100	HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

	A small volume of 156 pages in book form, entitled “How to Punc-
tuate,” or “Plain and Practical Guide to the Use of Points in the Punc-
turing of Language,” appeared in the summer of 1889, William Travis,
author and publisher.
	In the fall of the year 1884, Mrs. Mary B. Hussey, of Brazil, con-
tributed to the Youth’s Companion, published by Perry Mason & Co.,
Boston, an original prize story entitled “Davie,” for which she received
the first award in the competitive contest of seven thousand contributors.
Mrs. Hussey contributed to the literary press numerous productions of
fine taste and merit, including a number of poems.
	The literary production reflecting the greatest credit upon Clay
county talent was the publication in book-form entitled “Hannah, the
Odd Fellows’ Orphan,” from the ready pen of Mrs. A. D. Hawkins,
Brazil, a volume of 230 pages, illustrated, dedicated to the Daughters of
Rebekah of the United States, which appeared in 1879, and from the
popular appreciation went through several editions. This was the first
book published in the United States of which the cover was embellished
with the symbols of the Order of Odd Fellows. The author was highly
complimented by unsolicited congratulations from John G. Whittier,
Schuyler Colfax, many clergymen of high standing; and other eminent
and capable critics. Mrs. Hawkins was the author, also, of the Masonic
war story entitled “Jot, the News Boy,” published as a serial in the
Brazil Register, running through, perhaps, as many as twenty numbers,
which was eagerly read, appreciated, and complimented. She began
contributing to the weekly papers and magazines in her school days and
has all along through the years written articles for numerous publications,
east and west, all of which have been accepted, having at no time received
in recognition of her contribution the stereotyped “Declined, with thanks.”
Her war stories and sketches were eagerly sought by the Indianapolis and
Cincinnati papers. Her stories, “The Scout’s Last Ride,” “Farmer Bly,”
or “The Hero of Cold Spring Valley,” and “The Soldier’s Bride,” which
were copyrighted, passed, simultaneously, through an illustrated press
association of thirty-five different papers.
	Robert L. Keith, of Brazil, is the author and publisher of two books,
entitled, respectively, “Twenty Years on the Road, or Funny Experiences
in the Patent Right and Traveling Business,” a volume of 228 pages,
copyrighted 1893, and issued from the Baker-Randolph press, Indi-
anapolis; and “The Country Merchant of Fifty Years Ago, from the
Funny Side, and Some Other Things,” copyrighted in 1895, and issued
from the same press.
	Frank A. Homer, of the Clay county bar, prepared the copy on the
revision of the statutes of Indiana, 1896, as published by E. B. Myers
& Co., Chicago; also, the revision of 1901, issued by the Lawyers’ Co-.
operative Publishing Company, Rochester, N. Y. He is also the compiler
and author of the following: “Newspaper and Legal Advertising Laws,”
published, 1897. “State and Federal Liquor Laws,” 1900. “Homer’s
Treatise on the Liquor Laws of Indiana,” 1900. “Homer’s Criminal
Forms for the State of Indiana,” 1903.
	A History of Clay County, published by Batty & Co., Chicago, 1884,
was prepared by different writers, the first 85 pages of civil or general
history, by William Travis, the 52 pages of military history, by Jacob S.
Herr, that of Brazil township and city by A. F. Bridges, that of Wash-