Private Joe Fifer, Inscribed to Clarence Darrow

Inscribed to Clarence Darrow by a Notable Chicago Journalist Bennett, James O'Donnell [1870-1940]. "Private Joe" Fifer: Memories of War and Peace Imparted in His Ninety-Sixth Year by Joseph W. Fifer at the Request of The Chicago Tribune and Recorded by James O'Donnell Bennett. Bloomington: Pantagraph Printing & Stationery Co., 1936. [iv], 104 pp. Frontispiece. Original blue cloth, gilt title to front board and spine. Dampstaining to binding and text block with bubbling to front board, front hinge split after front free endpaper, rear hinge starting, frontispiece and preceding leaf loosening slightly at head, a few cracks to text block, some leaves loosening slightly but secure, portrait leaves (including frontispiece) and preceding blanks adhered together, possibly due to dampstaining. Extensive presentation inscription from the author to front free endpaper. $500. * Only edition. The inscription reads: "You, dear Clarence, like genuineness- and naught else. And so I make bold to send for your glance this bit of Americana that presents one of a grand old line that did their work according to their lights and now are serenely going into the blessed we-know-not-what. Fond wishes for your health of body and peace of mind. Faithfully yours Jimmie (James O'Donnell Bennett) New Years, 1937. Tribune Tower, Chicago." Bennett was a journalist and author working for the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Record-Herald. Darrow cultivated relationships with many Chicago journalists; the two may also have connected through the Jesse Binga case, which Bennett covered for the Tribune while Darrow served as Binga's attorney.…