Emory A. Richardson, “Big Rich”, whose home was Evansville since 1918, was a native of Pike County , Indiana, having been born near the little inland village of Union. See Map .
He learned his three “R’s” in a rural school near Oakland City, Indiana, and later entered Oakland City College where he pursued courses in literature and public speaking. While there his poetical genius was first revealed . Upon his graduation in 1912 he was chosen class-poet. He immediately began his career as an author and a professional entertainer.
To the finest being of his fiber he was a staunch and loyal Hoosier, and his poems contained words of charming simplicity and were full of color, the savor and music of Hoosierdom. The most prominent quality of his poetry was that ever present element of humor and splendid spirit of cheer, hope, and sunshine.
The poem which helped most in establishing him as a poet was the little two verse optimistic poem entitled My Alligator Grin
On behalf of Indiana Richardson freely and boldly proclaimed for her (most historians fail to fully give her due honor) that Abraham Lincoln was a Hoosier – he having spent fourteen years of his early life, from age 7 to 21, (the period in the making of a life) in Indiana.
As as outgrowth of this claim, Richardson produced his outstanding poem entitled, “Lincoln, The Hoosier.”
Of February 12th, 1929, the Indiana House of Representatives and the Senate of the 76th General Assembly, in a joint session , met for a Lincoln Day memorial exercise. Richarsdson was given a place on the program. Following the reading of his poem, “Lincoln, the Hoosier” , the join session passed a motion naming him the poet laureate. The vote was unanimous and, remarked the Evansville Courier, “An Evansville man has been chosen to fill the place once held by the most famous of Hoosier poets, James Whitcomb Riley.”
Responding to the duties of the State poet laureate Richardson endeavored to “carry on” the vibrant flow of poetry characteristic of his native state.
He enjoyed a national reputation as an entertainer, having done lyceum work from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Gulf north into Canada as far as trains would take him.
His favorite motto was, “Let’s trade grins – then be frien’s”.
The Poem Evansville
On the “level” honestly
She’s doing business every day.
All the wheels of Industry
Turn for good incessantly
Clouds of smoke go floating o’er
Signify her thrift galore.
Sweeter music isn’t known
Than her factory whistles blown;
Nothing seemingly excels
The glad chiming of her bells
Evansville’s own standard are
Highest that wise men acquire.
‘Neath her wings of science and art
Beats her pure and lovely heart.
Talent reigns unboundingly;
Manhood builds astoundingly.
Great achievements realized;
“Broken records” highly prized;
Far her name has swiftly flown;
Thru her speedy growth alone.
Marks of beauty won her fame,
High ideals add to her name;
Culture, manliness, and power,
Fair womanhood, the very flower.
Institutions great and strong
Aid her true industrious throng.
Fragrant breezes cool and fine
Mingle with the glad sunshine.
Courage and ambiton, both
Are the secret of her growth.
Miles of pavement lead the way
Thru her realms of joys always.
All her scintillations bright
Make a wondrous scene at night.
Glimpse of her towering spires
Most delightfully inspires.
Features by the river’s flow
Charm is added to her glow.
Life is a like a peaceful dream
Under her sincere regime.
