Poor White

“A story that pays careful attention to what it meant (and means) to live in the Midwest, open to both its charms and its challenges.” —Sarah Laskow, The Millions

Hugh McVey moves from Missouri to the agrarian town of Bidwell, Ohio. He invents a mechanical cabbage planter to ease the burden of famers, but an investor in town exploits his product, which fails to succeed. His next invention, a corn cutter, makes him a millionaire and transforms Bidwell into a center of manufacturing. McVey, ...