In 1993, I asked the now late local attorney James E. Pardee if he would write a foreword for my upcoming book Honey Lake Justice: The Neversweats of the 1860s. Jim, of course, obliged. Of course, that was thirty years ago. While recently reviewing what Jim wrote, a lot is still relevant.  The the following was Jim’s opening paragraph.

”We live in an age of excesses—and on occasion it is good to have these pointed out, directly or indirectly, so that we can endeavor to do better the next time around. I am sure that Mr. Purdy didn’t intend to preach or point a finger. However, when you read his book and are brought to realize that people brought suit to recover $63.65 for a month’s lodging , $51.50 for back wages and finally a bar bill for 23 drinks at 25 cents a drink for a total of $5.75; we can’t help but reason that inflation in today’s market has gone mad.”

Tim