Many of you remember James Darwin Stephens from the class of 1933.  Jim retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army and resided in Georgetown, Ky.  with his wife Glenda.  He was most active in alumni issues until his death in the mid 1990s.  Jim spent 20 years of his own time and $30,000.00 of his own money pursuing an accurate written and pictorial account of the history of the Kentucky Military Institute.  The final work was a masterpiece.  Two hundred fifty copies originally were printed by the Berea Press at a cost to Jim of $100.00 per book.  Many of you bought the first edition for yourselves while others donated the books to libraries, historical societies, and city halls around Kentucky. All proceeds were returned to Jim's widow, Glenda.

The influence of KMI can be seen all over the country.  Here in Pensacola, Fl., for example, we have a park called Ferdinand Plaza.  A memorial to Pensacola shipping magnate William Dudley Chipley shares its space with a bust of Andrew Jackson.  Chipley was responsible for building Pensacola's shipping business after the Civil War.  He is an 1857 graduate of KMI.  Jim provides a fine biological sketch on Chipley in his book.  I often had contemplated going back to the Berea Press to see if a second printing would be possible.  Dick Stephsenson, from the class of 1958, checked into it and returned with disturbing news.  The Berea Press is out of business, and no one knows the whereabouts of Jim's original materials.....including the plates. 

What to do, what to do, what to do?????

Enter Bill Victor, class of 1969.  Bill owns a publishing company in Akron, Oh.  I sent a water damaged copy of a first edition up to him for his expert opinion.  Today's state-of-the-art reproduction technology can give us a top quality second printing.  Bill said the actual cost of production could be under $150.00 per book if we can confirm enough orders.  Keep in mind that  Jim Stephens entertained bids, resulting in a $100.00 per book production cost, fifteen years ago. 

Thanks,

Leon

Leon Hirsh, KMI '68
800-332-1411
Lhirsh5049@aol.com