The Fulton Hills Gazette
July 15, 1954
“The Mystery of the Library Book Swap: A Tale of Mischief or Meaning?”

From the archives. Contributor: Spence Hutchins, Curator of the Fulton Hills Historical Society.

By Edith Marell, Staff Reporter

Fulton County has no shortage of peculiar tales, but few rival the intrigue of the Library Book Swap of 1887, an event that left residents both baffled and uneasy. Recently unearthed records of this incident have reignited speculation about its origins and purpose. Was it an elaborate prank, or did it carry a message, as some believe?

The event took place over a single night in late autumn. When the town librarian arrived the following morning, they found the shelves in complete disarray. Hundreds of books had been removed, their places on the shelves swapped with seemingly unrelated titles. Fiction books were placed in the history section, medical texts lined the children’s shelves, and religious tomes were hidden among botanical references.

Most puzzling of all, the books weren’t just rearranged—they appeared to have been selected with intention. It took weeks for the librarian and a team of volunteers to catalog the chaos, but as they worked, a pattern began to emerge.

A Hidden Message?

What initially seemed like nonsense soon took on a sinister tone. Certain combinations of books, when read in order, formed phrases that were chillingly specific. For example:

• From the history section: “Beware those who claim the righteous path.”
• From the children’s section: “Lies are seeds that grow in silence.”
• From religious texts: “Blood marks those who betray.”

While these phrases seemed cryptic on their own, some speculated they were warnings to specific individuals in the community. The most haunting discovery, however, was a single shelf filled with nothing but blank books. Each cover bore the title “You Will Know Us.”

The Dun Maylock Connection

At the time, Fulton County was still reeling from the violent acts attributed to the Dun Maylock, the secretive cult known for their brutal murders and cryptic warnings. Many believe the Library Book Swap was their work, a calculated move to unsettle the town and assert their dominance.

What makes this theory compelling is the final piece of evidence: a bloody handprint found on the library’s oak door. The print was faint, almost as if someone had tried to wipe it away, but its presence was unmistakable. The message was clear: the Dun Maylock’s reach extended even into places of learning and sanctuary.

Theories Abound

Opinions about the Library Book Swap have varied wildly over the decades:

• A Warning to the Powerful: Some suggest the books were arranged to deliver veiled threats to the town’s elite, who may have been targets of the Dun Maylock.
• A Test of Loyalty: Others theorize the event was meant to see who in the community could decipher the message—a way to recruit or eliminate potential members or adversaries.
• An Act of Chaos: Skeptics argue it was simply an elaborate prank meant to frighten and confuse, with no deeper meaning at all.

Lessons from the Past

Though nearly 70 years have passed since the incident, its story remains a part of Fulton Hills lore. The books themselves were returned to their proper places, but their message lingers in whispers among the shelves of the Fulton Hills Library.

As we uncover and document these tales, we must ask ourselves: what can we learn from such calculated chaos? Were the Dun Maylock sending a message to their enemies, or were they simply toying with the fears of a vulnerable community?

One thing is certain—no matter the intent, the Library Book Swap reminds us of the chilling precision with which the Dun Maylock operated. Even now, as Fulton County moves forward, the shadows of their actions still ripple through our history.

And if you find yourself in the library late at night, remember: the books may be watching you, too.