In Cold Blood: Dedication Acknowledgments Epitaph by Truman Capote Lyrics
For Jack Dunphy and Harper Lee
With my love and gratitude
***
All the material in this book not derived from my own observation is either taken from official records or is the result of interviews with the personas directly concerned, more often than not, numerous interviews conducted over a considerable period of time. Because these "collaborators" are identified within the text, it would be redundant to name them here; nevertheless, I want to express formal gratitude, for without their patient cooperation my task would have been impossible. Also, I would not attempt to make a roll call of all those Finney County citizens who, though their names do not appear in these pages, provided the author with a hospitality and friendship he can only reciprocate, but never repay. However, I do wish to thank certain persons whose contributions to my work were very specific: Dr. James McCain, President of the Kansas State University; Mr. Logan Sanford, and the staff of the Kansas Bureau of INvestigation; Mr. Charles McAtee, Director of the Kansas State Penal Institutions; Mr. CLifford R. Hope, Jr., whose assistance in legal matters was invaluable; and finally, but really foremost, Mr. William Shawn of The New Yorker, who encouraged me to undertake this project, and whose judgement stood me in good stead from first to last.
T.C.
***
Frères humains, qui après nous vivez,
N'ayez les cœurs contre nous endurcis,
Car, si pitié de nous pauvres avez,
Dieu en aura plus tôt de vous mercis.
François Villon,
Ballade des pendus
With my love and gratitude
***
All the material in this book not derived from my own observation is either taken from official records or is the result of interviews with the personas directly concerned, more often than not, numerous interviews conducted over a considerable period of time. Because these "collaborators" are identified within the text, it would be redundant to name them here; nevertheless, I want to express formal gratitude, for without their patient cooperation my task would have been impossible. Also, I would not attempt to make a roll call of all those Finney County citizens who, though their names do not appear in these pages, provided the author with a hospitality and friendship he can only reciprocate, but never repay. However, I do wish to thank certain persons whose contributions to my work were very specific: Dr. James McCain, President of the Kansas State University; Mr. Logan Sanford, and the staff of the Kansas Bureau of INvestigation; Mr. Charles McAtee, Director of the Kansas State Penal Institutions; Mr. CLifford R. Hope, Jr., whose assistance in legal matters was invaluable; and finally, but really foremost, Mr. William Shawn of The New Yorker, who encouraged me to undertake this project, and whose judgement stood me in good stead from first to last.
T.C.
***
Frères humains, qui après nous vivez,
N'ayez les cœurs contre nous endurcis,
Car, si pitié de nous pauvres avez,
Dieu en aura plus tôt de vous mercis.
François Villon,
Ballade des pendus