Epilogue

Epilogues inevitably fulfill the axiom that "Truth Will Prevail." Charges were dropped against me in both Jackson County and Boone County, Missouri.(1) No person ever claimed to be an eyewitness to any of the alleged book thefts.

Frank Brown, the detective sergeant, confessed to evidence tampering and was suspended by the University of Missouri Police Department after thirty-one years of service (or disservice).(2) He invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, refused to testify in my case, and left town. He was investigated by a special prosecutor, since evidence tampering to impede a person's defense is a felony.(3) Newspapers published the news: "MU police officer Frank Brown was charged today with evidence tampering in a case involving the disappearance of a rare Mormon book from the State Historical Society [of Missouri]."(4) He was convicted.

The State of Missouri revealed that it had unclaimed property consisting of a first edition Book of Mormon. The Secretary of State conveyed the book to the State Historical Society of Missouri as its legal owner (announced on 16 May 1995).(5)

On the same day that newspapers announced that the charges were dropped, Graceland College posted a notice on the Internet admitting that they were confused about missing Mormon books: "We have only recently done an inventory of our rare book collection, so some of these books may have been missing for quite some time. We feel sure, though, that others have only recently disappeared."(6)

The Kansas City Public Library advertised in the classifieds that they were looking for new librarians. They included the footer, "Committed to Cultural Diversity."(7)

One assistant prosecutor working on the case was so impressed by the ethics of my attorney, that the assistant prosecutor applied at my attorney's law firm to become a defense attorney, and to defend innocent people like me.

Just two weeks after the charges were dropped, Dena and I debuted anew in the Mormon book market during a University of Michigan rare book auction. We bid a sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, competed against every collector in the country, and were successful in acquiring unique broadsides printed by early Mormons. They were quietly shelved in my vaults, symbolic of our still intact ability to procure capital.(8)

Today, 18 August 1995, I purchased a first edition Book of Mormon.(9) A librarian once said of acquiring such a book, "Sometimes you get lucky," but I give glory and thanks to God. We continue to pay premium prices for Mormon imprints, autographs, art, and relics, while retaining honor in our distinctive ethnicity.  [I went on to purchase more than three dozen copies of the first edition Book of Mormon by 2001].

Mormon Lawfulness

To the decalogue was eternally my outlook,
So his sacrament I oft gave and partook.
Adversaries and in-laws said, "He's a kook,"
Would they tar me or use a tenterhook?

Suddenly they charged, "Get the crook!"
Because they'd once mislaid their book.
Score years before me there'd been a rook,
Now at me old Missouri's finger shook.

Without cause the police did vainly look,
On my home's shelves and in every nook.
Searching then east to watery Aroostook,
Far west beyond Rockies' wind Chinook.

No! I was naively just an inquiring spook,
With receipts you'll see me off the hook.
Innumerable days I didn't dip cup nor cook,
As I quietly prayed by Voree's white brook.

Each librarian you'll realize is a schnook,
Because they'll find she deliberately mistook.
Stout empress she'll be in exposed nainsook,
At intolerance, ethical noses ought to snook.

My faith in Jesus hasn't ever been forsook,
God's promises have no such gobbledygook.
For I am obedient to the Book of Mormon,
And more, the Book of the Law of the Lord.

All that, did my accusers overlook?(10)

1. "MU Theft Case Dropped after Alleged Tampering," Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune, 22 April 1995; "MU Police Blunder: Charges Dropped," Columbia Missourian, 23 April 1995; "Rare Book Dealer's Charges Dropped Due to Coin's Date," Independence (Missouri) Examiner, 24 April 1995; and "Book Charges Dropped: Dealer Points to Coin as Proof That He Didn't Steal Rare Volume," Kansas City Star, 25 April 1995.

2. See Motion to Compel Deposition of State's Witness Detective Frank Brown, Missouri v. Hajicek, Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, 14 April 1995.

3. "MU Suspends Officer after Case Collapses: Crane Seeks Special Prosecutor to Examine Rare-book Inquiry," Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune, 25 April 1995; and Revised Statutes of Missouri, 575.100 (Offenses Against the Administration of Justice).

4. Columbia (Missouri) Tribune, 13 June 1995. See also Richard Callahan, Special Prosecuting Attorney [Cole County Prosecuting Attorney], Information, State of Missouri v. Frank Brown, Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri, 13 June 1995.

5. "Duplicate Done by the Book," Kansas City Star, 16 May 1995.

6. Francis Acland to Rare Books and Special Collections Forum, EXLIBRIS @RUTVM1.BITNET, 25 April 1995, emphasis added.

7. See for example the Kansas City Star, Sunday, 14 May 1995, emphasis added.

8. During the year in which the charges were pending, we continued to acquire rare books, including for example a copy of Orson Pratt, An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions . . . (Edinburgh: Ballantyne and Hughes, 1840), autographed by John E. Page and the first known copy with a cover wrapper.

9. Provenance from Charles Wilson, Miami, Oklahoma.

10. Composed by John Hajicek in September 1994.

Book Copyright � 1995 John Hajicek.  All rights reserved.