Gaston County

Heritage Book Has Been Stolen!!!

In 1999 I came up with the idea of publishing a Gaston County Heritage Book. Many people had expressed interest in such a book and I saw the need for it. I consulted several people and one, Paul Hampton Dellinger, of Lincolnton agreed to help. Paul and I had worked on several books before and were members of the Gaston/Lincoln Genealogy Club together.

 

At the time I decided to do the book I had sold my business and had not started back to work yet. Although I felt sure I could pre-sell enough copies of the book to commence publication I was hesitant. So, Paul made me an interesting offer. He would underwrite the cost of publishing the book for half of the finished books.

 

Hopeful that he would not have to put any money into the book we agreed that all pre-sales of the book would go into a joint bank account from which we would pay expenses, with the remainder going to pay for publishing. Since Paul was underwriting the book and all presales of the book were being credited toward publishing we agreed that all presales were to come from his half of the book.

 

This and help gathering a committee were the extent of Paul’s involvement in the book. Paul had helped on the Lincoln County Heritage Book and felt the members of that committee would help on our committee.

 

My wife, a few volunteers, and myself typed every word in the book. I laid out every page, placed every picture. We spent literally thousands of hours turning the submitted stories and photos into a book.

 

In January of 2002 Paul and my relationship started getting rocky after he took all of the money from the bank without my knowledge. After I filed a complaint with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office, Paul agreed to pay the money he withdrew on the book.

 

In March of 2002 I submitted the final manuscript for publishing. The printer was to print a proof from which we could correct any final mistakes. While I was awaiting this final proof Paul in secret contacted the printer and obtained the proof. Without informing me, and without my consent he and the committee proceeded to make corrections and changes to the book. Because neither Paul nor anyone on the committee was proficient in Adobe PageMaker they incurred several thousand dollars in editing charges from the printer. These services were all services I could have done myself at no charge had I been informed of there need.

 

In July 2002, a meeting was called between Myself, Paul and the Printer. At this meeting I was informed for the first time of the events subsequent of March 1, 2002. I was notified for the first time of the additional charges that had been incurred by Paul and the Committee. Needless to say I became enraged to the point I informed Paul, and the Printer that work was to stop immediately on the book, that no further charges were to be incurred, and that unless Paul and I could come to some sort of agreement the presale monies would have to be returned, and I left the meeting.

 

I heard nothing further from Paul or the Printers and in September a customer informed me that she had received her book and wanted to purchase another one. I was shocked for I had no idea the book had been completed without my knowledge and permission. I immediately called the printer and was informed Paul had picked up all copies of the book. I went to the library, where for the first time I got to see “my” book. Paul had put his name in the copyright notice and had in affect stolen my book.

 

I contacted Paul immediately and was told I had no books. I have contacted several attorneys who have been amazed and would love to handle my case but the fees quoted have been more than I can afford. I hope to find an attorney who will handle the case on a contingency schedule.  In the meanwhile I felt I must inform anyone interested in a copy of the book what has happened.

 

 

Thanks,

Neal Caskey

President

Gaston County Heritage Book Committee