July 27, 1959: Another downbeat "Peanuts" strip from the Cold War era that you won't see in the sitcom legacy version.

Back to Aimee

Ever since the book "The Vanishing Evangelist," the story of the Aimee Semple
McPherson kidnapping affair, was published about two months ago a
controversy has existed concerning the identity of the author, Lately
Thomas.

Critics and reviewers disagreed as to whether the name was real or a pseudonym. The publisher, naturally, let them argue.

I
wrote here that it seemed an unlikely name and promptly received a
friendly letter from San Francisco signed Lately Thomas, stating it was
his true name, the only one he has.

I don't know who wrote the letter but I know now it was a phony because I have just talked with the man who wrote the book.

HE IS A NEWSPAPERMAN who
prefers to remain anonymous. His first name is Bob. "I've been around a
long time," he said, "and publicity means nothing to me."

 He has
worked on papers in the East and San Francisco. He came to Los Angeles
four years ago, became interested in the Aimee story from newspaper
files and decided to have a go at it.

"Newspapermen always talk about writing a book but very few of them ever do," he said. "I'm still surprised at myself."

Not
too surprised, though. A contract is being drawn up for a New York
stage play based on the book. Meanwhile, Bob has just finished and is
copying a second book, "Aimee and Ma," dealing with the life and times
and hassles of the evangelist and her vigorous mother, Ma Kennedy.

How did he decide on the name Lately Thomas? Both were family names, he replied. One ancestor, of English origin, was named Leightly, but when he came to this country he got tired of spelling it for people and changed it.

While
checking some facts in the religion room of the public library a few
days ago Bob was assailed with the curiosity common to new authors.

He
went to the card file to see if the library had his book. There it was,
in great company — Thomas  Kempis, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Lately.

Doggone it, I forgot to ask him, "Have you read any good books lately, Lately?"