Betty Mr. Dellinger sent me an email to contact Neal Caskey. I had communicated with him several times during the period of time I was transcribing for him. He seems like a really straight up fellow. I still don't regret working with him. I know there was more than me who volunteered for the project and deserve a book. I contacted Neal and he wrote me a very interesting email. Mr. Dellinger took all the funds in the bank account without informing Neal. He apparently paid for the publication...amount unspecified by Mr. Caskey. From what Neal told me there will probably be a litigation resulting. Mr. Dellinger took all the books. Neal was left with nothing. I wrote Mr. Dellinger a very firm letter telling him that I would contact the Heritage Book Committee, the Historical Society and would be perfectly willing to advertise the fact to every mail list and message board I could locate that the "deal had gone sour". He said he was sending me a book and I had already offered to reimburse postage. But....what about all the other volunteers who worked on the project????????? He simply wrote..."The book committee did not know he had promised books to people for helping type. He was suppost (his spelling not mine) to do it". (That is the poorest excuse I have ever heard. One person was supposed to transcribe and edit every article submitted for the book??? A herculean task, at the least. I have seen many of these books...there are thousands of articles in some and to tell me that one person was to do it all was an insult to normal intelligence) (Here is a copy of the email from Mr. Caskey) Joyce I have forwarded your e-mail to Paul Dellinger as I am not able to help you at this time. Please let me explain: In 1999 I approached Paul Dellinger about doing a Gaston County Heritage Book. Paul had worked on the Lincoln Co. Heritage and was knew with how it was done. I had not ever worked on one and was relatively new to genealogical circles so I welcomed Paul's help. Paul agreed to help me with the project and we decided to structure it similar to the way the Lincoln County book was done. The only difference was this was to be a "For Profit Book" where the Lincoln Co. Book was non profit or more accurately the profits went to the Lincoln Co. Historical Society. Because Paul was well know in genealogical circles and had many more contacts than I did, I agreed to split all profit with Paul 50/50 his only duties with the book was to lend his "good Name" and compile a committee of volunteers to help with the book. Since he was already friends with the committee that worked on the Lincoln County Book he was able to solicit their help. We also agreed to put both our names on the bank account so if something happened to either one of us the other could finish the book. This February Paul unknown to me and without my permission withdrew all funds from our bank account and closed it. Immediately when I found out I called the Sheriffs Dept. and filed a complaint, The Sheriffs Dept spoke with Paul who assured them that he had not diverted any money to his own use but had simply purchased Certified Checks to pay the printer with. Well needless to say a rift developed between Paul and I, but with his assurances that he had the funds and everything was fine I turned the "final manuscript over to the printer March 1. Unknown to me Paul notified the printer and told them I was no longer involved with the book. I learned on the internet that the book was finished. I called the printer who informed me Paul had picked up all 2,000 copies of the book. I contacted Paul who refused to give me my share of the books. Immediately I contacted my attorney and have an appointment with him Tuesday as to what legal remedies I have. I expect embezzlement, fraud and other charges will be forth coming. I would suggest that anyone wishing to purchase a book hold off until the issues can be sorted out in the legal system. ----- Original Message ----- From: Joyce Reece To: ostrich@bellsouth.net Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 4:50 PM Subject: Book I understand the Gaston Co, Heritage Book is out. Am I due a copy as a transcription volunteer. Thanks, Neal ----- Original Message ----- From: Bdhery@aol.com To: jreece@icx.net Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 5:56 PM Subject: Re: [NCGASTON] HERITAGE BOOKS Hi Joyce: Try offering to pay the postage which is about $4.00 and ask that they send you the book. I sent one excellent article for one of my family, another for another and one for myself. I never heard anything. In 2001, i sent a check for two books, and it was never cashed. when I did my taxes this year I contacted the person that i sent the articles to. Neal Caskey. Neal told me he was sorry that he had not answered my message in February of this year. Paul Dillinger, sent me a message that If I wanted the books I would have to be at the Library in Gastonia 2700 miles away today Saturday. Well we all know that that is impossible. I got 4 notes all telling me the same thing from him and that Neal did not have books for sale, and was quite nasty to go with it. I guess that is what money does to you. Last year I sent him a Cemetery book for both Lincol and Gason Counties, that was put out by one of the Churches. I had purchased in 1990 while visiting there. I also sent him 52 pages on the Shannon family, and another on the Glover and a third on the Gibson Family. All told 105 pages of families. plus the books. You would think he would at least be civil about answering to me.I am working on three books, but will now give them to Catawba County that does not behave that way. Also to York county, S>C. In 2000, I purchased the Heritage of Lincoln Co., they cashed the check and two and a half months later, I had not received the book. I wrote and no response. then I wrote a hot letter, saying I would like to know what was going on. I was told the books were all sold. I sent another message, saying that my money was accepted i n October and that was February, and I did expect to receive a book. about four weeks later, I got one that was slightly damages, but at least I did receive a book. I too have lots of family in Gaston/` Lincoln Co. My mother was born in Gaston, and lots of family still live there. Write him a E-Mail and again ask if the book would be sent if You send the postagae. That is a small price from the $60.00 that the rest of us will pay. Betty in Vallejo, Ca.