In "The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America," Bill Bryson recounts a tragic incident involving Bud Dwyer, a state official accused of corruption. At a press conference, overwhelmed by the situation, Dwyer shocked the world by taking out a gun and committing suicide on camera. This dramatic event left a significant mark on the community and attracted widespread media attention.

Following Dwyer's death, the incident became a source of dark humor among locals, who began to share jokes about the tragedy. Bryson's narrative reflects on how deeply unsettling events can sometimes be transformed into jokes, illustrating the complex relationship between tragedy and humor in American culture.