Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916

Scope and Contents The collection contains James Whitcomb Riley’s letters to Kentucky author Madison Cawein, general correspondence, and manuscript poems written by Riley, as well as other materials, ranging from 1876 to 1940. Also included are printed copies of Riley’s poems, essays, and newspaper stories about Riley.

There are also broadsides and printed portraits of Riley, ranging from 1900 to 1947 and undated (OBD038).

Scope and Contents This collection contains a June 28, 1895 letter written by James Whitcomb Riley on Denison Hotel stationary and sent to Paul Trevor Payne of Wabash, Indiana regarding a job at the Bowen-Merrill Co. in Indianapolis. Payne was a nephew of Riley's sister, Mary Elizabeth Riley Payne. The envelope, also from the Denison, was addressed by Riley and includes his initials. One other item, an envelope from the Bowen-Merrill Co. postmarked June 20, 1895, was also sent to Paul Payne at Wabash and has a...