DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fanomena, March 1948

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Fanomena, March 1948

Page 15

Through all this discussion Jones kept quiet. The district Judge seized the opportunity and solemnly charged the Grand Jury to investigate the "morals of certain of our supposedly eminently proper citizens." They knew very well what was needed and urged on by desire for fame they summoned Jones to appear before them.
I was present at that investigation. Jones was as usual quiet and self-composed. This could not be said of any of the Grand Jury. Most of them did not have the vocabulary necessary to question Jones about his alleged immorality, and Jones was not disposed to help them. He told them in no uncertain language that it was none of their business; he even went so far as to say that the entire investigation was solely due to their purient curiosity. Assisted by the District Attorney, they dug up an old blew law and found a true bill against him. He was arrested and furnished his own bond.
By this time the matter was arousing the interest of the nation. Several times while Jones was addressing the Grand Jury he had used the word "Independence" and this caught the fancy of many prominent personages who made their living as Senators and Lawyers talking about it. He was heralded as the Champion of Liberty; strangers came by the dozen to see him and offer him help. As usual, however, he preserved a dignified silence--so much so that on the morning of the preliminary hearing he was found dead in bed.
His will, found on the bedside table, made me his executor. In the course of settling the estate I came across the two volumes which had caused such a furor in our corner of the world. They were bound in half morocco with the title on both---"The Passionate Lover" by James Jones, Volumes I and II.
About that time a noted divine had announced his views concerning the Virgin Birth and so occupied was everyone in the discussion that no one had time to be interested in a dead man and his fancies.
At first I thought of calling in some of the neighbors, the Judge, the Pastor and the District Attorney. It would, perhaps interest them to actually see the books. The more I considered it, the more repugnant it was to me. Jones was my friend and he was dead.
There should be no audience so I sat down and opened the books slowly and thoughtfully for here was the secret of the sin that had caused the early death of Jones, that had made his name a savory morsel in the mouths of our Puritans. There may have been a sin, but if it was a sin it was of imagination only, for as I came to the end of the second volume I realized that every page as blank-- pure white, unsoiled by drop of ink or single picture.
No wonder Jones smiled at times.

ANTHOLOGY OF NEW KELLER TALES

Printing costs and delays when I am forced to depend upon someone else to the work have prompted me to purchase my own equipment and locate in Denver, Colorado. There I will be able to do one book per month, all in the fantasy line.
I am extremely fond of the work of Keller, for I am not a fan in the ordinary sense. My passions are the great classics and in them I find many of the qualities which occur in Keller's work, fragile beauty, delicate simplicity and accurate reaction. This last is important. It is quite a feat for someone to get up a cast of characters, place them in one simultaneous situation, and then have them act accurately. This is literary craftmanship, and Doc. K. has it!
In regard to Dr. Keller's book which I shall do in the spring. The full title is "The Eternal Conflict and other Weird Tales". It contains, in addition to the full-length novel, eight short stories. None of the contents are reprints. The edition will be limited to 1000 numbered copies.
Paul Dennis O'Connor
Watch for the permanent address in Denver of New Collector's Group.
15

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Through all this discussion Jones kept quiet. The district Judge seized the opportunity and solemnly charged the Grand Jury to investigate the "morals of certain of our supposedly eminently proper citizens." They knew very well what was needed and urged on by desire for fame they summoned Jones to appear before them. I was present at that investigation. Jones was as usual quiet and self-composed. This could not be said of any of the Grand Jury. Most of them did not have the vocabulary necessary to question Jones about his alleged immorality, and Jones was not disposed to help them. He told them in no uncertain language that it was none of their business; he even went so far as to say that the entire investigation was solely due to their purient curiosity. Assisted by the District Attorney, they dug up an old blew law and found a true bill against him. He was arrested and furnished his own bond. By this time the matter was arousing the interest of the nation. Several times while Jones was addressing the Grand Jury he had used the word "Independence" and this caught the fancy of many prominent personages who made their living as Senators and Lawyers talking about it. He was heralded as the Champion of Liberty; strangers came by the dozen to see him and offer him help. As usual, however, he preserved a dignified silence--so much so that on the morning of the preliminary hearing he was found dead in bed. His will, found on the bedside table, made me his executor. In the course of settling the estate I came across the two volumes which had caused such a furor in our corner of the world. They were bound in half morocco with the title on both---"The Passionate Lover" by James Jones, Volumes I and II. About that time a noted divine had announced his views concerning the Virgin Birth and so occupied was everyone in the discussion that no one had time to be interested in a dead man and his fancies. At first I thought of calling in some of the neighbors, the Judge, the Pastor and the District Attorney. It would, perhaps interest them to actually see the books. The more I considered it, the more repugnant it was to me. Jones was my friend and he was dead. There should be no audience so I sat down and opened the books slowly and thoughtfully for here was the secret of the sin that had caused the early death of Jones, that had made his name a savory morsel in the mouths of our Puritans. There may have been a sin, but if it was a sin it was of imagination only, for as I came to the end of the second volume I realized that every page as blank-- pure white, unsoiled by drop of ink or single picture. No wonder Jones smiled at times. ANTHOLOGY OF NEW KELLER TALES Printing costs and delays when I am forced to depend upon someone else to the work have prompted me to purchase my own equipment and locate in Denver, Colorado. There I will be able to do one book per month, all in the fantasy line. I am extremely fond of the work of Keller, for I am not a fan in the ordinary sense. My passions are the great classics and in them I find many of the qualities which occur in Keller's work, fragile beauty, delicate simplicity and accurate reaction. This last is important. It is quite a feat for someone to get up a cast of characters, place them in one simultaneous situation, and then have them act accurately. This is literary craftmanship, and Doc. K. has it! In regard to Dr. Keller's book which I shall do in the spring. The full title is "The Eternal Conflict and other Weird Tales". It contains, in addition to the full-length novel, eight short stories. None of the contents are reprints. The edition will be limited to 1000 numbered copies. Paul Dennis O'Connor Watch for the permanent address in Denver of New Collector's Group. 15