Lot 284: MATHEWS, ALFRED EDWARD. 1831-1874. Interesting Narrative; Being a Journal of the Flight of Alfred E. Mathews, of Stark Co., Ohio. From the State of Texas.... [New Philadelphia, OH: By the author], 1861.

Interesting Narrative; Being a Journal of the Flight of Alfred E. Mathews, of Stark Co., Ohio. From the State of Texas.... [New Philadelphia, OH: By the author], 1861.
[2], [7]-34, [1] pp. 8vo (221 x 147 mm). Original printed blue wrappers. Custom cloth folding case. Evenly toned, faint foxing, first two leaves with upper fore-edge corner restored, wrappers with restoration to spine and to upper fore-edge corner, penciled identification to front wrapper, an excellent copy.

FIRST EDITION OF THIS CIVIL WAR TRAVEL NARRATIVE. Mathews, a northern sympathizer working as a teacher in Alabama during the rise of the Secessionist movement, fled conscription in Alabama for East Texas, where he soon realized Texas was also about to secede. In this work he narrates his eventual escape to Ironton, Missouri, much of it on foot. He includes many interesting travel anecdotes and observations about the people he meets and the southern notions of the north. He spends much of his journey avoiding danger, including a narrow escape from being hung in Arkedelphia, Arkansas. Howes M412; Streeter sale 403.
Acquistion: purchased from William Reese Company, 2000, $14,000.