David 'Pudd'nhead' Wilson

When David Wilson first comes to Dawson's Landing, he makes a comment about a dog that makes everyone believe he is unintelligent. Wilson says he would like to own half the dog so he could kill his half to make it stop barking. The people who hear this comment think it is the stupidest thing they have ever heard. Wilson is given the nickname of Pudd'nhead for this comment and the idea that Wilson is unintelligent sticks. When Wilson hangs out a shingle for his law practice, no one will hire him because no one wants a stupid lawyer.

Over the years, Wilson fills his time with other pursuits, namely accounting, palm reading, and the collection of fingerprints. Everyone in town has come to think of Wilson as a sweet, if strange, unassuming neighbor. Everyone in town has given Wilson their fingerprint, thinking it is a...