A Victim of Bad Books

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 10, 1882

A Victim of Bad Books.

WILLIAMSON, the discharged clerk of the Department of Justice, who is accused in the Police Court of purloining valuable autograph letters from the department, is a brother of Judge Williamson of this city. He was formerly Pardon Clerk in the Department of Justice; and has been regarded by his associates as a man of more than ordinary ability. The officials in the department say that Williamson's downfall came from his passion for collecting improper books and publications. His mind became debauched from constant perusal of rare works of this character. He took to drink, and rapidly sank from one position to another, until finally he has been discharged. It is said a noted lobbyist furnished the capital for his collection of notorious books, and that he aided Williamson in gathering together a lot of curious and revolting foreign and native publications. Two months ago, it is said, Williamson sold his entire collection for $2,000 to a wealthy citizen of New York, who has a taste for forbidden literature.—San Francisco Chronicle.