E.P. Roe: Reminiscences of his Life   By: Mary A. Roe

E · P · ROE

HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HIS WIFE

E. P. ROE

REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE

BY HIS SISTER, MARY A. ROE

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK PETER FENELON COLLIER & SON MCM

E. P. ROE

REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE

Copyright, 1899 BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

Since the death of Edward Payson Roe, in 1888, there have been inquiries from time to time for some record of his life and work, and it is in response to these repeated requests that this volume is issued. While necessarily omitting much that is of too personal a nature for publication, the editor has allowed the subject of these Reminiscences to speak for himself as far as possible, although it has been thought advisable to introduce here and there various papers from outside sources that seem to throw additional light upon his character. It is believed that in this way a clearer picture may be given than would otherwise be obtained of the life of one who was, perhaps, the most popular American author of his generation. The editor's own part of the work has been confined to a simple statement of facts and to supplying connecting links, when such seemed needed, between the various letters and papers.

Thanks are due, and are hereby offered, to all who have kindly contributed material or in other ways assisted in the preparation of this volume.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. BOYHOOD AND COLLEGE DAYS 1

II. LIFE AS CHAPLAIN 13

III. A WINTER CAMP 41

IV. MARRIAGE THE RAID TOWARD RICHMOND 58

V. HAMPTON HOSPITAL 70

VI. THE HOSPITAL FARM AND CHAPEL 85

VII. PASTORATE AT HIGHLAND FALLS 95

VIII. RESIGNATION FROM THE MINISTRY 118

IX. FRUIT CULTURE AND LITERARY WORK 124

X. HOME LIFE 137

XI. SANTA BARBARA 154

XII. RETURN TO CORNWALL LETTERS 181

XIII. LAST BOOK DEATH 194

XIV. AN ACCOUNT OF E. P. ROE'S BOOKS 218

XV. THE TABLET AND MEMORIAL ADDRESS 231

ILLUSTRATIONS

E. P. ROE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH Frontispiece

TO FACE PAGE

E. P. ROE AS A STUDENT 10

E. P. ROE AS CHAPLAIN, AGE 26 38

VIEW FROM THE PIAZZA AT "ROELANDS" 128

THE STUDY AT "ROELANDS" 152

TABLET ON BOULDER IN "ROE PARK" 232

[Illustration: E. P. ROE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.]

E. P. ROE

REMINISCENCES OF HIS LIFE

CHAPTER I

BOYHOOD AND COLLEGE DAYS

My brother Edward and I were the youngest of six children, and as he was my senior by but a few years we were playmates and almost inseparable companions in our childhood.

We were born in a roomy old fashioned house, built by my mother's father for his oldest son, but purchased by my father when he retired from business in New York. A more ideal home for a happy childhood could not easily be found. It stood near the entrance of a beautiful valley through which flowed a clear stream, and was wind sheltered by high bluffs, yet commanded fine views of the mountains with glimpses of the Hudson showing like lakes between them.