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v Acknowledgments Several people contributed in different ways to the making of this book: former marketing and editorial director James D. Simmons of the Southern Illinois University Press, whose suggestion that I work with Southern Illinois materials resulted in earlier books; former Press director John F. Stetter, who suggested that I write this book; and the Press’ current editor-in-chief, Karl Kageff, who served as acquisitions editor and improved it. The Press’ editing, design, and production manager, Barb Martin, shaped the volume, which was edited by Wayne Larsen; Lola Starck produced the maps. I have been helped also by resources and personnel from Southern Illinois University ’s Morris Library and by its Special Collections Research Center. I am grateful also to Professor Daniel Overturf for helping me locate several of his former photography students and their photos; to Professor Carole Lawson for translating various French phrases; to family friend Emily Williams for her computer expertise; and especially to my wife, Thyra Russell, who helped throughout. I am grateful also to Professor Henry Dan Piper, whose 1973 book Land between the Rivers: The Southern Illinois Country served as precedent. Piper recognized the uniqueness of the region, even to the point of capitalizing the S on Southern Illinois, a practice I have continued in the pages that follow. ...

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