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Harry L. Dwight to Walt Whitman, 24 November 1891

About This Item

  • Title: Harry L. Dwight to Walt Whitman, 24 November 1891
  • Date: November 24, 1891
  • Creator(s): Harry L. Dwight
  • Whitman Archive ID: loc.01442
  • Source: The Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Transcribed from digital images or a microfilm reproduction of the original item. For a description of the editorial rationale behind our treatment of the correspondence, see our statement of editorial policy.
  • Contributors to digital file: Cristin Noonan Amanda J. Axley Stephanie Blalock
  • Cite this page: Dwight, Harry L.. "Harry L. Dwight to Walt Whitman, 24 November 1891." The Walt Whitman Archive. Gen. ed. Matt Cohen, Ed Folsom, & Kenneth M. Price. Accessed 20 April 2024. <http://www.whitmanarchive.org>.
  • Source File: loc.01442.xml (TEI)
 loc.01442.003_large.jpg FROM HARRY L. DWIGHT, MANUFACTURER AND JOBBER OF BEE-KEEPERS' SUPPLIES MODEL FOUNDATION. Friendship, N.Y.1 11-24 1891. Walt Whitman: Camden. N.J. My Dear Sir:

I read in the papers that you are sick and in want in your old age.

Now Mr. Whitman, I am not wealthy, but will be proud to have you come here and live with us, I own a small home and will be only too happy to assist you. Kindly let me know by return mail if the statement in the papers is true. I sincerely hope it is not. I have a copy of your "Leaves of Grass." You have always been my favorite poet, and I think it a shame that you should be left in need.

If circumstances are such that you need not come here or do not want assistance, I trust you will pardon this letter. It is written in all sincerity and truth.

Your humble Admirer. Harry L. Dwight.  loc.01442.004_large.jpg  loc.01442.001_large.jpg see note Nov 27 1891  loc.01442.002_large.jpg

Correspondent:
Henry (Harry) Leverett Dwight (1861–unknown) was born in Ohio, the son of Henry Leander Dwight (1829–1896) and Olive Emeline Dibble (1831–1887). According to the 1880 federal census, Dwight worked as a clerk for a druggist, and the 1892 New York State census claims he was working with his father as a tailor. The 1892 census also indicates that Dwight lived in Friendship, New York, with his father and wife Sarah (1845–). Dwight advertised his beekeeping business in The American Bee Keeper and contributed letters on the trade (The American Bee Keeper 1.6 [June 1891], 98).

Notes

  • 1. This letter is addressed: Walt Whitman, | Camden, | N. J. It is postmarked: Friendship | 25 | Nov | 1891 | N.Y.; Camden, N. J. | Nov 27 | 6am | 91 | Rec'd. [back]
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