Text: Edward A. Oldham, “[Letter to W. F. Gill]”, Wilson Advance (Wilson, NC), vol. 11, no. 3, February 11, 1881, p. 1, col. 4

[page 1, column 4, continued:]

Edward A. Oldham, Esq.

OUR young friend Edward A. Oldham. who attended school in Wilson several years ago, has written a letter to Mr. Wm. F. Gill, concerning the proposed Poe Memorial.” which was published in tire New York Herald of the 20th of January.

We reproduce it because Mr. Gill thought of the dozens of letters he had received from various sources this was the best.

The letter reads as follows, dated Wilmington.

MR. WM. F.

DEAR SIR: —

“Your interesting communication of the 13th cam: to hand this A. M., and I hasten to reply. Allow me to offer the humble suggestion that there be effected the organization of what may be called the Poe Memorial Committee, consisting of a member from nearly every State, with yourself as chairman. As a member of such a committee I could very probably be able to do the project much, or at least some, financial good, and my mode of procedure would be as follows: — In the first place, I would address a printed circular to the freinds [[friends]] of literature, to the patrons of learning, and the admirers of the genius of Edgar Allen [[Allan]] Poe, in the State of North Carolina, in which I would respectfully call for subscriptions from private parties, and with the request that all library organizations in the State make arrangements for one or more lecture engagements, the product of which be either deposited with myself or with you. I am very certain that if every State having membership in the committee would proceed in the manner I suggest we could do much toward gaining the desired end. As a member of the Philomathian society of this city, can promise you their co-operation in this scheme. I have another suggestion, which I think I [[sic]] could be made financially possible if managed rightly, to wit: we might issue a request to the foremost poets of the day, for poetical offerings to Poe's memory. These would be as gift book would command a reasonable sale. The poet from your pen and frontispiece by the handsome etching in a recent Scribner, or the fine engraving which adorned your biography. In relation to my aquaintanceship with those who knew Poe I will write at a later date.

Hoping, my dear sir, to have a long letter from you in a few days. I am, with best regards, very sincerely.

EDWARD A. OLDHAM.