On December 8, 1894, an associate editor of The Century Magazine in New York City wrote to Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dayton and accepted a few of his poems for publication. But first the editor asked Paul for references, even suggesting that Paul contact his cousin in Dayton.
We are inclined to accept the contributions you are good enough to offer us for the "Lighter Vein" department. May we therefore ask you to refer to us some person known to us, which reference shall be in the nature of a voucher for your good faith, as you are a stranger to us. This is in accordance of the rule of this magazine. Perhaps it would make this easier to you if I say that a note from my cousin, Mr. Charles U. Raymond of your city, vouching for you, would be sufficient. If you do not know him, some friend of yours who does know him would doubtless do you the service to speak to him of you.
Robert Underwood Johnson to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 8, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
In response to Johnson's request, Paul sent references to Century magazine, including a letter of encouragement Paul had received from James Whitcomb Riley, one of America's leading poets. Also, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, a Civil War veteran who had retired to Dayton, wrote to Johnson on Paul's behalf.
Paul Laurence Dunbar, a colored young man, has the reputation in this community of being a reliable and worthy person. He also has considerable reputation by reason of his educational attainments and poetic ability.
Thomas J. Wood to Robert Underwood Johnson, December 13, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Johnson responded promptly and paid Paul for the poems that appeared in Century the following year: "A Negro Love Song" in April, "Curtain" in May and "The Dilettante" in July.
The letters you send us are wholly satisfactory, and I send you herewith for our publishers a check in payment for the three contributions. I also return Mr. Riley's letter.
Robert Underwood Johnson to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 17, 1894. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Although Wood's letter to the associate editor of Century described Paul as "a colored young man," the chief editor, Richard Watson Gilder, was apparently unaware that Paul was Black. A friend of Paul's described a conversation that took place in January 1896, when the white southern author George W. Cable visited Dayton.
George W. Cable came to Dayton to give a reading. Talking of the colored race one afternoon, he remarked, "My friend Gilder, of the Century, has always wished to have a negro contributor to his magazine."
"Does he not know that he has one?" I asked.
In answer to his inquiring look, I opened the current number of the Century that lay upon the table, and there among "In lighter vein" was that exquisite lyric, "When Malindy Sings." The information appeared to interest Mr. Cable greatly. He asked many questions:
"Was Paul Dunbar a pure negro?"
"Of the purest Congo type."
"Why has he not said he was a negro?"
"Because he wanted his work to be judged as poetry, not as 'freak' accomplishment."
Some Dayton Saints and Prophets, by Charlotte Reeve Conover. United Brethren Publishing House (Dayton, Ohio). 1907. Pages 182 - 183.
Paul made similar comments in a pair of autobiographical letters written to fans.
A copy of my second book fell into the hands of James A. Herne who sent it to Mr. Howells. Through whose review, Mr. Gilder of the Century and other editors found that their contributor was a Negro.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to A. S. Lanahan, February 17, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
He began writing for the local press, and made some reputation in the West. Some commendable work was done for some of the Eastern magazines who did not know that he was a Negro.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to William Kenneth Boyd, April 18, 1899. William Kenneth Boyd Papers, Duke University Library. Folder 33.