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Grex History Item 34: J.H. Kellogg and "The Road To Wellville"
Entered by mwarner on Tue Sep 20 23:14:19 UTC 1994:

  In 1993 T. Coraghessen Boyle's "The Road To Wellville" was published. 
This work of fiction is based on the Life and Times of John Harvey Kellogg
(1852-1943) and his "San" at Battle Creek, Michigan.  While some major
facts were rearranged (and of course the fine details of dialogue,
characters and plot reside mostly in the realm of fiction) the book
presents some very interesting and authentic descriptions. 

  Next month, Hollywood steps forward with the Anthony Hopkins-as-J.H.
Kellogg version of the book.

  I enjoyed the book enormously, and look forward to the film.

  Any comments on the History/Fiction connection between J.H. Kellogg
and "The Road To Wellville"?

6 responses total.

#1 of 6 by tnt on Wed Sep 21 23:43:16 1994:

 None from me.

#2 of 6 by mwarner on Thu Sep 22 19:09:25 1994:

  The Detroit Free Press is working on what will probably be a fairly
lengthy and detailed story about J.H. Kellogg.  I've been at the table
next to a researcher from the Freep at the Bentley library all week.  The
fellow has been working his way through the papers of J.H.K. and taking
copious notes.  Each day this week he as been feeding his laptop details
from the letters, documents, etc. in the collection.  He's been there
before I show up (10:30 A.M. or so) and still there when I leave around 2.
This stands in contrast to most reporters visits, where they typically are
looking for some quick biographical material, a picture or two or anything
that can be scooped up in an hour or two.  (and that is fine for a brief
story), but they usually recoil from the extended sessions with
manuscripts and papers.

  Among the material he brought in with him is his copy of "The Road To
Wellville".  I'll be interested to see the content and context of the
article when it is published.

#3 of 6 by rcurl on Thu Sep 22 20:30:43 1994:

And, is *he* looking over *your* shoulder?

#4 of 6 by mwarner on Thu Sep 22 22:18:26 1994:

No, I'm not dealing with Kellogg stuff right now.  If I was, I'm sure we'd
have a conversation about it. Most of the Kelloggisms I'm involved with
would be too trivial for what he probably needs.  He has discussed his
project in some detail with other researchers there.  Particularly a
couple of Kellogg researchers seated behind me that were agitated because
he was hogging the box with their unprocessed copy order.  The infernal
clacking of keys in my ear which drowned my concentration tipped me as to
the volume of data entering his laptop. Whenever walking by his or any
researchers desk, I *of course* avert my eyes.  If my *reporting* here
strikes you as having occured at the shoulder peeking level, I forgive you
your beffudleness. It hasn't.  And I don't owe professional courtesy, cuz I
ain't a perfessinal.  I did used to work on a newspaper, and so understand
that dirty business of reporting somewhat. I've engaged in that business
poorly here, leaving out many facts which are available.

#5 of 6 by mwarner on Fri Sep 23 00:05:59 1994:

In item 1, polygon writes "even ancient history becomes late breaking
news" and "...we have a lot of things we can talk about"... 
..."Historical research. How does one go about finding out..."

  The connections of history (and something of how they are arrived at),
is the broader heart of this item.   I am using J.H. Kellogg as an
example; because he is coming into the public consciousness (see #0 and
#2) and is an interesting figure about whom many topics could revolve.

#6 of 6 by mwarner on Fri Dec 2 00:22:45 1994:

Puff! Puff! <mwarner blows cyberdust off the history cf.>

  The Bentley Library on the North Campus of The U.of Mich. has a very
interesting display under construction featuring letters, photographs and
documents from J.H. Kellogg's San in Battle Creek.

  The display is in several cases throughout the library. (or will be when
it is completed).  The BL is a closed stack library, but anyone may wander
in and have a look at the displays.  You will be approached by a reference
librarian in the reading room as you enter the building.  "I'd like to see
the Kellogg display" should get you directions and maybe some information
if they are not busy.  Everything is right there in the reading room as
you enter the building.  The entrance is on Beal (just south of the east
end of Bonisteel 1 long block past the North Campus Commons).

  "The Road to Wellville" has vanished from local theaters.  I guess a
movie about enemas couldn't compete with the death of Captain Kirk.

---

  P.S.  Whoa!  I've been away from the North Campus for about six weeks,
and has the rise of structural steel ever changed the face of that locale?
(Yes, it has.)

  I understand an anonymous donor gave 50 mil for the construction of a
North Campus Bell Tower, which is now taking shape.  BTW the North Campus
will now be officially known as The Ollie North Campus. (I don't think the
donor was anon, and it really wasn't Ollie, but there is a new Bell Tower
going up thanks to a private donation for such.)

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