On July 16, 1898, a newspaper question and answer column informed a female reader that Paul Laurence Dunbar was married.
Questions of a general and personal nature will be answered in this department to the best of our ability.
Miss Allie K., Denver, Colo. -- Yes, Paul Laurence Dunbar is married. Mrs. D’s maiden name was Miss Alice Ruth Moore.
"Our Query Box." The Colored American (Washington, D. C.). July 16, 1898. Page 6.
Paul and Alice got married on March 6, 1898, in a hastily-arranged civil ceremony with just a few witnesses present. They kept their marriage a secret while they lived apart in separate cities. Paul seemed amused to hide the truth from his friend Rebekah Baldwin.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was married in a rather impromptu manner, so far as the choice of a preacher is concerned. It was one afternoon last year when he drove up to a business office in New York and called for the proprietor. "Do you happen to know any good clergymen hereabouts?" he asked. "The truth is," he explained, "I am desirous of being married, and the lady I propose to wed is in the carriage at the door." The businessman gave an address, and the poet and his promised bride drove away.
"Dunbar's Hunt for a Minister." The Saturday Evening Post (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). March 25, 1899.
Rebekah informed me very dramatically the other evening that she was sure I would never marry you. Well I won't.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, March 26, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
When it became widely known that Paul was married, other women were reportedly disappointed. His correspondence reveals that, in addition to Alice, Paul had proposed marriage to Maud Clark in Ohio and Maud Wilkinson in New York.
The marriage of Paul Dunbar has left sore spots in several homes. It is said that the genial Paul had a marvelous capacity for attracting the ladies, and at the same time thought it a pleasurable pastime to propose to as many as possible. His method of procedure was to quote poetry with that melodious voice of his and soon the unsuspecting lady's heart would be palpitating with hope and love. Then Paul would go away and forget her. I have it on good authority that more than one connubial air-castle has been swept away.
"Chicago News: Dunbar's Marriage Causes Sad Hearts in this City." Illinois Record (Springfield, Illinois). May 7, 1898. Page 1.
I recall now that Paul Dunbar at one time was the chosen one of a handsome and buxom belle, who with true western enterprise, waited not to be sought, but got a hustle on and took her pick. Fortunately Paul escaped.
"Chicago Weekly Letter. The Many Old Maids Stand in the Way of Youth and Beauty." Illinois Record (Springfield, Illinois). January 21, 1899. Page 3.