Joe, I was just reading a Berkove article, in which I believe he made the
statement that Sam learned hoaxes from hoaxers in the West and then bettered
them; that hoaxes of one form or another were beneath every one of his
sketches and books afterward. If I paraphrase him incorrectly, I will defer
to an actual quote if and when I can find that article again. It seems to
have slipped into the black hole that is my den.

David H Fears
"'Umble, neither Rogue nor Loon"