You people are just too smart. Last week, I mentioned a non-numismatic book by Mint Director James Ross Snowden, and practically dared you to guess its title. Well, Mike Paradis and Pete Smith both responded swiftly and correctly - the answer is "The Cornplanter Memorial", 1867.

Great minds think alike, as you'll see. When I asked how they knew the answer, Pete Smith replied: "As a biographer, I am interested in things people do outside numismatics as those are frequently more interesting. Often my sources have been publications for specific professions. (Who's Who in Insurance or Who's Who in Medicine, as examples.) Last week I bought a copy of William Sheldon's "Atlas of Men" for $10.50 which I consider a very good price. I already had two other books he wrote on non-numismatic topics. Sheldon is one of very few authors where I collect non-numismatic titles.

I will give you two answers to your question and you can pick the one you like best.

As with magic, often the fun is lost when you learn how a trick is done."

Mike Paradis confessed as well: "No, I don't own a copy. I found it at the Library of Congress web site. However, this is on ABEBOOKS." [Editor's note: the bookseller web site address is: http://www.abebooks.com/ And so I don't have to retype the full citation, I'll quote the listing Mike forwarded: ]

"Snowden, James Ross: THE CORNPLANTER MEMORIAL. AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CY-ANT-WA-CHIA - THE CORNPLANTER, AND OF THE SIX NATIONS OF INDIANS...AND THE REPORT OF SAMUEL P. JOHNSON, ON THE ERECTION OF THE MONUMENT AT JENNESADAGA, TO THE MEMORY OF CORNPLANTER. Harrisburg, Pa. 1867. 115pp. Frontis. Half title. Dbd., stitched.

Cornplanter was chief of the Six Indian Nations. Also printed herein are speeches by John Luke, councilor of the Seneca Nation, and Stephen Smith, chief of the Six Nations.

Appendices provide speeches of Cornplanter, an address to him by President Washington, and the present condition of the Six Nations."

For more information on Cornplanter, see this web site: http://salisburypa.com/indian.html