't - why? - because Kinnard wouldn't have it, and so he sneakingly sends it to The TRIBUNE, and posts them to tell you that they got it of a young man, and my intimate friend in order to make you acknowledge - see?

Well, if this ruse works and I'm almost certain it will - it will cripple them too badly to ever smile again. Then we can go on till our own good time. Yours ever, J.W. Riley

In the meantime to more confuse the listening public, you hatch up a letter from Kokomo to The Indianapolis JOURNAL in which you shall claim that the whole plot was concocted by The DISPATCH and TRIBUNE jointly for the purpose of notoriety to each, and that it was originally written by Judge Biddle, and never published till several years and years ago in Logansport PHAROS - and that the copy - doctored somewhat-is now in your possession - you being a civilian, and sign bogus name. Do this and we have another barricade from danger.

Here is Riley, “the mischievous,” at work big time!

This day, Riley also wrote a "pseudonymous" letter - which he signed "W," his middle initial - to the Indianapolis SENTINEL which in fact was published the next day:

To the Editor of The SENTINEL:

Sir - I notice in this morning's Indianapolis JOURNAL a covert attempt to claim for their poet, J.W. Riley, of this place, the authorship of the lately discovered poem of Edgar A. Poe, the beautiful and mysterious `Leonainie' which has for some weeks been bewildering the literary world. The article referred to apparently sides with an article taken from The Kokomo TRIBUNE, savagely jealous of the good future of the rival paper that discovered the poem. Whether it is indeed Poe's I do not undertake to state, but this much I am assured of, that the well laid plan of Riley, The Kokomo TRIBUNE and The JOURNAL is altogether too thin a proposition to go down in the community. Riley may possess some genius for verse making, but he can't mislead with equal grace, and a recent visit of his to Kokomo points directly to his complicity with The TRIBUNE'S story of the poem's paternity. I have not seen the article as originally published, but that it was written by his own hand I am confident, and guarantee that an inspection of it will testify the fact. Greenfield, Ind.

Nor was Riley so incapacitated that he did not take Henderson's suggestion that he write a poem parody poking fun at "Leonainie." Riley did not however write only one parody. Instead, he wrote two. Writing verse was absolutely no trick at all to him. He wrote doggerel verse all the time for advertising as well as personal instance. When, for example, he would go to visit someone and the person wasn't there, he would often leave a rhymed note to state his reason for the visit or some other thought. Many evidences of this survive.

The first of the doggerel "parodies" he sent not to his fellow conspirator Henderson, but rather to his friend Charles Philips who had just participated in the "expose."

If Philips published it, the "spoof" would mean even more publicity for Riley. Then he wrote another for The Indianapolis Saturday HERALD. Riley had not told Henderson he was sending the parody to his rival newspaper so Riley wrote Henderson a second letter with this information.

The parody he wrote for The Kokomo TRIBUNE was called "Leoloony":

LEOLOONY

Leoloony, angels called her,
And they took the bloom
Of the tickled stars and walled her
In the nom de plume,
And they made her hair of plaited
Midnight, and her eyes of grated
Moonshine, and with her inflated
Me with solemn gloom.

With a solemn gloom of frenzy
For my heart of sin
Blossomed up with influenza
When they brought her in.
Every phase of dissipation
I indulged at this donation --
(For I knew of no foundation
For a joke so thin.)

Only spake the small pretender,
Angel-like and calm,
Yet I, listening, heard her render
"Mary's Little Lamb;"
And she closed the lines by saying
I'd no further need of praying,
For she knew `twas useless playing
Longer such a sham.

Then I grinned, for I was grateful
As a jolly Thug.
And the loss of one so hateful
Overflowed my mug --
Every grain of pain I sifted
From the dust of sin was lifted
As my Leoloony drifted
From me like a bug.

The second parody Riley wrote that day he sent to The Indianapolis Saturday HERALD which published it the following Saturday, September lst:

LEONAINIE

Leonainie - Riley named her,
And he took the glow
Of the `laughing stars,' and framed her
In the style of Poe;
And he chuckled with the notion
Of her voyage of commotion
O'er the literary ocean
With his fame in tow.
He was but a local poet
Full of coy deceit,
And, tho' many didn't know it,
He was `out o' meat;'
And this Leonainie fever
Struck him as the magic lover
To uptip the world and heave her
Worship at his feet.

Only spake the rhythmic lisper
In a jingly strain,
That to critics seemed to whisper -
"All pretense is vain.
I'm too thin for public diet
And I long for calm and quiet
Where unnoticed I may lie at
Rest from every pain!"
Then we smiled at this conclusion -
Pocketed our grief -
Thankful Riley's dread delusion
Had a life so brief.

Every heart but his seemed gifted
With a joy the breezes lifted
Where his Leonainie drifted
Like a withered leaf.

 

The events of Monday after the expose of the hoax were not over. Up in Anderson, Metcalf ran into Riley's roommate, Jim McClanahan on the street. In the course of the conversation, the hoax was brought up and Metcalf suggested to McClanahan that Kinnard had told The TRIBUNE. McClanahan immediately went to Riley's boss at the Anderson DEMOCRAT, Croan. Croan then wrote Riley at Greenfield with the entire conversation's contents.

Meanwhile the evening Indianapolis newspaper carried the following story:

The Kokomo TRIBUNE publishes a long expose of the fraud attempted to be played upon the public by The DISPATCH, in publishing `Leonainie' as a new found poem of Edgar A. Poe. It was very thin imitation by a local poet named Riley who can do much better untrammeled by a model. The  joke was harmless and foolish enough, but it was complicated by an eastern publisher, who sent for the original. The TRIBUNE avows that Riley then got an old copy of Ainsworth's dictionary and had the lines copies into it, and sent the book east. If he did it, it was an exceedingly foolish act, if nothing worse.

The next morning, Riley found Coran's note of the night before at the Greenfield Post Office. When he had returned home he wrote his girlfriend in Anderson:

Dear Kit: Greenfield, Ind., August 28, 1877

I fear one thing has saddened you, and made you anxious on my account. I refer of course to the premature exposure of my Poe imitation. But there is not the slightest fear on that account. I was, I admit, greatly worried when I first heard of the treachery of some pretended friend, but now I am so fortified that I can laugh at the poor weak dupes who sought to injure me. I have been assured that Mr. Kinnard exposed the whole affair, but I do not believe it, and I want you, my dear Kit, to go to him and tell him that I do not doubt him in the least. I like him and my faith in him is perfect as the day I held his hand and said good-bye.

I have not been well for many days or would have written a letter for The DEMOCRAT. So you see I have not forgotten my old love. Whew! but I have bitter enemies in Anderson! I once suspected it, but now I know! and won't I make 'em scringe! My ire is like the storm-scourged surf in that lighthouse poem for I "hold it up and shake it like a fleece!"

In my defense I've been forced to take the most peculiar position imaginable, but I shall not fail! And if you should read some very bitter `Leonainie' squibs, just fancy I'm the author of them all, and know what I'm about. I have written a most atrocious parody or two in which I attack myself with a savageness the world will wonder at; but remember, Kit,

Out of the darkest sorrow -
Out of the deepest night -
Into the peaceful morrow
Flows the purest light!

All this you must keep strictly secret, and that all will yet go well, rest assured. I will not write you more now, for I do not wish to worry you with never ending "Leonainie" venture. I have too many irons in the fire to think of better things. I shall expect a letter from you tonight, but if disappointed will hope at least that all is well with you. My regards to your good folks; my love to Jess, Mr. Croan and to your brother Will. Devotedly yours, J.W. Riley.

That afternoon, Riley wrote his "Card" to the General Public, confessing his part in the hoax and explaining his reasons for concocting it.

To the Public:

Having been publicly accused of the authorship of the poem, "Leonainie," and again of the far more grievous error of an attempt to falsely claim it, I deem it proper to acknowledge the justice of the first accusation. Yes, as much as I regret to say it, I am the author,\; but, in justice to the paper that originally produced it, and to myself as well, I desire to say a few words more. The plan of the deception was originally suggested to me by a controversy with friends, in which I was foolish enough to assert that 'no matter the little worth of a poem, if a great author's name was attached, it would be certain of success and popularity,' and to establish the truth of this proposition, I was unfortunate enough to select a ruse, that, although establishing my theory, has been the means of placing me in a false light, as well as those of my friends who were good enough to assist us in the scheme, for when we found our literary bombshell bounding throughout the length and breadth of the Union, we were so bewildered and involved we knew not how to act. Our only intercourse had been by poet, and we could not advise together fairly in that way; in consequence, a fibrous growth of circumstances had chained us in a manner, and a fear of unjust censure combined to hold us silent for so long.

To find, at last, a jocular explosion of the fraud, we thoughtlessly employed a means both ill-advised for ourselves and others. And now, trusting the public will only condemn for the folly, and hold me blameless of all dishonorable motives wherein I have feigned ignorance of the real authorship of the poem, etc. etc., I am,

Yours Truly

Anderson, August 28 J.W. Riley

This card was printed in The Indianapolis JOURNAL on August 30th.

On the same day the Kokomo DISPATCH published its own reply to the expose.

---

LEONAINIE

---

A CLEVER RUSE SUCCESSFULLY PLAYED

---

J.W. RILEY THE AUTHOR OF THE POEM

---

HOW THE KOKOMO TRIBUNE WAS USED AS A TOOL TO FURNISH THE EXPOSE

---

WHAT PART THE DISPATCH PLAYED ---

"On the 23rd of July, we received a letter from Mr. J.W. Riley - then connected with the Anderson DEMOCRAT, but now residing in Greenfield - in which a proposition was made to furnish The DISPATCH with an original poem a parody on Poe, subject to these conditions: We were to envelope the poem with additional interest by clothing it with a fictitious net-work of own fabrication, in which we should loosely and in the most flimsy manner charge its paternity to Poe. It was also distinctly agreed that in the course of a few weeks, after the poem had had audience with the ablest literary critics in the land, that we would explain the ruse and declare Mr. Riley the real author of the poem. But this was not to be done until some other journal, innocent of the plot, should be duped into making a `thrilling expose' from facts furnished indirectly by Mr. Riley's friends. This, of course, would attract greater attention to Mr. Riley than if we should make the exposure ourselves. Owing to its morbid and inordinate jealously of The DISPATCH, The Kokomo TRIBUNE was selected as the paper to be used as the tool to further Mr. Riley's and our purpose. A friend in Anderson was posted and the job was handsomely set up. The friend, a pretended enemy of Mr. R., disclosed the `terrible secret' to The TRIBUNE under the strictest bond of secrecy. That paper was not to `give its informant away,' etc., d'ye see? But to return to our part of the play: Everything was in readiness and The DISPATCH of August 2nd, published the poem. We then lay quiet and laughed in our sleeves at the comments of the press - and The TRIBUNE'S silence. That paper was thunderstruck, and for two weeks never opened its mouth. It believed the story and was just dying with jealousy, envy and pique. In the meanwhile, the poem was traveling over the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Eminent critics had written us concerning it. Last week we published nearly three columns of comments. The opportune moment had arrived, and the `Expose' trap was sprung. The TRIBUNE greedily jumped at it like a bull-frog at a red flannel bait. The plot has worked admirably. All The DISPATCH wished for has been done. We have only to say, that in behalf of Mr. R., we heartily thank The TRIBUNE for its valuable, yet unwittingly rendered aid in the ruse. We have been on the inside all the time while The TRIBUNE has been in the dark on the outside. Its jealousy has for once served a useful purpose, and we can readily forgive it for past displays of this hateful passion. Really we feel like embracing The TRIBUNE for its stupidity in this matter, for we were apprehensive that it would certainly `tumble' to it, but it didn't. Mr. Riley is so grateful that he has written and forwarded to The TRIBUNE a parody of `Leonainie,' which that paper will probably publish this week - if it doesn't get too mad when it sees what a booby it has been. The TRIBUNE really deserves a sugar tit, and we are glad Mr. Riley has been so grateful as to forward one in the shape of a parody. It has richly earned two parodies for its assistance in this matter. The TRIBUNE will never forget `Leonainie.' We are sure our readers will forgive us for the part we played in this ruse. Our object was two-fold, both of which have been accomplished: First, to perpetrate a quiet, pleasant joke - which we would afterward explain; secondly, to give Mr. Riley's genius as a poet a fair, full and impartial test before the ablest critics in the land, uninfluenced by local prejudice or sectional bias. The only fiction about the transaction was the Poe story. The poem possesses a vast deal of merit and would do no violence to the reputation of our more pretentious bards of today. Although it has been pretty roughly criticized in certain quarters, it has been praised as a work of genius in others. No poem ever passed through a more relentless gauntlet of criticism than this. No one has ever had a more general reception by the press of the United States. Mr. Riley is a young poet of great promise, and will, we predict, yet make his mark as one of the sweetest singers of his age. Riley wrote back on August 31st to Henderson in part, "I have just rec'd your letter of today, and am glad at heart.'..."

Kinnard of The Anderson HERALD wrote on August 31st:

"Upon our first page we present The TRIBUNE'S exposure of the poetical fraud `Leonainie.' We are sorry that Mr. Riley should have proven himself so mendacious, and sorrier still that he is the author of the poem. We might have forgiven him his want of veracity, but it is hard to condone `Leonainie.' The Kokomo DISPATCH, however, has sacrificed every claim to truth, and hereafter every statement it may make, no matter how trivial or commonplace, must be taken with a wide margin left for falsehood. The Indianapolis Saturday HERALD'S loyal editor, Rev. George Harding, reprinted Riley's card of confession of the hoax in its September lst issue and added: "J.W. Riley, in a note to the JOURNAL, admits the authorship of the `Leonainie' poem, but disclaims any dishonorable intention. He only wanted to see if a poem of no merit could be floated into popularity by attaching a distinguished name to it. The rage of the fools who swallowed the bait is comical."

When Riley felt well enough, on September lst, to return to Anderson, he was told by Todiman, the co-proprietor of The Anderson DEMOCRAT that "his services were no longer required." Riley later described this by saying "The paper on which I gained my meagre living excused me."

Two weeks later The Kokomo DISPATCH had the announcement of a rosy little girl born weighing ten pounds who was named Leonainie Titus. She died about a year later, and Riley memorialized her death with another "Leonainie" poem "To Leonainie," which was published in The Kokomo TRIBUNE of February 1, 1879.

TO LEONAINIE (1879)

In memory of Leonainie, infant daughter of W.B. and Lotta
Titus, these line are tenderly inscribed.

"LEONAINIE!" angels missed her -
Baby angels – they
Who behind the stars had kissed her
E'er she came away;
And their little, wandering faces
Drooped o'er Heaven's hiding-places
Whiter than the lily-vases
On the Sabbath day.
"Leonainie!" crying, crying,
Crying through the night,
Till her lisping lips replying,
Laughing with delight,
Drew us nearer yet, and nearer
That we might the better hear her
Baby-words, and love her dearer
Hearing not aright.
Only spake the little lisper
In the Angel-tongue,
Fainter than a fairy-whisper
Murmured in among
Dewy blossoms covered over
With the fragrant tufts of clover,
Where the minstrel honey-rover
Twanged his wings and sung.
"Leonainie!" - And the glimmer
Of her starry eyes
Faded and the world grew dimmer
E'en as Paradise
Blossomed with a glory brighter
Than the waning stars, and whiter
Than the dying moon, and lighter
Than the morning skies.

After the "Leonainie" hoax received continuing great comment throughout the United States, many other "Poe" poems were found. One, allegedly found etched on a barn door, read:

MARIENNEY

Mary Ann her parents named her,
But SHE wrote it Marienney;
And though angels have not claimed her
She's as fair as any.
For her eyes are dark and gloomy,
And her nose is sort o' bloomy,
And her mouth is rather roomy, --
And have angels whispered to me,
Marienney?
No, not any
etc. E.A.P.

The New York comic magazine "Puck" in its September 12, 1877 issue reported the arrest of "The young lady without an abdomen" who was arrested on the Bowery under the poetic name of "Melusine," for fraud carrying a Poe forgery of a poem of her name signed E.A.P. The poem reads in part, "Melusine, so they named her\ Stomachless, but beauteous bright!\ In a looking-glass they framed her\ To deceive the people's sight.\ But the angels wouldn't stand it,\ `Move on, Mellie!" they commanded,\ Melusine's biz was stranded,\ And she vanished ere the night. etc.

"Leonainie" was set to music in March 14, 1879 by Will H. Ponthius of Cincinnati.

The Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary containing the Poe forgery was sold for twenty-five dollars to a New York book dealer, Charles B. Foote. Following Foote's death, a Cleveland, Ohio collector of Riley, Paul Lemperly, bought the forgery. Following his death in 1939, Scribner's Sons purchased it.

Riley eventually included "Leonainie" in his volume of poems entitled "Armazindy," published October 7, 1894. The Indianapolis SENTINEL in reviewing the book repeated the details of the hoax, commenting that "It was extensively copied, and so clever was the imitation that American and English reviewers, and even an eminent authority like Edmund Clarence Stedman pronounced it genuine; and when the name of the real author was disclosed, Mr. Stedman still maintained that the poem was unquestionably written by Poe."

For many years, "Leonainie" reappeared in various places in the world as a "previously unpublished" poem of Poe's such as in the The New York CRITIC of April 8, 1886. On June 5, 1886, an article printed in the Paris, France newspaper THE AMERICAN REGISTER recounted "Leonainie" was widely known in Italy as a poem of Poe's. The London FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW of February, 1904 brought it forth as a new poem of Poe's, etc. etc.

There is an element of the "Leonainie" hoax that might easily be overlooked if we did not examine it here. Riley was perpetrating the hoax within a tradition Riley enjoyed immensely. Riley enjoyed the poetry of the "master hoaxer" Thomas Chatterton. There was once this angry, suicidal young man, fatherless early in life, originally thought an idiot from birth, named Thomas Chatterton. Actually, Thomas Chatterton was a creative and literary genius in Riley's view. Born in Bristol on November 20, 1752, Chatterton's father, a teacher, died shortly after his son's birth. The mother took in sewing and ran a "home school" to support herself and child. Chatterton refused to play with other children nor communicate. His first school expelled him for being a dullard. Chatterton then chose to lock himself often in the attic of the family home where he found ancient paper which his father had brought home as waste paper. The paper had been old music folios the father had come across while a sub-chanter at the Church of St. Mary Redcliff in Bristol. The father brought the old papers home with him for his wife to use as sewing-patterns, or for himself as bookbindings. Chatterton made use of these old papers in quite a different way. Chatterton became a forger. With reading materials limited to a huge family Bible, a bad printing of Chaucer, and borrowed "faulty" dictionaries and glossaries, Chatterton produced literary pieces he proposed as the works of a 15^th Century monk named Thomas Rowley (Rowleie). They were Chatterton's own poems, of course, written on dad's purloined sheets of music folios. We remember that Chatterton was only in his early teenaged years and not considered very bright so when he started selling these works of the Middle English monk, Thomas Rowley, they were considered a great "find." Chatterton was desperate for funds. He was unhappily apprenticed to an attorney when all else failed him. This position drove him even more suicidal and he began drawing and writing poetry in the lawyer's office until the attorney found a suicide note dated for the next day unless the attorney released him from his apprenticeship. He did. Chatterton left for London where he hoped to make his mark as a poet. Hunger and poverty awaited him in London and he died by poisoning himself with arsenic at the age of seventeen. Two of those most influenced by this strangely possessed boy were William Wordsworth, an English poet who extolled him in poetry as "The marvellous boy,\ The sleepless soul that perished in his pride" and James Whitcomb Riley, the American poet. Chatterton's poetry and particularly his faked "Rowley poems" in fact had great literary merit as Riley recognized. Even though the poems were certainly not medieval manuscripts, they are very richly decorative pieces filled with mystery and "gut" emotion. Modern critics call Chatterton the first "Romantic" poet. Not just Riley and Wordsworth, but also Keats and Byron acknowledged indebtedness to his poetry. Riley took from Chatterton's works a love   of their richness of imagery and great technical dexterity. We must not forget Chatterton as an  influence on Riley's "The Flying Islands of the  light," written the year after "Leonainie." Chatterton's "AElla" is   similarly written in play form. It concerns a pre-Norman conquest warrior named AElla whose wooing of his beloved Birtha is interrupted by a Danish invasion of England. Believing Birtha is taken into the arms of another man, AElla commits suicide ("stabbeth hysbreste") with his sword. Just before his death, a noble Danish warrior, Hurra, who  respects AElla's honor brings Birtha to him. She chooses to die with AElla saying, "Oh! Ys (is) mie (my) AElla dedde?\ O! I will make hys (his) grave mie (my) vyrgyn (virgin) spousal bedde." Riley's subject matter in "The Flying Islands of the Night" goes in quite another direction. Both "plays" are impossible to produce and set in the  strange Chaucerian style. And so ends our journey through the "Leonainie" hoax through correspondence, references, clippings and recollections.