Lot 471: Lew Wallace

Lew Wallace
Union general (1827-1905) who became better known as the author of the best-selling religio-historical novel Ben-Hur. ALS, one page, 6.5 x 11, November 15, 1889. Letter, marked "Private," to Secretary of the Interior, John Willock Noble. In full: "I hear that Dr. James M. Dinnen, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, has been reappointed on Pension Medical Board for Allen county. Permit me to suggest that it wold be good policy to keep him in the place, especially for that county, which is the heaviest Democratic in the State. I don't know if anybody will try to oust him; should the effort be made, it would be well to shut it off." Cryptically, Wallace adds in a postscript, "I will explain fully next time I meet you. L.W." Partial separations along intersecting folds, two pencil notations to top right, and some ink transfer from another letter to lower portion, otherwise fine condition.