Author's Note

HIS narrative is fact, not fiction. The only inventions are the author’s conjectures and opinions, and these, it is hoped, are clearly evident as such. A few liberties have been taken in paragraphing and spelling. For instance, it has seemed best to make the same word, as heard and written differently by different individuals, or by the same individual at different times, sufficiently consistent in spelling so that the general reader can recognize it as the same word. The result is unscholarly in the strict sense but offers less interruption to the story.

It goes without saying that there are errors. For these, as for his opinions, the author offers neither defense nor excuse except that he has presented a great man as faithfully as has lain within his powers.