More On James Whitcomb Riley And Peru

more on...James Whitcomb Riley
While in Peru, James became interested in a young woman by the name of Catherine, an Irish girl. Riley dated her and called on her at a residence located on the corner of East Third Street and Wabash Street. Most of Riley' evenings were spent in her company. A young man by the name of Neff was Riley's messenger boy taking messages to Catherine. Eventually, Riley simply up and left Peru. Catherine had no explanation. He finally wrote a letter and in it was a poem "The Little Town of Tailholt." Catherine was very saddened at his departure, as well as others with whom he had made friends.