Wednesday, March 8, 1882
The Daily Republican (Decatur), Feb 2, 1882, 3
200 block of North Water Street (West side; the entrance is now No. 225), Decatur, IL
[1] Decatur Weekly Republican (Decatur, IL), June 6, 1889, 5
Old Square (now Lincoln Square),, NW Corner, Decatur, IL
Decatur Weekly Republican (Decatur, IL) March 9, 1882, 1
Fire destroyed the Decatur Hotel (formerly Wilde’s hotel, the New Deming) on April 21, 1915. Visible also are the seven story Arcade Building, also destroyed, and to the left, the iconic Transfer House which was moved from the square in November 1962.
The Decatur Daily Review, Feb 5, 1967, 43
Originally advertised as 'The English Renaissance', but, owing to the smaller houses, Wilde had written to his manager, Col.W. F. Morse in early March to say:
"Kindly see that I am not advertised to lecture on 'The English Renaissance'. I have not delivered that lecture since February 11, and yet I am always advertised for it. It is very annoying, and besides, 'The English Renaissance' is printed in the Seaside, so people think they know it, and stay away. The lecture is on "The Decorative Arts'..." [1]
These two advertisements for the Decatur lecture show that Wilde's requested was heeded. although not quite with the precise title he suggested. See also The Decorative Arts.
The Daily Republican (Decatur), Mar 3, 1882, 2
The Daily Republican (Decatur), Mar 8, 1882, 2
Oscar Wilde In America | © John Cooper, 2018
