On May 25, 1895, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Indianapolis wrote a letter to Alice Ruth Moore in New Orleans on stationery of The Indianapolis World, a weekly African American newspaper. They had been writing to each other for only about a month, though their correspondence developed into a courtship that eventually led to marriage. Paul was working as temporary editor of the World, and he used his position to entice Alice to send him a photograph of herself.
Since writing you, I have taken the managing editorship of the "World" and want to make it a good literary weekly. Will you help me? If you have any articles or poems to spare will you send them to me? I should be delighted to run your cut and a sketch of you at your earliest convenience. Send us several things if you have them to spare, but don't forget the cut and the points for a sketch.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, May 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Newspapers of the period were often illustrated with woodcuts instead of photographs. Paul told Alice he wanted to "run your cut," referring to a woodcut (although her photo was needed to create a woodcut). He also said he would publish "a sketch of you," meaning a biographical sketch, not a picture. Soon afterward, Paul reminded Alice that he would publish her writings on the condition that she send him a photo.
I hope very soon to show my readers some of your work. I should be more grateful than I can tell you, or than you could understand, if you would give me the photo for a cut.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 6, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
When Alice contributed a poem without a photo, Paul did not publish it, repeatedly insisting that she also send a picture.
Your poem "Love for a Day" I consider exquisite. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated it without seeming extravagant. I shall run it next week if you will send a photo to go with the poem. Then, if you will let me, I will keep the photo; or send it back as you may direct. Please send the photo immediately if it will not inconvenience you.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 13, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Your poem I held over until I receive your picture as I wish your cut to go with the first work published in our paper. Please let me have your photo as soon as possible.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Alice finally sent Paul a photograph of herself, but asked him to return it. She promised to send another one that he could keep.
I send you a little legend enclosed for your paper. I hope you will like it, though it was scribbled off in one of my lazy moods this morning. Also a photograph, but you must return it to me as soon as you have finished with it, for I borrowed it from my mother and she'd take the next train for Indianapolis if you did not send it back. But I’ll send you one for your "truly own" soon. Don't forget to return the picture.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, July 6, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
After receiving Alice's photo, Paul made excuses for why he was not able to return it, and asked for another one for himself. He was looking at Alice's photo while writing the letter in which he first declared his love for her.
I received your letter on my return from the Indiana lakes, but did not find time to answer immediately. I prized your picture very much and was decidedly pleased until I reached the qualifying clause in your letter. I shall never be satisfied now until I possess one for myself. The publishers are rather slow in "producing," so the cut has not been made from it yet but will be made as soon as I can get to the office to attend to business.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, July 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
I am sitting here with your picture before me and my heart is throbbing faster than my pen goes. I have kept your picture this long because I could not bear to part with it. It seemed to me, your other self and I was better for its presence. I love you and have loved you since the first time that I saw your picture and read your story. I know it seems foolish and you will laugh perhaps, or perhaps grow angry; but I can explain in one sentence. You were the sudden realization of an ideal! Isn’t there some hope for me? I wish you could read my heart. I love you.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, October 13, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
For months, Paul continued to ask Alice to send him another photo. When she eventually did, he kissed it.
I must beg a thousand pardons for keeping your picture so long, but I really hate to part with it. If you remember, you promised me another some time in November -- of what year?
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, December 29, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The question with me in sitting down to write to you today, is shall I proceed to thank you for your last delightful letter or to tell you how provoked I am that you have not sent me the photograph you promised. In short, shall I be agreeable or disagreeable? When I hear from you again I hope also to receive your photograph as per promise.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 16, 1896. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Your letter and photograph have been forwarded to me here and brought a great deal of pleasure to me. Many, many thanks for the photo. I have kissed it once for which you'll forgive me -- I can't forgive myself for wasting my demonstration on this "counterfeit presentment."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, March 6, 1896. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Paul later published a dialect poem describing a man's emotional connection to a photograph of his sweetheart.
See dis pictyah in my han'?
Dat's my gal;
Ain't she purty? goodness lan'!
Huh name Sal.
Dat's de very way she be --
Kin' o' tickles me to see
Huh a-smilin' back at me.
She sont me dis photygraph
Jes' las' week;
An' aldough hit made me laugh --
My black cheek
Felt somethin' a-runnin' queer;
Bless yo' soul, it was a tear
Jes' f'om wishin' she was here.
Excerpt from "The Photograph," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Published in Lyrics of the Hearthside (1899).