In the Heart of a Fool

Ox teams arrive on an open prairie with a printing press, merchandise, and the hopes of families seeking equal opportunity after the American Civil War. William Allen White introduces the founders of Harvey as a theatrical cast, including printers Amos and Mary Adams, Dr. Nesbit, Captain Morton, and merchant Daniel Sands. This American novel begins with the making of a town and asks how its buildings and institutions express the ideals of its people.

Thirty years later, Harvey has grown beside the industrial communities of the Wahoo Valley. The narrator pauses to consider which pioneers prospered and which workers missed the promised opportunities. A scene involving Morty Sands, a generous offer of money, and his father’s political spending gives those questions a personal edge. Readers interested in the social life of a developing town will find an expansive cast, conversational humor, and reflections on wealth, ambition, and responsibility.