Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 234, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1918 — BIG MEN LONG FAST FRIENDS [ARTICLE]

BIG MEN LONG FAST FRIENDS

Appreciation of Each Other's Genius Drew Henry Watterson and James Whitcomb Riley Together. Some winters ago it was a common sight on a certain hotel veranda In Miami, Fla., to see two white-haired gentlemen of the old school—-one old and bent, the other active despite the gray head—conversing in intimacy. . This corner of the porch was commonly known to the hotel guests as the “Watterson-Riley corner." The friendship between Marse Henry Watterson and James Whitcomb Riley was based upon appreciation of one genius for another. If one had ventured near enough to these two he could have heard Mr. Riley reciting his poems over many times to Colonel Watterson. Colonel Watterson would ask Mr. Riley to recite “Granny’s Come to Our House to Stay," over and over again. They were constant companions except when Colonel Watterson played golf, as he was wont to do, for Mr. Riley was an invalid many years before his death. On one of Mr. Riley’s birthdays the school children celebrated with a parade. Mr. Riley recited many of his poems from a platform, while he was supported by a nurse. Before he finished he said, “Now I refer you to the greatest editor and educator in our country,” indicating Colonel Watterson, “for any other information.” Colonel Watterson rose and simply asked that Mr. Riley recite “Granny’s Come to Our House” again.