%% Copyright 2003 C Bradley Dilger, <dilger@nwe.ufl.edu>.
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% started 10 Mar 2003
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First, before all else, and for so many reasons, I thank my wife Erin Easterling.

My doctoral committee---Greg Ulmer, Stephanie Smith, Blake Scott, and Joe Wilson---have guided this dissertation, helped me develop the long-term project it represents, supported other research, and allowed me to cultivate an eclectic focus.

Sid Dobrin and Phil Wegner provided extremely valuable assistance throughout my graduate studies, gladly helping me whenever I requested advice, letters of reference, or a bit more time to finish an essay. Joe Martin and Lucille Schultz both helped a graduate student they had never met get a copy of a rare but very important dissertation which has helped focus this project immeasurably. Jeff Rice, Erich Nunn, and Traci Gardner read drafts of this dissertation or other related work, and provided valuable advice and suggestions. Jane Love helped work out the framework of the last chapter, which includes some of the trickiest material presented here.

Bruce Leland and the faculty of Western Illinois University recently welcomed me to their campus and asked me to become their colleague.

The players of the WTFL, past and present, haven't contributed much which can be cited in this work, but they've helped make it possible by cheerfully rumblin' bumblin' and stumblin' through many Saturday mornings.

Ronald~L.~Corbin helped me survive high school and make it to the university---where I feel \emph{much} more at home. I aspire to his wisdom and sense of humor, and am proud to have been his student. In many ways, I still am.