The Valley and the Shadow: Comprising the Experiences of a Blind Ex-Editor; a Literary Biography, Humorous Biographical Sketches, A Chapter on Iowa Journalism; AND Sketches of the West and Western Men

First edition, 8vo orig brown cloth, gilt spine titles,shelfwear and rubbing to extremes, ow VG/ndj: 336pp. No index.The author was editor of the Iowa State Register, before being stricken blind. Throughout, he offers reports on various treatments and potions he endured in an effort to delay the progress of his affliction. Chapters include a thorough exposition on newspapers and their respective editors throughout the state. One covers leading citizens of Des Moines, another does the same for the rest of Iowa. Subsequent chapters detailing mis-adventures with insulted readers, bad writers and general hawkeye-fools, disguising the targets under pseudonyms. his wife, Mary, served as his amanuensis.