Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/101

 News of the Society 9 1

lln fiDemoriam

Charles Caldwell Dobie 1881-1943

When Charles Caldwell Dobie died on January 1 1 San Francisco lost not only one of its most distinguished literary figures but a gallant gentleman, a man of intellectual and personal integrity and a versatility so uncommon that he was as popular socially for his liveliness of mind, humor, and good- fellowship, as with the reading public for his admirable stories and such thoughtful and enduring works as San Francisco, a Pageant, and San Fran- ciscans Chinatown. Hostesses competed for him, and no one was invited more frequently to "Montalvo" when the late Senator James D. Phelan was entertaining so brilliantly, no one was more welcome to both host and guests.

He was born in San Francisco on March 15, 1881, and attended primary and grammar school, but, forced into a business career at an early age, he educated himself thereafter with diligent study of the best in literature. It was not long, however, before he discovered that he was a born writer, and devoted his spare time to practising the difficult art of the short story. For years he met with only local recognition, but finally Henry L. Mencken, then editor of the Smart Set, bought one of his stories. Shortly after that two acceptances arrived by the same mail, one from Scribnefs, one from the Atlantic Monthly. Orders poured in. William Dean Ho wells praised him. Dobie was "made." He said farewell to the insurance business and devoted himself entirely to writing.

When, in 1923, 1 was asked by John Galsworthy to form a P. E. N. chap- ter in California I could think of no one so likely to make it a success as Mr. Dobie. He was distinctly the leader of the younger group of writers in central California, was popular with all of them, enterprising and enthusias- tic. He made a tremendous success of the dinners given every season for so many years, and of our P. E. N. in general.

His short stories received other recognition. They were included in The Best Short Stories of Edward O'Brien and in Harper's Prize Short Story Collections; he was the only author asked to contribute two stories in one year to the Harper volume, and he received two awards from the Common- wealth Club of California for literature.

He is survived by his only brother, Mr. Clarence W. Dobie, with whom he lived for many years at 840 Green Street.

Gertrude Atherton

Lillian Eichelroth Fricot 1864- 1942

One of the most widely known and universally beloved women of Cala- veras County, Mrs. Desire Fricot died at her home in Fricot City on July 31, 1942.