On January 4, 1902, an African American newspaper published a brief item about Paul Laurence Dunbar, who was 29 years old and living in Washington, D. C., with his wife Alice.
Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar, America's poet-laureate, is spending his holidays in the city.
"Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar." The Colored American (Washington, D. C.) January 4, 1902. Page 9.
Paul stayed home for the holidays because he was too poor and too sick to go anywhere else, according to letters written to his literary agent Paul Reynolds and his mother Matilda, who spent Christmas in Chicago with relatives.
Dear Mother: This is going to be a very close Christmas with me and I am sending you no present except five dollars. The other two is for the children to be distributed among them as you see fit. Alice joins me in wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, December 22, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Dear Mr. Reynolds: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Both should be abolished. I am broke!
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, December 31, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).
Dear Mr. Reynolds: I had rather banked on the stories which were sold and the two poems in some transactions which I entered. Can you get hold of the cash for them, and will you let me have it as soon as possible, as my failure to receive it has rather embarrassed me? Of course, you do not know it, but I have been flat on my back for two weeks, and the sight of a check would be as good as medicine to me.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Paul R. Reynolds, January 7, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar collection, New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Microfilm edition, Roll 3).