The Daily Banner, Greencastle, IN – December 5, 1936 / James Paxton Voorhees, 78-year-old writer, poet, and former actor died suddenly Friday when stricken with a heart attack at his room in a Plainfield hotel where he had lived a retiring life many years. He had become enfeebled in recent years but was not seriously ill.
Born in Terre Haute, he was a son of Daniel W. Voorhees, who as a United States senator, became known as “The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash,” and during his father’s 21 years in office, James served as his secretary.
Mr. Voorhees served as his father’s aide at an interesting period when the elder Voorhees was fighting for the establishment of the Library of Congress, a campaign which resulted in the present institution.
A long-time friend of James Whitcomb Riley, Mr. Voorhees himself was a writer of considerable attainments. His best known book was “Caverns of Dawn,” a tale of pioneer life in southern Indiana. Other books were “Wissy” and “A Tale of Wealth.” In addition he had written a number of poems and magazine stories, some of the latter with a locale in the Canadian woods where he lived awhile with the natives to gather literary atmosphere.
As an actor, Mr. Voorhees appeared in Shakespearean productions with Julia Marlowe and E. H. Southern, and in addition was cast in ‘heavy’ roles in other plays. In later years when he had left the boards he retained an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Shakespearean plays and would recite long passages to friends.
The son took up residence in Plainfield, going from Greencastle to negotiate with a printer for publication of his books and remaining as a resident.
Mrs. Voorhees, a Canadian, died a number of years ago. Surviving is a son, Charles Voorhees of Colfax, Wash. Funeral arrangements were delayed pending advices from the son.
Contributed by #47950633
Born in Terre Haute, he was a son of Daniel W. Voorhees, who as a United States senator, became known as “The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash,” and during his father’s 21 years in office, James served as his secretary.
Mr. Voorhees served as his father’s aide at an interesting period when the elder Voorhees was fighting for the establishment of the Library of Congress, a campaign which resulted in the present institution.
A long-time friend of James Whitcomb Riley, Mr. Voorhees himself was a writer of considerable attainments. His best known book was “Caverns of Dawn,” a tale of pioneer life in southern Indiana. Other books were “Wissy” and “A Tale of Wealth.” In addition he had written a number of poems and magazine stories, some of the latter with a locale in the Canadian woods where he lived awhile with the natives to gather literary atmosphere.
As an actor, Mr. Voorhees appeared in Shakespearean productions with Julia Marlowe and E. H. Southern, and in addition was cast in ‘heavy’ roles in other plays. In later years when he had left the boards he retained an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Shakespearean plays and would recite long passages to friends.
The son took up residence in Plainfield, going from Greencastle to negotiate with a printer for publication of his books and remaining as a resident.
Mrs. Voorhees, a Canadian, died a number of years ago. Surviving is a son, Charles Voorhees of Colfax, Wash. Funeral arrangements were delayed pending advices from the son.
Contributed by #47950633
The Daily Banner, Greencastle, IN – December 5, 1936 / James Paxton Voorhees, 78-year-old writer, poet, and former actor died suddenly Friday when stricken with a heart attack at his room in a Plainfield hotel where he had lived a retiring life many years. He had become enfeebled in recent years but was not seriously ill.
Born in Terre Haute, he was a son of Daniel W. Voorhees, who as a United States senator, became known as “The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash,” and during his father’s 21 years in office, James served as his secretary.
Mr. Voorhees served as his father’s aide at an interesting period when the elder Voorhees was fighting for the establishment of the Library of Congress, a campaign which resulted in the present institution.
A long-time friend of James Whitcomb Riley, Mr. Voorhees himself was a writer of considerable attainments. His best known book was “Caverns of Dawn,” a tale of pioneer life in southern Indiana. Other books were “Wissy” and “A Tale of Wealth.” In addition he had written a number of poems and magazine stories, some of the latter with a locale in the Canadian woods where he lived awhile with the natives to gather literary atmosphere.
As an actor, Mr. Voorhees appeared in Shakespearean productions with Julia Marlowe and E. H. Southern, and in addition was cast in ‘heavy’ roles in other plays. In later years when he had left the boards he retained an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Shakespearean plays and would recite long passages to friends.
The son took up residence in Plainfield, going from Greencastle to negotiate with a printer for publication of his books and remaining as a resident.
Mrs. Voorhees, a Canadian, died a number of years ago. Surviving is a son, Charles Voorhees of Colfax, Wash. Funeral arrangements were delayed pending advices from the son.
Contributed by #47950633
Born in Terre Haute, he was a son of Daniel W. Voorhees, who as a United States senator, became known as “The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash,” and during his father’s 21 years in office, James served as his secretary.
Mr. Voorhees served as his father’s aide at an interesting period when the elder Voorhees was fighting for the establishment of the Library of Congress, a campaign which resulted in the present institution.
A long-time friend of James Whitcomb Riley, Mr. Voorhees himself was a writer of considerable attainments. His best known book was “Caverns of Dawn,” a tale of pioneer life in southern Indiana. Other books were “Wissy” and “A Tale of Wealth.” In addition he had written a number of poems and magazine stories, some of the latter with a locale in the Canadian woods where he lived awhile with the natives to gather literary atmosphere.
As an actor, Mr. Voorhees appeared in Shakespearean productions with Julia Marlowe and E. H. Southern, and in addition was cast in ‘heavy’ roles in other plays. In later years when he had left the boards he retained an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Shakespearean plays and would recite long passages to friends.
The son took up residence in Plainfield, going from Greencastle to negotiate with a printer for publication of his books and remaining as a resident.
Mrs. Voorhees, a Canadian, died a number of years ago. Surviving is a son, Charles Voorhees of Colfax, Wash. Funeral arrangements were delayed pending advices from the son.
Contributed by #47950633
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