Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-03-28
FAST BEING MADE RARE.
A Curious Book, of which Nearly An
Copies Have Been Destroyed.

A Curious Book, of Which Nearly An
Copies Have Been Destroyed.
That queer book, IAN Innocent Man
In Felon's Cell" by A. II. Dunton,
late OF Belfast, author of the Duntoni-
an system of penmanship, Is not includ-
ed In the photography of Maine How
ever, il n person should go TO the state
library with one of those volumes In
his hand have an idea that the insti-
tuition would pay 500 or 5000 for the
work. The fact is there is probably q
larger premium on that book than on
any other by Maine author. For 20
years certain parties have been engag-
ed so sedulousiy in destroying the
books that it is scarcely ever that one
is turned up.
Mr. Dunton didn't write that book In
any dilettante spirit. He wrote 1t for a
purpose and was so much in earnest
that he paid for the publishing of the
book and for the most part gave the
edition away. The volume is as large
as the ordinary novel. and therefore ii
may be seen that Mr.. Dunfon was very
much interested I'm what he was doing.
The story is too long TO tell here. and.
for that matter, IL is not wise to rake
up too many of the details. Briefly. a
woman was found murdered in small
town in Knox county some 20 years
ago. She had lain several days In her
home when she was discovered by
some of the neighbors. Beside her was
bit of paper on which was written, II
did it,"
The man who was then county attor-
ney OF Knox county brought TO A. r..
Dunton this scrap Of writing and with
1t a vessels logbook. The attorney de-
clared that this book had been kept by
one Nathan Hicks. Mr.. Dunton was nj
that time well known expert in hand
writing After examination he declar-
ed unhesitatingly that the writing on
the paper and in the logbook was by
the same hand. He declared that IT
was one of the plainest propositions in
chirography lie ever had submitted TO
him- he went on the stand and testi-
fed to that effect. Hicks was sent to
prison for life.
In a short time after the trial Mr..
Dunton found out that deception had
been practiced on him and that he had
unwistiugiy sworn away the liberty of
one whom lie had reason 20 believe did
not Kill the woman He learned that
the logbook bad beeu-written by n
prominent sen captain. retired. living
In the town In question Dunton en-
deavored to secure a pardon for the
man Hicks. but not meeting with much
success he set about writing a book on
To, ~
eral lawyers with conspiracy 10 con
Wet Hicks in order that the really
guilty man might go free. During the
progress OF the controversy Hicks died
In the Maine state prison. Dunton
brought out his book, and for time
1t produced quite stir. but the Dar-
ties who were named In such nm nm
complimentary way set about buvine
up the books and destroying them.
They claimed that they had been crael
iy slandered and asserted that they had
a right to destroy one of these BOOKS
whenever they came across il. They
did so. II one OF the men entered a
home and saw ore of Dmton's books
In sight anywhere. into the fire it went
without word Situations were fire.
quently uncomfortable for both par
ties, bat the lawyers were determined
to put these books out OF existence.
They believed long ago that their
object had been achieved. but stray
one Of the books kept bobblng mp every
now aud then. During the last SEES
sion of the legislature one OF the accus-
Ing volumes was floating about the
statehouse to the extreme disgust of