SOURCE: “An Author Wrecked by Success,” in Studies in Literature, Vol. 10, No's. 1, 2, 3, 1978, pp. 103-21.

In the following essay, Manheim discusses the initial impact of Raintree County in popular and literary reading circles and attempts to account for the novel's disappearance into oblivion in subsequent years.

The New York Times for 8 March 1948 carried a substantial news article which deals with the suicide which is here being considered:

          LOCKRIDGE, AUTHOR, SUICIDE AT 33; WORN BY WRITING ‘RAINTREE COUNTY’                                                   by the United Press 

Bloomington, Ind. March 7—Ross F. Lockridge Jr., 33, author of the best-selling novel Raintree County, was found dead in his locked garage late last night and authorities announced today he was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.

A verdict of suicide was returned this afternoon. Dr. Robert E. Lyons Jr., Monroe County coroner, who returned the suicide verdict, said he has not been able to determine a motive.

Mr. Lockridge was...