On May 30, 1896, an article about New Orleans favorably mentioned Alice Ruth Moore, the future wife of Paul Laurence Dunbar.
The women of the south were a revelation to me. The beauty, the elegance and culture of the people of the Crescent City are simply overwhelming. I doubt anywhere can be found a more finely cultured bevy, not only in the fine arts but in the practical things of life, than in New Orleans. The young ladies there are more advanced in music than anywhere I have ever been. That true artist of the beautiful, Alice Ruth Moore, sat demurely with her great, luminous, dreamful eyes bent on her cello. A fragile bewitching creature, beautiful and full of poetry.
"Rambles in the South: What a Northern Woman Saw in the Crescent City," by Victoria Earle Matthews. Afro-American Sentinel (Omaha, Nebraska). May 30, 1896. Page 1.
Alice was 20 years old and living in New Orleans with her sister Leila and their mother and grandmother. She had been writing to Paul in Dayton for over a year, but they had yet to meet in person. It was the author of this article, Victoria Earle Matthews, who brought them together for the first time in New York City in February 1897. Newspaper reports indicate that Alice was active in musical, literary and dramatic activities in New Orleans.
The elite of the colored population were at the Economy Hall, on Ursulines Street, last night. At that place the Jefferson Dramatic Club gave a final musical and dramatic entertainment. Among those who took part in the farce-comedy, entitled "No End to a Joke," which was written by Alice Ruth Moore, a member of the club, were: M. Leila Moore, Julia E. Lewis, Emma Commgere, Laura Allain and A. C. Segura, Philip Phillysen, William Johnson and John R. Rigo.
"A Jefferson Social." The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana). January 19, 1895. Page 3.
National Decoration Day was observed yesterday at Chalmette with the usual annual ceremonies. Three thousand people turned out to take part in the exercises and celebrate the cause of the day's proceedings. Assembled around the monument, the ceremonies were commenced by Colonel Charles W. Keeting, the department commander, who read the orders of the army relating to Decoration Day and the exercises on the occasion. The band played "Nearer My God to Thee," and the chaplain, Rev. Frank Taylor, delivered a prayer. Miss Alice Ruth Moore read an original poem, perfect in construction and smooth in its flow. It told the story of the dead hero.
"Decoration Day Celebrated Here." The Daily Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana). May 31, 1896. Page 10.
In one of his first letters to Alice, Paul teasingly asked about her artistic skills. In her response, Alice downplayed her ability.
Will you satisfy my curiosity about you on three points? Do you recite? Do you sing? Don't you dance divinely? If I am impudent in asking these things don't hesitate to tell me so.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Yes, I recite, but not often; I dance, I won't vouch for the divine part of it. I don't draw, but a little, I don't paint; I only sing in choruses and in the school room with my children; I play the mandolin, I am studying the violincello. Now, if there are any more questions you want to ask, chip right in, and I'll answer every one, honor bright. That's the only way to get acquainted.
Alice Ruth Moore to Paul Laurence Dunbar, July 6, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).