Q: The movie “Capote” followed Truman Capote’s exploits during the time he wrote the book “In Cold Blood.” He had an assistant with him named Nelle. What was their relationship? — T.W., Buffalo, N.Y.
A: First, some background information. In November 1959, two former convicts broke into the home of a wealthy farmer in Holcomb, Kan., with intent to rob him. They had been given a tip from a fellow inmate that a large amount of money could be found in a home safe. There was no money and no safe. The husband, wife and two of their children were all shot to death. Capote became fascinated with the murders and decided to pursue the story. He enlisted the help of Nelle Harper Lee, a childhood friend as well as the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” (for which she would win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961). Along with assisting in the research of the novel, Lee also approached locals, requesting input into the killings. About six weeks after the crime, two men — Richard Hickock and Perry Smith — were captured in Las Vegas, Nev. Convicted in March 1960, the two men were executed by hanging on April 14, 1965. After the executions, Capote finished his book. “In Cold Blood” was first published in January 1966.
Q: Whatever happened to Melvin Dummar, who achieved temporary fame in the “Mormon will” of Howard Hughes? Did he get any monetary gain out of the whole fiasco? I heard a rumor that he mysteriously disappeared in 1980. Is this true? — P.J.M, Bangor, Maine
A: Melvin Dummar claimed that he saved Howard Hughes when he found him in a Nevada desert in 1967; Hughes allegedly remembered this kindness in his will by giving Dummar part of his estate. A Las Vegas court declared the will to be a fake in 1978. In 2006, Dummar filed suit in Utah against the primary beneficiary of Hughes’ estate and also the man who had been chief operating officer of many of Hughes’ holdings. In January 2007, a Utah district-court judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the Las Vegas ruling was carefully and fairly litigated. To date, he has not received any money from the will of Howard Hughes. As of 2008, Dummar lived in Utah with his wife of many years. By the way, it is called the “Mormon will” because, after Hughes’ death in April 1976, a handwritten will was discovered at the Salt Lake City headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, giving the church and Dummar a large portion of Hughes’ wealth.
Q: In the early 1990s, my company hired a motivational speaker by the name of Kimmel. As far as speakers go, he was OK. He had an unusual claim to fame, but I do not recall it. Do you know? — G.G., Yakima, Wash.
A: The extra details you provided lead me to believe that Paul M. Kimelman was the speaker. He held the Guinness world record for fastest weight loss. At age 19, his weight topped 520 pounds. In seven months and three days, he lost more than 400 pounds, for which he gained fame in “Guinness World Records.” He became a public speaker in the 1980s and 1990s. He released a book, “Life in the Fat Lane,” in 1991.
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