In October 1901, Paul Laurence Dunbar's personal scrapbook came to an end. The book contained newspaper articles, recital programs and memorabilia from his career as an author and public speaker. The last item in the book is an account of his visit to the Hampton Institute in Virginia.
One of the evening entertainments which the season brought to us was of unusual interest. Mr. Paul Laurence Dunbar gave an author's reading in Cleveland Hall which was a source of genuine pleasure to all his hearers. In spite of the hot, oppressive atmosphere of the hall, Mr. Dunbar responded very graciously to the repeated recalls, so that his program was extensive enough to reveal the many phases of his talent as a reader, to which his splendid natural voice, his well controlled pathos and his perfect command of the dialect all lend an indescribable power and charm.
"Hampton Incidents." The Southern Workman (Hampton, Virginia). October 1901. Page 560.
Paul's wife Alice helped to maintain the scrapbook and, as he traveled around the United States and England, they wrote to each other about items to put into it.
I have a cricket match, a visit to Keats' home and a dinner and tea tomorrow. I believe I'll get up right here and send you one or two notices if I can find them. Be sure and preserve them. The one in the "Chronicle" is said by my literary friends to be excellent for that paper. There is another long and kindly one in the Academy. Only one paper was nasty and it was a very unimportant one whose name I had never even seen before.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, July 4, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
I arrived this morning at one o'clock, left Boston in a drizzling rain, and found Newport in a pouring, steady, discouraging storm. The town is nothing but posters of your affair. I send you one of the handbills. Ella told me she had written you for some clippings, so I telegraphed back for the scrap-book. It ought to get here tomorrow, so's things can be written about you in the local papers.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, August 11, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Send me a program of your reading, and any newspaper notices you may see. Now please do this, and don't be in such an excitement that you'll forget. Hope you'll be successful, dearie. Don't forget the clippings. I fancy you have not sent me any as you promised.
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, September 6, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
The Dunbars separated permanently in January 1902, and Paul left home so quickly he didn't pack a suitcase. Alice sent Paul's clothes to him in New York, and also shipped his mother Matilda's belongings to her in Chicago. However, Alice kept the scrapbooks, despite explicit demands for them from both Matilda and Paul.
You remember Alice, I wrote you about two months ago about Paul's books of clippings and you promised me you would send them, so there was no more said about them and I still waited for them. And when anything was said about the books, I insisted that they were in storage and I thought it was inconvenient to get to them. Of course I expected to find them in with the other goods, but much surprised in not finding them. Would you be kind enough to send me what books of clippings and manuscripts you have of Paul's?
Matilda Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, July 13, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Mr. Dunbar requests me to ask that you send him at once all his scrapbooks and the stories from the Saturday Evening Post which were placed between boards ready to be sent out to them for publication.
Ida M. Dempcy.
Private Secretary to Mr. Paul L. Dunbar.Ida M. Dempcy (for Paul Laurence Dunbar) to Alice Moore Dunbar, July 21, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
Mr. Dunbar begs to reiterate his demand for certain things sent for, and to add to it, his old portfolio and first scrap book containing Riley's letter. These must be sent or his attorney will be authorized to take due action to bring them.
Marie E. Deemer,
Sec'y.Marie E. Deemer (for Paul Laurence Dunbar) to Alice Moore Dunbar, November 19, 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).