Horace Purdy Journal October 1904 Entry
8 pgs
OCTOBER 01 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50. Picked the last of the tomatoes and mowed the front yard. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Betts called in the AM and arranged to rent Mr. Pierans’ corner house, first floor. I drove over to Rose Street to get the key from Mrs. O’Conner, the former tenant. Soon after we engaged the house to Mr. Betts, a Mr. E. G. Horton wanted it and offered to pay the rent in advance. In the PM, Mrs. Hawley and I rode downtown and did our marketing for Sunday. Mr. Betts commenced moving in in the afternoon. George Walter came in accordance with a promise in the evening and paid $10.00 on account of his life insurance. As requested by Frederick W. Seymour, I called at his house at 17 Elm Street to receive money on account of his furniture insurance which he promised for tonight, but he had gone out. George and Sarah called in the evening. OCTOBER 02 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 52. Cloudy and cool, but no rain. Lottie came after Sunday School and took dinner with us returning home on her father’s trolley car at 4:40 PM. I mailed Agent Policy #7272, Elizabeth Burnett to Bristol for her to execute the assignment blank making the property over to Theodore Scofield to whom she sold. I also wrote to John Parker about his new location at Torrington as to the transfer of his insurance. In the evening, we went over to brother George’s and from there to church. OCTOBER 03 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 38. Pleasant. Mowed upper half of front yard after breakfast. S. W. Bradley brought potatoes this morning for Beeman, Biddescombe and me. George went to Stevens Street with Biddescombe potatoes with Bradley. The Larkin Soap with oil heater and costumer I got today, but the heater was not the one we ordered; they sent another kind. We borrowed one of Serena Lyon until we can get an exchange with the Larkin Soap Company. Herman sent a man in the evening to borrow the pistol which he found and left with me. In the evening I went up to the Ferdinand Brush Place to the Schoonmaker’s to acknowledge some deals, but they deferred it to another day. OCTOBER 04 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 32. A light frost this morning. A magnificent day for the commencement of the Fair. George and I finished mowing the dooryard this morning. Also put the new number – 35- on the front of the house. We received from the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company this morning, two pocket books as a present to each of us. After dinner, I made up and mailed the September account to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. Then I took Mary to deliver soap orders to Glover, Biddescombe and George S. Purdy, also to make some business calls on Theodore Scofield, Harry Gray, Frank Power and Anna Hinman. I also called at Henry Gray’s over John Griffith’s store to get his policy to transfer and rewriting at the new location under annual premiums. I bought a loaf of homemade bread of Mrs. Gray. OCTOBER 05 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. Another pleasant day for the Fair. After getting up some office work in the morning, Mr. Beeman rode with me to see Theodore Scofield and read to him a letter to Mrs. Elizabeth Burnett regarding payment to her of the cash value of insurance for expiration of the policy on the property sold by her to Scofield. He wished me to also show the letter to Dwight Rogers, the agent who negotiated the sale. Not being in his office, but expecting to be employed at the fair, we drove over there, but did not succeed in finding him. I got the consent of Mrs. John Gallagher to write the renewal of her furniture policy in the name of her sister, Fannie O’Toole and did so, the mailed the policy to her. By this morning’s mail, I received a new pension certificate for David Hoyt, being an increase on account of age from $6.00 to $8.00 a month. The Union Savings Bank paid the premium for insurance for Valentine Patch on the dwelling at 81 George Street. About 4 PM, I delivered the policy to Harry Gray over John Griffith’s store. On may return, I found William Mead waiting to pay his life insurance premium due on the 10th instant, after which I carried him home to 17 Town Hill Avenue. George and Sarah came over in the evening. After they went home I went over to Louis Tosi’s to deliver a soap order. While we were there, we also called on Mrs. Clark upstairs. OCTOBER 06 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 51. A small splatter of rain during last night. Cloudy and windy and doubtful during the AM. The sun came out bright at noon and continued pleasant during the balance of the day. I walked downtown in the forenoon. I met Maud Luck, who was more than sociable and would like to live in a house as nice as when she lived with us seven years ago. I called on Sam Newman for the balance due us. He gave a promise for next Monday. Also for next Monday, Jacob Hartz for the premium on the Spiro Brothers policy. After dinner, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s with a specimen of urine for Mary; he pronounced it OK. He gave me some tablets for my own use and paid 35 cents for soap in a Larkin order and also ordered 10 lbs. of coffee for George to send for. Later in the PM, I harnessed and Mary went with me to arrange renewals for James Fitzsimmons, Kate Lynch and Emma Shepard. Then we went down to Fannie’s and she made arrangements for Lottie, Georgie to come and stay with us tomorrow that she may attend the Fair. George and Sarah came over to spend the evening. OCTOBER 07 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. This is Danbury Day for the Danbury Fair. Factories and businesses are suspended to enable all to attend the great carnival. After breakfast, I drove over to Clarence Morgan to see where the fire was last evening. It was a small scare in one of the hat factories near Austin Street. I bought two porterhouse steaks of Morgan, the drove over to Rose Street to see Mrs. Bridget O’Conner about the rent for September at her Pierans house where she moved from. She refused to pay anything at all on account of him warning her out. Fannie took little Julia with her to the Fair and had Lottie with baby Georgie stay with us. Just before dinner, I went up to 5 Deer Hill avenue to consult Mrs. Mary Stevens regarding the sale of 11 Pearl Street to Theodore Scofield, as to any return premium to W. Burnett or his wife, Elizabeth Burnett, on the policy made over. On my return, the fire engine, etc. was called under alarm box 31 on West Wooster and Division Streets. Some burning leaves near Mr. Treadwell’s barn was the cause. No damage done. W. Burnett’s letter this morning calling my letter an insult to him and his wife for stating the plain fact regarding the insurance, etc. and the return premium demanded by him. I made a check for John Pieran’s for September rent collections; also made a check and mailed to the Agricultural Insurance Company for the July balance. George M. Bradley brought ¼ cord of wood sawed short on account of insurance. OCTOBER 08 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. The last day of the Danbury Fair. The day has been cold and cloudy but no rain. I am still alone since Wednesday; George is attending the Fair. I gave Stephen Pierans a check for $40.92 for the September rents. Charles Hawley from New Milford called for his furniture policy and paid it. Mary and Mrs. Hawley went shopping this afternoon. Mrs. Lena Knapp of Bridgeport called about 5:30 PM to see about the mortgage. George and Sarah came over in the evening. OCTOBER 09 SUNDAY - Mercury at 67 AM- 54. Lowery, but no rain. After breakfast, I cleaned my furnace preparatory to making fires. Went to the Post Office at noon and for the Sunday Press. Lottie Hirsch came from Sunday School and took dinner with us. In the PM, I mailed our September account to the Sun Insurance Company and enclosed the check for the July balance. I also wrote the Larkin Soap Company exonerating Mary for the funny wording of my letters of the 3rd and 5th instant regarding the oil heart. We attended church in the evening. Mrs. Hawley went with us. OCTOBER 10 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 52. George reported this morning for duty, having been absent since last Wednesday attending the Fair. A reply by this morning’s mail from the Larkin Soap Company to Mary in the matter of the oil heater. The explanation is satisfactory and George this morning set it up and filled it ready for use. I bought a bottle of ink of Harry Bristol. David Hoyt came at noon and made a voucher for the difference in old certificate of $6.00 per month and the new one of $8.00 up to September 4, the new one being issued for an increase for 65 years of age. George Walsh, an old soldier and inmate at the Soldiers’ Home in Noroton called in the afternoon to make an application for an increase for disability. I not having the proper blanks referred him to Captain Quien. Our coffee with that of Dr. Sunderland’s came today. George came in the evening for my check to send to Mrs. Kimball for coffee. I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s and collected for his 10 lbs. before making the check for George. Mr. W. S. Lane today requested to have his life policy made semi-annual instead of annual. I spoke to George Rickerts to keep his chickens home as they annoy me by leveling my manure heap and covering horse bedding spread out to dry. OCTOBER 11 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Warm with sprinkling showers in the morning and during last night. After breakfast, I made up the September balance of the Agricultural Insurance Company and mailed it with a check for the July balance. The express man brought a package of supplies, chiefly policies from the Reliance. Before dinner, I went downtown and collected $10.00 of Jacob Hartz on the Spiro brothers’ policy, also $2.00 of Saul Newman. Going into the Post Office, I saw H. A. Wildman talking with a party. After attending to my mail matter, I looked for him but he had disappeared. I talked with Dwight Rogers about the insurance being turned over from William Burnett to Theodore Scofield on the Pearl Street house. He understood that the same was to be turned as part of the deal. After dinner, Mr. Leonard Carney from Patterson called to see about the property of Frances Perry at Beaverbrook being reoccupied, etc. as he has a mortgage on the same. John Case came in the PM and ordered a policy of $1,000 on his house and furniture in the Connecticut Insurance Company. He leaves the Danbury Mutual Company. I drove up home with him to take a diagram. He paid the premium of $10.00. On my return, I drove up to Anna Tinman and delivered her policy, then up to James Fitzsimmons on Deer Hill with his policy. OCTOBER 12 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. A cold rain which has continued all day. We wrote and delivered to W. W. Sunderland, builder, a two month’s $1,000 additional builder’s risk policy on the Lucy Haines’s house. I mailed an order for supplies to The Connecticut Fire Insurance Company at Harford. In the PM, Mrs. Kate Lynch called and paid a premium for insurance on her Deer Hill Avenue house. I left the policy at the Union Savings Bank a little later in the afternoon. I then called on Orlando Williams at Hadley’s Hat Shop to see if he had decided to accept the policy I wrote for him He has not yet decided. His son, Wallace M. Williams gave me an order for $500 insurance on his furniture before I left the shop. From there, I called on Marion St. John and arranged for the renewal of her Grandview Avenue double house. The on Franklin Street, I also arranged to renew for Widow Iola B. Richardson. I called a few minutes on Benjamin Bailey at the Rose Street city weigher’s office and then came home. In the evening, I made up the Standard Accident September account to Loomis & Nettleton. Mrs. Sarah Whalley came in the morning to have her furniture policy transferred to her house on 16 Division Street. OCTOBER 13 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 40. Cloudy, cold and damp in the morning. I received from Boston U. S. Pension Agent a check for the $2.00 fee for the D. B. Hoyt pension increase for age 65. About 9:30 AM, I went to the courthouse and called on Judge Ralph Wheeler for his certificate showing me to be of good moral character, etc. for me to act as pension attorney for the Pension Bureau in Washington. He left it with me to have Clerk Frank Booth prepare the certificate for his signature tomorrow morning. In the PM, I drove down to Dr. Oley’s with Mary to consult about her eyes, after which we drove up to Padanarum and delivered a policy to John Cove. I then called on Mrs. Annie McDonough’s at Grandview Avenue to collect but got nothing, then called at the Scofield’s shop on River Street to see if my furnace pipe was repaired which I left there this morning as I went to Marion St. John’s to deliver her policy. From there, I went to the Post Office and village store and home. While we were riding, the clouds disappeared and we have a clear sky and cooler. George and Sarah were over in the evening. In the evening, I answered letters of Davis Knapp as to his share of the premium due on the insurance of estate of Silas Abbott. A. H. Barnum delivered a ½ ton of baled hay this AM. OCTOBER 14 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 36. This morning before breakfast, I mailed the Estate of Silas Abbott policy to Davis Knapp, executor. The same should have been enclosed last evening with the letter. Theodore Scofield this morning handed in the W. Burnett policy (i.e., Elizabeth Burnett, his wife) duly assigned to him after refusing to sign and deliver to me. About 9:30 AM, after having D. Wilson typewrite my application for pension attorney to the Pension Department at Washington with the accompanying certificate of Judge Ralph Wheeler, I called on the judge at the courthouse for his signature which he kindly gave to me. I left it with Clark Booth to affix the seal of the Superior Court which I obtained in the PM. Sam Hoyt and Mrs. Clark of Ridgefield called at noon and had dinner with us. In the afternoon, I called at Clark Booth’s for the certificate of Judge Wheeler’s, then walked up to D. Lowe’s shop to see Mrs. Dittus about renewal of her insurance. I found that she had left and was now working for Jake Irving in his silk mill. From there, I called on Majik Garlick on Henry Street to collect for his insurance. They had broken up housekeeping. I am to call tomorrow and if possible take up the policy. I then called on Edward Hendley and came home and returned the oil heater to Serena Lyons by driving up there and to Scofield’s Tin shop on River Street and got my furnace pipe which he has been repairing. In the evening, I wrote and mailed to Edward Dawson, Chief Clerk of the Department of the Interior, my certificate from Ralph Wheeler, Judge of the Superior Court, as to my good moral character, etc. OCTOBER 15 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 38. Clear and Cool. Before breakfast, I attempted to adjust the pipe on the furnace and found that it required further repairs before I could do so. After taking it to the shop again, I drove up to Henry Street to see if Majik Garlick had found his policy which he wants to surrender. He signed a lost policy receipt in the event he could not find it. I had the horse shod at D. Gages’ before dinner. After dinner, I adjusted the furnace pipe to be ready to be heated up. The later in the PM, Mrs. Hawley went with me to do some marketing and I delivered the Burnett-Scofield policy to the mortgagee, Mrs. Mary Stevens. George and Sarah came over in the evening. OCTOBER 16 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 31. A magnificent day. Mary attended church in the morning to hear the presiding elder preach. Lottie came from Sunday School and took dinner with us. We went over to brother George’s about 6 PM and attended church in the evening before which we called at Dr. Oley’s that Mary might consult him about her eyes and make arrangements for going to the hospital in New York, and possibly Dr. Oley to go with her. OCTOBER 17 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Another beautiful day. After breakfast, Mr. Beeman rode with me up to Henry Street to get and cancel the policy of Majik Garlick. After dinner, we drove over to Beaverbrook and by a half dozen eggs and cash, I cleared for six months ended October 1st. up the balance of George Bradley’s premium. Mr. Pierans was over today and we made some arrangements about renting the house visited today by Mr. Scheppaccasse (?). I made a check today for $7.00 for rent of church seat, $117. In the evening, I went up to 2nd Avenue and arranged for the renewal of John Murphy’s insurance. Mrs. Payne called in the evening and paid for insurance to be renewed on their Mill Plain house. George and Sarah came over in the evening. Mary arranged this afternoon for Dr. Oley to go with her to New York at the hospital for treatment of her eyes. I, with Mr. Beeman, also in the PM, drove up to Franklin Street on returning from Beaverbrook to deliver a policy to Mrs. Richardson, but found that George had omitted to attach a permit for a kerosene stove; on that account, I did not leave it. After supper, I took the trolley up to 2nd Avenue and arranged the renewal of the furniture policy of John Murphy. OCTOBER 18 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM- 36. Another pleasant day. Mary, in company with Dr. Oley took the 10:09 AM to New York to go to the 23rd Street Homeopathic Eye Hospital for treatment of her eyes. I carried her to the train and brought home the second Larkin container from the freight yard. The freight on same was 44 cents. George and I got our dinner of baloney sausage sandwiches and coffee. Mary returned by the 5:08 PM train with Dr. Oley from New York. In the evening, I wrote to the Larkin Soap Company enclosing freight bills that they might send a rebate on same as requested by themselves. As I went to the station to meet Mary, I carried nearly a bushel of our potatoes over to George Starr Purdy. OCTOBER 19 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 40. After George arrived from Bethel, Mr. Beeman and I rode to the Danbury Hat Company where I gave to Mr. F. Wilson, the financial secretary of the M. E. Church, a check for $7.00, the seat rent to October 1. I then went to 12 Cook Street to see Mr. Dignan about insuring his furniture. He is to see me again, probably next Saturday. Another delightful day. I delivered a policy on tools to Charles Fowler at the New Machine Company. I wrote another letter in lieu of one written last night, and not sent to the Larkin Soap Company; also to W. B. Schiffer in the matter of the extension of Frank Moody’s life insurance. In the PM, Mary went down to Dt. Oley’s for eye treatment in connection with their visit yesterday to the hospital in New York. George and Sarah came over in the evening. I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s while they were Mary and had a specimen of my water examined which was all right. I delivered his October 18 quarterly policy and returned home. George took the Larkin container home which came to Mary and she sold to them. OCTOBER 20 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Foggy. After breakfast, I wrote for Mary to Clara Watkins. When George arrived from Bethel, we fixed up the lattice work under the front porch of our office. Then we went over to Mrs. Hawley’s and castrated a cat. Before dinner, I walked downtown and called at the Turner Machine Company and arranged for the renewal of machine tools of William Reed. He wanted figures for accident and sickness insurance. On my return, I found F. F. McFarland talking with George about insuring some property on the Elmswood District in Bethel. We made arrangements to do so. After dinner, I drove down through Putnam Park to Redding Ridge to fix up the David Dignan insurance matter. He was not at home, therefore, I did not succeed. I came home by way of Daniel Woods and collected from him $46.55 for insurance on his homestead place written August 27. From there, I came home by way of the Elmswood District to see the place Mr. McFarland spoke of. It is the former Jerome Bates place. I stopped to see George as I came by Mr. Becker. Republican speakers tonight on the issues of the day. OCTOBER 21 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Warm and showers during the night. It commenced raining hard and steady at daylight and continued with high winds until noon when it cleared away and began to grow colder in the PM. After breakfast, I repaired the lining to my cook stove with fire cement. I wrote to Daniel Dignan enclosing a cancellation notice and a lost policy receipt for him to sign if he cannot find the policy. I registered the letter, In the PM, I called at Hadley’s Shop to see Orlando Williams. He has concluded not to insure for one year. I will therefore cancel the policy written. I then called at Mallory’s shop and had a chat with old. Theodore Power about his insurance at Noroton. Called on several others in the factory and came home by way of Main Street. I got a check from Henry Bristol for his store insurance and came home. George and Sarah came over again this evening. OCTOBER 22 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 38. In the morning, I drove over to Mill Plain to arrange for the renewal of Reuben Rockwell’s insurance. He not being at home, his wife promised to call tomorrow and let us know. I made a deposit in the bank before dinner. After dinner, Mrs. James Sullivan called to see about renting one of Mr. Pierans’ houses at 29 William Street. Later in the PM, I informed her that she could have the house. Later in the PM, Mrs. Hawley sent me to do the Sunday marketing. Brother George went on the one dollar excursion to Pittsfield and returned. I borrowed Mr. Beemans’s Accident and Health Insurance policy in the General Accident Insurance Company of Philadelphia and studied same. He called in the evening, when I returned it. George Walter called in the evening to get returned to him the $10.00 which he paid in advance on his life insurance. The Equitable told me that his application has been rejected on account of his family history. I returned his money. OCTOBER 23 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 38. Pleasant in the morning. Lowery in the PM with the appearance of rain in the evening. Received by mail today a returned receipt for registered letter to Daniel Dignan of Redding. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley took dinner with us today. I mailed as not taken to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company the Orlando Williams policy on his furniture. See letter dated October 22. Mrs. Hawley went with us to church on the evening. We called for a few minutes as we went on Brother George. OCTOBER 24 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 30. Pleasant. After breakfast, I rode over to Mill Plain to see Reuben Rockwell about the renewal of his insurance, but found no one at home. This PM, I received a letter from his wife that in view of some contemplated change, possibly to sell his property, he would for the present defer his insurance. By the noon delivery of mail, I received Mr. Dexter’s pension, that is, the certificate and voucher to be presented. We telephoned to her at Ridgefield and in the PM, she rode up and we made up the voucher at her daughter’s home at 10 Pleasant Street. Before going out to Mill Plain this morning, I went down to Plant’s block and told James Sullivan that the house on 29 Williams Street that I told him he could rent was by Mr. Pierans rented to another party who had previously applied. In answer to telephone, Mrs. Dexter came from Ridgefield and I made up her voucher at her daughter’s home at 10 Pleasant Street and mailed it in the evening to Boston. I also returned to W. B. Schiffer the W. D. Lane permit for quarterly premiums to be made semi-annual. George and Sarah came over in the evening and wrote a post for Mary to Clara Watkins to buy two hymn holders. OCTOBER 25 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 35. A beautiful day. George helped me patch the roof of the barn and office. It took us nearly all day. At about 4:30 PM, I drove with Mary up to Padanarum to arrange with Mrs. Heady to clean the sitting rooms tomorrow. George and Sarah came over again in the evening and spent the evening. OCTOBER 26 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. Cloudy most of the day with but little sunshine. After breakfast, Mr. Beeman rode up with me to Mrs. Brown’s on Franklin Street and arranged to renew her policy. From there we went down to Murphy’s Hat Shop to see Willis Hodge, mortgager on Rueben Rockwell’s on Mill Plain. We found that while they wrote me that they would drop the insurance, they lied to me in not doing so and gave it to Louis Reed. I also had a chat with Chester Wilson working in the same shop about his insurance which he and George got mixed on. After dinner, I went over to the Turner Machine Shop for the renewal of W. Conklin, the engineer. Before returning, I called on Pat McGrath and arranged to measure his store next week. George and Sarah came over again in the evening. Mrs. P. Jeffrey called in the evening and paid $37.00 for Elizabeth McDonald life insurance due on the 30th. Mrs. Heady helped Mary clean the house today. Charles Baldwin of Bethel called in the evening to talk life insurance. He is contemplating it as security for a loan to go through college in taking an agricultural course. I carried in my tax list today. OCTOBER 27 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 44. Pleasant. We cemented around the kitchen chimney this morning. Before dinner, I went over to the Turner Machine Company to ascertain whether W. Conklin now used the oil burner which the permit required. He does not. I delivered the policy. After dinner, I called at Mrs. Raymond’s to see Bill Harvey about insurance on the family dwelling on November 1st. I came home by way of Sunderland’s to make an inquiry regarding the Lucy Haines new house, etc. Mary went down to Dr. Oley’s in the PM for treatment. Before dinner, the Postman brought the pension checks for Mrs. Dexter’s $31.00 accrued pension on Mr. Dexter at the time of his death, less $10.00 fee due to J. B. Crabbe, being net to Mrs. Dexter, $31.00 for a total of $72.00. In the same mail was the bill of Mr. Crabbe for $3.00, his fee for the accrued pension. William Booth this PM, left with Mary, in my absence, the $77.00 annual premium due the 30th for his $2,000 life insurance in the Equitable. After supper, I walked up there and gave him my personal receipt for same until I can get returns with the Company’s official receipt. George and Sarah were over in the evening. OCTOBER 28 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 22. Pleasant. The coldest morning we have had thus far for the fall. I started the furnace fire for the first time this morning. In the forenoon, Mr. Beeman rode with me over to great Plain to inform Frank Moody that I had secured an extension for him on his life insurance premium. He was not at home but works at Charles Roman’s box shop where I saw him. After driving to Bethel to see and collect from Andrew and Laura Wildman. They were not at home. On our way home, we stopped and collected a dollar from Lottie Williams at Rocky Glenn. After dinner I made a $100 deposit in the bank and collected $3.00 on account from Frank Wilcox for the Union Trust Company. I received a letter from Charles Baldwin that he could not meet me tomorrow for examination for life insurance but will later inform me. I gathered my beets and carrots from the garden. George and Sarah called again in the evening. Lottie and Julia Hirsch came up this PM to stay overnight. Mandeville the peddler, took dinner with us and gave us a chicken. OCTOBER 29 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 26. Pleasant and cool. We put up the office stove this morning. I delivered Ida Richman’s policy and collected of James Fitzsimmons and driving to Fitzsimmons, took Lottie and Julia Hirsch with me for a ride. After dinner, I took Lottie and Julia over to Cleveland Street to see George Bouton about renewing his vegetable building, but he was not at home. I then left the children at the corner of Wildman and Chestnut Streets to go from there home. About 6 PM, Nellie Johnson called for the pension checks to take home to her mother, Mrs. Dexter, to sign and return next week for me to cash or get at the bank. John Murphy called in the PM and paid for his fire insurance policy on furniture and talked about life insurance. George Nelson also called and left his furniture policy to be transferred to Padanarum Avenue. Estelle White also called to have a piano insured for James Shelby at New Milford. George and Sarah spent the evening with us. George Nelson left his policy to be transferred to 27 Padanarum Avenue. C. L. Morgan brought 1 1/2 tons of coal just at dusk. OCTOBER 30 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 38. Pleasant. I received a life insurance receipt by mail from the Equitable for Elizabeth Donald. I mailed same to her in care of P. F. Jeffrey at 16 Town Hill Avenue. After dinner, I called to see John Bouton who is able to go out but not able to do any work. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley were with us to chicken pot pie dinner. Early in the evening, Mary and I went over to George’s and went from there to church at 7:30. OCTOBER 31 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 24. After George came from Bethel this morning, I drove over to Wildman Street and called at J. Murphy’s shop and settled the Chester Williams case of a furniture policy which George wrote for him when he moved from Bethel to King Street. There being a misunderstanding between them, he is to surrender the policy after paying a pro rata for the time it has been in force. From there, I went to 56 Maple Avenue to see Bart Hitchcock who is about to move there from Ball’s Pond which will require a transfer of his policy. After dinner, I went to get the two pension checks of Mrs. Dexter cashed at the bank. Nellie Johnson, her daughter, took them home with her Saturday night for her endorsement returning the same this morning. I gave Mrs. Johnson the money to take home with her, being a net of $49.00 after paying her attorney Mr. Crabbe and for my services. I made various business calls besides Dr. Meade about insuring his brother’s place at 80 Elm Street. George and Sarah spent the evening
1904-10
Horace Purdy Journal September 1904 Entry
9 pgs
SEPTEMBER 01 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Letter by morning mail from John Watkins relative to accident insurance. He will try to come over on Saturday evening and stay over until Sunday when we can transact the business in contemplation. I wrote a reply and mailed it to Hartford. Received June renewal receipt from Clarence Morgan, the certificate of good health recently sent being satisfactory for renewal. Before dinner, I went up to Turnwell's on Terrace Place to inspect their pigeonary for insuring the same and their pigeons therein. I got an order from Jacob Hartz to write $2,000 on stock for the Spiro brothers. I delivered the same to him in the afternoon. Sidney True stopped and gave me $5.00 on account of what he owes us. He is contemplating a change of mortgage from Mr. Fairchild in Newtown to the Danbury Savings Bank. I, by his request, called at the bank and promised to make the policy payable to them as soon as it came to us for change. This was satisfactory to the bank. I drove up to 10 Henry Street to see about renewal for policy for Majik Garlick. Later in the PM, Mary rode with me down to Fannie’s and carried some tomatoes and beets. While we were at tea, Mrs. McKnight called to see about the rates for accident insurance for her nephew, Arthur Durgie. I also in the PM took Mrs. Melissa Griffith’s affidavit as to property, etc., and her means of support. George S. and his wife came over and spent the evening with us. SEPTEMBER 02 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Lowery in the morning with a doubtful outlook for a pleasant day. Wrote under date of yesterday and mailed a letter to Davis Knapp at King Street with a statement of policy written on the Silas Abbott place on Westville Avenue. Received a letter from Loomis & Nettleton in reply to mine of yesterday as to the insurance for Mrs. McKnight and her nephew A. Durgie in accident, same corroborating my opinion at to ordinary classification. About noon, I got a line from the Danbury National Bank informing me that my $200 note was due yesterday which I had overlooked. I was non-plussed as I had not provided for it. I at once called at the bank. The amount to my credit in the bank was not sufficient to meet it. I borrowed $100 of Mary Dean who withdrew it from the savings bank and got Robert Chambers to endorse a note for $100 and in this way took care of it. After going up to Clapboard Ridge and then nearly up to Vernon Ferry’s Cider Mill at Middle River (where he had gone with a load of cider apples) and met him to get his endorsement, I then drove out to Lucy Haines to see her new house, which today, W. W. Sunderland the builder gave me an order to write a builder’s risk on the same. On my way home, I met Mrs. Haines and had quite a talk with her about insuring the new house. She did not like the company cancelling the $600 remaining on the same when the house burned, though we paid her $100 for the house and furniture and as usual when over half the policy is burned to cancel the remainder. I promised that I would allow her the value of balance cancelled for the unexpired term, the same to be credited on the premium for her new house. This morning I went up to J. R. Fancher’s hat shop on West Street and took an application for Arthur Durgie for $1,000 accident insurance. SEPTEMBER 03 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 68; at noon- 78. Warmer. Before breakfast, I wrote the Reliance Insurance Company that we will in a few days send a check for the May balance. My horse Gypsy is sick; I think she overdid yesterday’s PM driving in the sultry weather up to Robert Chambers’ and up to Lucy Haines’ to see her new house for builder’s risk insurance. We wrote a policy on the carriage of George Northrop, also builder’s risk for W. Sunderland on Lucy Haines’ new house and delivered and collected premiums on both. Company C left this morning for Manassas where the state troops will encamp for the fall manoeuvres with others from other states with the regulars to rehearse the old battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861 on the same battlefield. Arthur Durgie, who is a member of Company C, called this morning and paid $3.00 on account for premium of $7.50 for an accident policy applied for yesterday. His aunt, Mrs. Virginia McKnight called this noon and paid the $1.00 extra to have the doubling clause attached. After dinner, I wrote Loomis & Nettleton to attach the clause. Jacob Becker called in the PM and paid $12.00 premium on furniture insurance. George and Sarah Purdy with Mrs. Brooks and little son, Alton came over and spent the evening. John Watkins came over in the evening to talk over insurance, both life and accident. SEPTEMBER 04 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 70. Pleasant and warm. We had a late breakfast after which I harnessed and drove with John Watkins down to Dr. Frank Clark and had him examined for $1,500 life insurance on the 20 payment life plan. We then went up to Culp’s News Store for the Sunday Press and to the Post Office, then home. I wrote out the application for John which (he being a minor) will take home with him tomorrow morning for his Father’s signature for consent. After dinner, I took him over to the lake for a trolley ride. On our return, Mr. Brownlaw came in for an $8.00 check to send to his son Harry. Then came our neighbor James Andrew to hire my two seat carriage for tomorrow to go with his horse which he will hire out for the day to Hollis Holmes. SEPTEMBER 05 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Labor Day. Pension Day. I put on underclothes yesterday and heavier clothes today. John Watkins took the 6 o’clock train to Hartford this morning with his application for life insurance for his father to sign as he is a minor (19 years old). I have had a very busy day with pensioners making their vouchers. It being Labor Day besides has made it a hard day’s work for me. About 10:30, the parade started out which attracted a large crowd. George, Lill and Charlie are all with us to dinner. In the PM, Mr. Beeman rode around with me to make vouchers for orphans and widows – Mc Millan, Bell, Merritt, the widows Courtney and Foley. SEPTEMBER 06 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48. Cooler. Wrote in morning, delivered and collected for Mortimer Rogers, arranged for renewal tomorrow of Martin Repko, also Hartley Sherman for next Saturday, the 10th instant; also called at the Eagle Hat Company for a brown derby hat George had ordered for John Watkins which I sent to him at Hartford by brakeman VanGordon on the 11:37 Highland Division train. I took young Alton Brooks riding with me all the forenoon. James Martin called while I was out and had George make out his pension voucher. I came home before he went away. He borrowed $.25 of me with which the voucher fee makes $.50 due. Mrs. Sarah Keeler was with us to dinner. After dinner, I drove around to her house at Stevens Street and paid her the interest ($2.50) for six months from last November to May and endorsed the same on the note. Peter Hardwick called after dinner and had his pension voucher made out. In the evening, I wrote and sent John Davis’ policy in the Sun sent to him at 881 Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport after endorsing a reduction of same and enclosed a check for $3.20 return of premium for said reduction. Mr. Pierans was over today and directed me to tell Mrs. O’Connor to move. SEPTEMBER 07 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 42. After breakfast, I mended the spindle buggy by screwing the side of the body which had come loose to the frame. About 10 AM, I notified Mrs. Patrick O’Connor of 13 Williams Street that she must move, as directed by John Pierans. I sent a postal card to John Watkins that I yesterday sent his coffee brown hat by James VanGordon, baggage master, by the 11:37 Highland Division train. Also, on receipt this morning of a check from Royal Tomlinson, mailed the receipted bill to him at his residence at 1025 Lexington Avenue in New York. In the PM, I received John Watkins' application for life insurance from him with his father’s signature assenting to the transaction and a check for the first ¼ year’s premium, and an accompanying letter acknowledging his receipt of his new coffee brown hat which I sent to him yesterday. In the PM, I stopped at Dr. English’s office to see about a policy of insurance on his carriage which I wrote for Jacob Hartz. In the evening, I sent Watkins’ application to the Equitable and a letter to him acknowledging the receipt of application and the check for ¼ year’s premium. SEPTEMBER 08 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Pleasant and warmer. In the forenoon, I made up and gave a joint affidavit with Clark Hickock in the matter of application for pension for Melissa Griffith, widow of Edwin Griffith, as to her being without any income or means of support, in consequence of which she is a dependent widow. Also our testimony as to her never being divorced and that they lived together as husband and wife until the tine of his death to which we made an oath and subscribed in the presence of George L. Purdy , Notary Public. After dinner, Mary rode with me to mail the papers to the Commissioner of Pensions in Washington. I received my pension check in the afternoon. I called at McLean’s store and made arrangement s to renew $2,500 on store stock on September 12. I delivered the policy and collected the premium of Cornelia Depew. We went up to Prospect Street to see John Ellegett to see about furniture insurance but they concluded to wait 2 or 3 weeks when they hoped to have more work to pay for it. I then drove to Foster Street and took a new case on furniture , $1,000 for three years, from Mrs. Jennie Bratton, widow of George Bratton, an old customer formerly of Danbury, who died recently in Brooklyn. We called on Emmaline Glover on Center Street and Mrs. Biddescombe on Stevens Street about making up a soap order from the Larkin Soap Company, when about 5 PM a heavy shower coming up completed us to return home. We reached home all dry but quite a little rain fell soon after with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. Mrs. Sarah Keeler came over and took dinner with us. Her brother called in the PM to say that he would come for her at her home in Stevens Street and take her with them for a week or more to Brewster. SEPTEMBER 09 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Cloudy this morning though with but little rain last night. After breakfast, I drove up to Brookfield to see about the loss of Daniel Connell’s house which burned about 12:30 AM on September 4th. The Connecticut, through Treadwell & Co. had $400 on the house. I found H. Wildman and special agent William Hoyt of the L. L. Globe there with Ford Olmstead as appraiser. They were surprised to learn that I had $400 on same and I was equally surprised to learn that they were on for $800. I then went up to see J. Wesley Wells to collect from him but only got some good promises. Wildman and Special Agent Hoyt promised to call on me in the afternoon, but did not. I wanted a little more light in the case but reported the loss in the PM with the facts as known to me. I also explained about the Spiro brothers. Then I wrote the Reliance Insurance Company to change the daily report #129940 to change Hartley Sherman from a three year to a five year term. Mrs. Norman Kellogg called at noon for a short time. The day has been cloudy and cold with no sunshine at all. About 5 PM, Phil Owens the postman brought in the pension checks for Joel Bates and Charles and Frank Bevins. With the loss notice to the Connecticut this evening, I also wrote the Agricultural not to draw on us on the 12th instant as they advised us but to wait about a week when we will remit. SEPTEMBER 10 - SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 54. Cloudy and cool this morning. After breakfast I delivered a policy on furniture to Hartley Sherman on Garfield Avenue, then went down to the Union Savings Bank and drove to the old Beckerle shop to see Daniel Connell and said that we were not on his house that was burned last Sunday as we had supposed but on another small house on the old Sherman Turnpike; therefore, we are not in it. Before dinner, I made a deposit including the pension check of Joel Bates. He called at our office and I cashed it for him. At noon, Robert Jones from Brookfield called and paid me $11 on account of his insurance. Before dinner, I telegraphed to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company that we were not on the Connell loss, and after dinner, I wrote them explaining the matter. After which, Fanny being up here, I drove downtown with her to do some marketing and also for myself. Then I came home and took Mrs. Hawley downtown to do some marketing, then came home and took Mary over to Mrs. Harry Biddescombe to arrange some order matters about a soap order to Larkin’s Soap Company. George, Sarah, Mrs. Brooks and her son, Alton spent the evening with us. Mr. Biddescombe requested me to buy six bushels of potatoes for him for winter use. SEPTEMBER 11 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. Foggy in the morning. George S. came over in the AM with a mess of green corn for dinner. He helped me get my two seated wagon over from Mr. Pieran’s barn preparatory to taking Mrs. Brooks, Alton and Sarah out riding after dinner. I washed and greased the axles. After dinner, I took them as planned to the Starr Sanford Mountain House down Deer Hill, west to Main, White Street, Locust Avenue, Cleveland Street, the Hospital, and the Alms House where we had quite a visit with George Foote, the superintendent, and his wife, Ellen. Then through the cemetery to Balmforth Avenue, Patch Street, Main Street and home. After putting up the horse, we over to brother George’s and spent the evening as Mrs. Brooks and Alton start tomorrow morning for Philadelphia. SEPTEMBER 12 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. After breakfast, George helped me draw my two seated wagon over to Mr. Pieran’s barn after using the same yesterday. I then drove up to Quien Street to see Sam Hathaway about renewal of his house insurance; also O. J. Williams and Walter Clifford. Then down to Mountainville to see Mrs. Chester Brush about the cancellation of her furniture policy; did not find her at Frank Harris’ but did so at 21 Montgomery Street where I paid her the return premium. James Martin, under the influence of drink, came to see if his pension check had arrived; as it had not, I lent him a dollar on account of the same which with other loans and voucher fees makes $2.00 due me. The fire bell struck 28 for a fire occasioned by a locomotive spark on the roof of a dwelling at 42 Maple Avenue about 2:10 PM; the damage was slight. I ascertained the facts at the Ives Street fire department house. I had a talk with John Stevens this PM about paying his August premium or dropping the policy of accident insurance. I called at the Targett & Siemon Laundry and referred again to the joint company partnership policy; Targett is thinking of the matter, but has not yet seriously conferred with Mr. Siemon. I received a letter from John Watkins; he thinks he will come over on September 23 and stay over on Sunday. SEPTEMBER 23 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 56. Cooler this morning following the shower last evening. I received a letter by the morning mail from the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company approving Spiro stock and thanking us for the prompt contradiction of the reported loss on Connell at Brookfield. George went with me up to Andrew Bell’s in the morning and made up his application for an increase in his pension under order 78 of the Commissioner of Pensions of March 15, 1094 on account of old age. I mailed the application in the evening. At noon, George served 10 days to-quit notice on Mrs. Patrick O’Conner. After dinner, I went up to Germantown to see Otto Mahler about a policy in Williamsburg City on his house which will expire Sept. 20.20. I was too late; Carol Ryder who had it for the Williamsburg City had renewed it. I then went over to Beaverbrook to renew the tobacco barn for Henry Starr. From there, I went up to the Pembroke District and arranged for the renewal of a $500 furniture policy for Isaac Havilland. I arranged for the same and raised the amount to $1,000. When I arrived home about 4:30 PM, James Martin was waiting for me to cash his pension check which I did. SEPTEMBER 14 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. Foggy with heavy dew in the morning. About 8 AM, it began to rain lightly. John Bouton, while working at the Fairgrounds yesterday, fell and was quite seriously hurt, the outcome of which is doubtful. Mrs. John Allen sent for me, she having papers from the Pension Department at Washington wanting more evidence about property holdings, financial position and means of support. After dinner, I made the August report to the Agricultural Insurance Company, made deposits in bank, delivered to Adolph Turnerville an agricultural insurance policy on his flock of pigeons and pigeonary. Before going to see Mrs. John Allen this morning, I went up to Quien Street and collected of Saul Hathaway a $9.00 premium on his house. In the evening, I made out the Standard accident report, also helped Mary Dean make up our order of soap and Parlor Oil Heater as premium of the Larkin Soap Company. A thunder shower during the evening. SEPTEMBER 15 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 48. It rained all last night and was still raining this morning. Mrs. Schappacane (?) came in the morning and paid the August rent. I at once made up the rent account to John Pierans, endorsing the check to make up the August rents and mailed the same to Mr. Pierans at Purdy’s Station , NY. Edgar Platt, tenant on the Silas Abbott place, paid me about 11:30 AM at the New Street school house, $6.00 for extra insurance on his store. In the PM, I went to Dr. Sunderland’s with a specimen of Mary Dean’s urine for examination; he pronounced it without fault. I delivered a furniture policy to Orlando Williams at Hadley Green’s factory and got a promise of insurance on furniture and possibly life insurance for his son. George came over in the evening for a check to send to Mrs. Kimball for $15.00. Mrs. O’Conner called in the evening to say that she had secured rooms in Rose Street. SEPTEMBER 16 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 40. Foggy in the morning, but soon came off clear and pleasant. I brought over from Mr. Roger’s garden the last of his corn stalks before breakfast, after which I pulled a few beets from the garden for pickling. I also took up a part of a Peona plant for Mrs. Couch (a white one) for transplanting. I sent the August account to the Sun and a letter about the July account. Also the Sun account with a letter regarding the allowance to Lucy Haines about the unburned part of the old policy to apply on the new policy. In the evening, I drove over to C. L. Morgan’s to see if he could let me have the money on his insurance which has been accumulating since last April. I found him cutting and hanging tobacco over to Beaverbrook. He promised to do something for me the first of next week. Just before supper, I went up to see how John Bouton was. I found him as reported this morning a little better than yesterday and holding his own, though not out of danger. From there I went up to No 5 Pleasant Street and arranged for the renewal of W. Tueple (?) on next Tuesday for which he had paid me. In the evening I made up and mailed the August report to the Reliance Insurance Company and also wrote to John Watkins and Manager VanFleet inquiring why the Watkins policy didn’t come along. SEPTEMBER 17 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50. Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. After breakfast, I drove up to Pembroke and delivered a furniture policy to Isaac Havilland and collected the premium of $15.00. I called at the old W. Hamilton place to see Arthur Day whose wife, Minnie Day, owns the property to see about the renewal of the insurance on September 25. I saw Mrs. Day who will tell her husband to call on me when he is in town. O. H. Barnum brought me two bales of hay after dinner. Mrs. Josephine Stuart of Bethel called about 3 PM and paid the $5.00 balance on a note given June 11 for borrowed $10.00. I had my hair cut in the PM at Silvestri’s on White Street and did the marketing for Sunday. Mr. H. Stevens, brother of John Stevens, opened a market in Bell’s block at 270 Main Street today. My right testicle is giving me trouble again today. George and Sarah came over in the evening. SEPTEMBER 18 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 55. Pleasant. My trouble for which I took treatment on retiring last night had the desired effect and I am very much better this morning. While doing my morning barn work, Peter Hardwick called to see what I knew about Fred Comes’ place which he wants to sell as to the prospect of exchanging, etc. After returning from the Post Office at noon, I went over to see how John Bouton was. They try to think him better, but he is a dangerously sick man. I found George Hall there; he drove over from Brewster. After dinner, Mary went over to Will Dean’s on Balmforth Avenue. I went over to George’s for a short call, and then came home and did my barn work, after which I walked up to John Bouton’s to inquire after him. He seems to hold his own and may possibly recover, though he continues delirious. Mary returned home in time for evening church, but was too tired to go. SEPTEMBER 19 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Fairly pleasant, though indications of a coming storm. John Bouton is in some respects better in a small degree. In the forenoon, I drove over to Beaverbrook and arranged for the renewal of S. W. Bradley’s tobacco barn. I also collected 2 dozen eggs and $2.00 in cash on George Bradley’s account. After dinner, I called to see how John Bouton was getting on and found him slightly improved with more hopes for his recovery. From there, I called to see Arthur Durgie to see about the accident policy he took before going to Bull Run for the National Guard to maneuver as a repetition of the 1861 battle. From there, I called on Mrs. John Allen as to the calling on Carrol Ryder and Susan Hubble for affidavits as to her financial condition, etc. I took the car for home on White Street and rode to the end of Pleasant Street to see about the renewal of Charles Seymour’s furniture policy but did not find them home at 4 Pleasant Street, but a Mr. V. Floyd Akin living in the same house promised to see me soon for a policy. I walked home from there, calling at John Bouton’s as I came. An express package of supplies came this PM from the Agricultural Insurance Company. SEPTEMBER 20 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. The morning looked doubtful, but about 8 o’clock it cleared up with the appearance of a pleasant day. About noon, it became overcast and continued to gather more and more until about 3:30 when it commenced to rain. Before dinner, I went down and mailed my Oath of Allegiance made before George L. Purdy, Notary Public, the same being required by the U. S. Interior Department regulations to make me a pension attorney. Before returning, I got a check from Julius Stone for $36.50 in payment for a policy on his stock recently. In the PM, I rested until nearly 3 PM when I went to the bank for a deposit. The rain caught me on my return home, after which I busied myself preparing affidavits in the Sophia Allen pension case. Mrs. Nellie Schoonmaker called later in the PM and paid $1.80 balance on insurance. SEPTEMBER 21 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 46. Clear and cool. The line storm evidently clearing off cold. George called this morning on Thomas Gallagher on Houseman Street and arranged for $300 additional insurance on their furniture. After the morning work was over, George rode with me over to Starr Avenue to Eugene Wright’s to get Mrs. Ellen Thacker’s affidavit in the Sophia Allen pension case. She was not at home, but we found her at Mrs. Allen’s on Elm Street. After securing her affidavit, we went to 22 Lake Avenue for that of Andrew Bell, also making a joint affidavit on Mrs. Allen’ behalf. There being indications of frost tonight, we picked all the ripe Lima beans and covered the tomato vines. SEPTEMBER 22 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 32. This is the coldest morning we have had this season. We were touched with a light frost this morning. Policy for John Watkins from the Equitable Life Assurance Society, Policy No. 1.371.715 for $1,500 on a 20 payment life. By noon, I sent the postal notice to Mr. Watkins that the same has been received. Today in the Sophia Allen pension case, I sent to the Commissioner of Pensions the completed affidavits of Ellen Thacker and Andrew Bell, also the certificate of Carrol D. Ryder, Treasurer of the Union Savings Bank as to the mortgage interest on the Allen property, etc. After dinner, Mr. Beeman and I went over to Mr. Morgan’s to see about coal for himself and I to see about getting $50 on fire insurance which he promise next week, also that he would attend to his life insurance premium due the 29th instant. From there, we went over to Henry Starr’s and he paid $7.50 for insurance on his tobacco barn. We then went up to Robert Jones at the Iron Works and he promised to see me for some money on Saturday. On our return, I stopped to see D. Joyce about taking my mortgage. He was not sure about money coming in this fall sufficient to enable him to do it. Should it come in, he will see me. On our return, we went over to S. W. Bradley’s and delivered and collected of him $.25 for a policy on his tobacco barn. He gave us a sample of potatoes to try in anticipation of selling to us. Supplies received today from the Sun Insurance Company. SEPTEMBER 23 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 29; at noon – 60. After breakfast, Mr. Beeman went with me over to Hull’s Hill to collect $24.00 from Thomas and Mary Dunn for insurance in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. From there, we drove up to Westville to see if James Stevens had potatoes which he would let me have on account of his insurance; he had only enough for his own use. Moses Baxter, our neighbor, about 40 years of age, now of Binghamton, NY, being in town on a visit gave us a call this morning. Before starting to drive this morning, I sent a check to W. B. Schiffer for $5.93 for net premium for first ¼ premium on John Watkins policy. About 4 PM, I harnessed and Mary went with me over to Robinson’s Fur Factory to see Martin Repko about payment for his insurance. He had changed and now works for Hoyt Walthausen’s company; I found him at home there. I then left the harness neck strap at Blackman’s Harness Shop to be mended. Then, with Mary, did some marketing, called at the freight depot to see if Larkin’s soap box had come, and returned home. After tea, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s for Mr. Hawley, who is sick in bed with malaria. He gave me medicine to carry to him. Received this morning from Mrs. George Connell, an express package from Grandma Griswold’s effects - a quilt of her own making to be given to our Fannie, which when being made, was christened by Aunt Fanny, “A Grandma’s Whim”, also a silk handkerchief for myself and an ornamental plaque for Mary. Also received a letter explaining this. SEPTEMBER 24 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 60. Slight rain about 6 AM. After breakfast, I drove over to the New Machine Company to see Charles Fowler about insuring his tools and chest, cancelling same off his house policy at Mill Plain and writing a new policy on tools, after which arrangement, I met John Watkins on the 9:30 train; he came to visit over Sunday and receive his life insurance policy. After dinner, John and I rode over to the fairgrounds to see James Sherman about renewing his furniture policy expiring tomorrow. He having a business deal with another agent, gave him his insurance for another year. After our return, I did some office work and while John Watkins went downtown for a walk, Mrs. Hawley went with me for some business calls and some marketing. About noon, J. Wesley Wells called and paid the balance due on his insurance. Martin Repko, who was to call about 4 or 5 PM, met me downtown and proposed to call on me tomorrow after dinner. I called and saw John Bouton for the first time since he was hurt. I went downtown to buy alcohol and witch hazel for them. Mrs. Jennie Townsend called in the evening and paid $1.80 on her insurance. After supper, John went over to see Will Dean. George and Sarah came over and spent the evening with us. Arthur Durgie came over and paid the balance due on his accident insurance. SEPTEMBER 25 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58; at noon – 78. Slight showers last night; very much warmer today. Martin Repko and son called and paid 17.00 on account of is insurance. After dinner, Watkins and I went to Bethel and gave George and Lil a visit returning about dusk. I left him on Main Street to make a call on Mr. VanGordon. In the PM, I answered Julia Connell’s letter received after sending an express package to us with mementos from grandma’s things, among which was bed quilt of her own handiwork for Fannie. SEPEMBER 26 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. We were up early to get breakfast for John Watkins that he could take the 6 AM Highland Division train to Hartford. A bright morn and starlight all night. After daybreak, it became foggy and lowery with but little sunshine. A light splatter of rain about 3 PM which was soon over and the sun shone after. After George came, I walked downtown to see L. K. Mansfield about George Franklin, an applicant for rent in one of Mr. Pierans' houses. From there, I went up to Thomas Duffy’s house at 16 Morris Street to get his address at Norwalk which is 16 Monroe Street, South Norwalk. From there, I went to Mrs. David’s regarding mortgage on the same. From there, I called on John Bouton. His wife sent by me to get a Post Office order and a pint of witch hazel. On our return home, Mr. Beeman and I drove over to Beaverbrook and ordered our potatoes of S. W. Bradley. On our return, we stopped at the freight depot to inquire about boxes of Larkin soap which we expected. One came for Beeman, but none for me. Stephen Pierans called at noon and wanted the key to 13 William Street where Mrs. Patrick Conner had moved out, but as all her things are not yet out, she still holds the key. I deposited in the bank in the PM. SEPTEMBER 27 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 50. Cloudy and sunshine intermingled. At 11:30 AM, I called on Orlando Williams at Hadley Green’s shop on River Street to explain stock and mutual fire insurance as he had lower rates in a mutual company offered him. After dinner, I spent the PM in the office and wrote letters and sent checks to the Agricultural and Connecticut Fire Insurance Companies. I also sent a check to Lena Knapp for interest due October 1 ad to the Equitable the life premiums for George and myself due on the 29th and ineptest due on October 3 on the note borrowed on the George policy. In the evening, I wrote the Arthur Durgie policy back to Loomis & Nettleton for correction of beneficiary. I also wrote to Judge A. B. Beers in Bridgeport for blanks to make application for James Martin and Joel Bates to enter the Soldiers’ Home at Noroton. SEPTEMBER 28 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 58. After breakfast and George’s arrival from Bethel, I took Moses Baxter (who over 30 years ago, used to be our neighbor across the way and was now making a visit to Danbury from Binghamton, NY) with me on a drive for business calls around town. In the PM, I drove to Bethel, calling as I went on Mrs. Lottie Williams at Rocky Glen for a $2.00 balance on insurance, but I did not get it. I also called at Mrs. S. S. Street’s to see about E. Frost taking out a life policy. On my return, I stopped at the iron clad house near Short’s Hat Factory and collected $5.00 on account of Andrew and Laura Wildman’s insurance. In the evening, brother George came over and brought my old black hat which he has turned and refinished and trimmed making a new hat of the same. In the evening, George Walter, a hostler for Benjamin C. Lynes met Dr. Clark at our office and was examined for life insurance. SEPTEMBER 29 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 50. After breakfast, George went with me over to B. C. Lynes to get a specimen of urine from his hired man, George Walters, to give to Dr. Clark for examination, after which I went to City Hall and delivered to the selectmen a $5,000 policy on the Alms House in the Sun Insurance Company, then drove over to the freight office and found that our Larkin Soap, along with the oil heater and costumer as a prize, had come but as yet had not been unloaded. On my return George went with me down to 7 Grand Street to see about the renewal of furniture insurance for Mrs. John Gallagher and not finding her at home, went around to Dr. Clark’s with the urine specimen, which was found to be all right. We returned just in time for dinner. Twice this afternoon, I drove over to the freight depot for our soap but the quantity of freight was so great on account of the Fair next week, that they had not gotten to the car in which it was and would not get to it until Friday. Fanny was with us to tea. SEPTEMBER 30 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. Showers during last night but not thundershowers. After breakfast, George helped me level up the flagstones from the front steps of the house to the sidewalk. We then drove over to John W. Green’s (formerly Beckel’s old stiff shop) to see Mrs. John Gallagher about the renewal of her furniture insurance, the to the freight depot, but the car containing the Larkin soap and accompanying prizes had not been unloaded. We then went up to Morelock & Husk’s Machine Shop to see George A. Blackburn about his house insurance; he being up to the Merritt shop on a job, we drove up there and found him.
1904-09
Horace Purdy Journal June 1904 Entry
6 pgs
JUNE 01 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 60. Mr. Beeman, about 9 AM, rode with me over to Frank Oetzel’s where I collected the balance due for his store insurance. Then I went over to Clarence Morgan’s to see about a ton of coal I ordered last week. He promised to bring it today. Then we went up to Pandaranum Avenue and arranged for the renewal of the furniture policy as they had just moved from Keeler Street. From there, we went to Abbott Avenue to see about Mary Hurlburt’s renewal. In the evening, I made a deposit, including a $200 note for discount. I met special agent Miller of the Equitable Life Insurance for a few minutes. After tea, I rode up to see Mrs. Hurlburt. It being about 7:30, I found her home, she having just arrived home from the factory. I arranged for the renewal of her insurance. JUNE 02 THURSDAY - Mercury 52. Cold and cloudy all day. I made up the Accident Standard accounts for May. Clarence Morgan brought me a ton of coal this morning. Before dinner, I called at Mr. Shepard’s to collect for insurance but got nothing. After dinner, I drove over to Hull’s Hill to collect from Mr. Dunn but got nothing. On my return I got $5.00 from Leroy Andrews. Mrs. Priscilla Benedict sent in $2.00. Mrs. Saul Stuart called from Bethel about insuring a piano then tried to borrow $15.00. I GUESS I DIDN’T DO IT. I wrote to Jacob Baker at New Fairfield about using his cased tobacco. JUNE 03 FRIDAY - Mercury 60. Cloudy until after dinner when it cleared off and the sun shone. About 8:30, I started for Stony Hill to see Hannah Clark about renewing insurance on dwelling at Germantown, i.e., North Osborne Street, it being the property designated for her son Frank Clark, but the title yet being in her name. On the way over, I saw Lena Knapp about the mortgage she holds on our place. On my return, I came by way of George Bradley’s and his wife paid me $2.00 on account of his insurance and half dozen eggs on the same account. While in the street on my way home, Saul Rundle informed me that they had just paid H. Wildman $100, the premium on a Sun policy I wrote for him on the Rundle & White factory and advised me to go to him and get my pay. After dinner, I called at the factory and Mr. Rundle said the check was given as he said before dinner. I then walked over to C. L. Morgan’s store and spoke for renewal of his store insurance. Received from Patrick Gorman at Branchville a postal order for $11.00 to balance his insurance. Also a request from J. M. Layton for another form of the Hoyt & Walthausen policy to be sent to him. Frank Fowler gave me $5.00 this PM on account of his insurance. George and Sarah came over in the evening. I paid George 48 cents for two pounds of coffee, we being out and he having a surplus until we can order more. Before retiring, I sent a receipt to Mr. Gorman and a bill to H. A. Wildman. JUNE 04 SATURDAY - Mercury 63. Pension Day. Pleasant and warmer as the sun has shone all day. Pension work has kept me busy. George and Mr. Beekman drove up to Saul Gregory’s after dinner to execute his voucher. Just at eight, Mrs. Hawley and I drove and did the marketing for Sunday. George and Sarah came over in the evening. I was about exhausted with the rush of pension voucher work today. JUNE 05 SUNDAY - Mercury 65 at 7 AM; 82 at noon. Warm. At 11 AM, I took the trolley to Bethel to have George as notaries make my pension voucher which was overlooked yesterday. He handed me O. B. Smith’s policy on which to attach a permit to keep an automobile in his barn. Sent postal to Charles Watkins that Barber’s scarlet ink powder was received OK. Mailed my pension voucher to Boston. We called at George’s about 7 PM and from there, went to church to hear Dr. Wilson preach about thumbs and great toes from Judges 1:6-7, but before he finished his sermon great thunder was heard and from fear of the congregation getting wet on the way home, he shortened the sermon and dismissed the congregation. The shower shifted its course however and no rain came. JUNE 06 MONDAY - Mercury 75 at 7 AM; 80 at noon. Clear and very warm. After breakfast, I planted over my lima beans where they rotted in the ground, after which George and I mowed the back yard. About 10 AM, Mr. Beeman and I rode uptown. On the way, I called at Rundle & White’s factory and ascertained that they gave Herbert Wildman a $100 check for the Sun Policy I furnished him. I then delivered a policy to Mrs. Mary Quinn on Padaranum Avenue. I also arranged with Frank Clark, the colorman at Mallory’s Factory for the renewal of the policy on his house at Germantown, so-called, and increased it $500 on his furniture. I then got diagrams for 77 Rowan Street for transfer to W. H. Light and delivered policy to Frank Holmes on Balmforth Avenue. In the PM, I took the trolley to Bethel to return to Mrs. Emily benedict the $10 she advanced on her place until Cornelius Sturgis should purchase the property. I did so and took her receipt therefore. After supper, George and Sarah came over and with his help, I removed the iron rod form the trunk of the wisteria vine which had nearly killed it by embedding itself into the wood of the tree as it grew. It was alright when the vine was young and needed supporting, but now it was, so to speak, strangling the vine. JUNE 07 TUESDAY - Mercury 60. A thunder shower during last night. Lowery during the forenoon. I cleaned up the Blue Flame Kerosene Stove after breakfast. I went downtown after dinner and saw Mrs. Ward regarding assistance for Mrs. Hawley. She requested Mrs. Hawley to come and see her. After dinner, I went into the street again to see if Lottie Stock wanted her insurance rewritten at 96 White Street to where she has moved. She consulted Frank Wilcox who advised her not to do so at the high rate of premium but to insure the piano only. I called on Samuel Newman, but succeeded in getting nothing. We were threatened with a heavy shower about 6 PM which passed off with but little rain here, before which our pastor Dr. Wilson called. After tea and it was clear that we were not to have a shower, Mary went over to George’s at 19 Montgomery Street to see Sarah who goes to New York by an early train tomorrow morning. JUNE 08 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 70. Slight showers last night. Just before dinner, I went downtown and mailed two letters and called at 96 White Street and arranged with Lottie Stock for change to her insurance from $1,000 to $500. JUNE 09 THURSDAY - Rainy all day. IN the forenoon I went down to lawyer William H. Cable’s office and had two affidavits typewritten for the town and city assessors, respectively to make as to no taxable property owned by Leonard Dexter or his widow, Frances Dexter, the same called for by the pension department at Washington in application for widow’s pension. In the PM, the city assessors, E. S. Fairchild and Mr. F. Vores, signed for the city. Jack Bates called me this morning and urged me to advance $2.00 more on his pension, which I did. He came again in the afternoon for more, but I hid away from him. JUNE 10 FRIDAY - Mercury 45. Cold this morning. I mowed my dooryard this morning with a scythe it being too long for a lawn mower, which I will use to smooth up tomorrow morning. I used the scythe to get warm before going into the office. After George came from Bethel about 8 o’clock, I drove over to Mr. Dunn’s beyond Hull’s Hill and collected $8.00 on account of their insurance. After my return, I took Mr. Beekman and went over to Clarence Morgan to see about his store insurance and his barn at Beaverbrook, then went over there and collected one dollar and a dozen eggs on account of George Bradley. After dinner, I rested and slept until about 3 o’clock, then I mended a bridle, harnessed Gyp and with James Morton, who called to see if his pension check had arrived, I went uptown, leaving him at Franklin Street, then to see John Haslett at Vinson’s Hat Factory (he being the foreman over their sizing room) about signing an affidavit as one of the town assessors as to their being no property on the town books accredited to Mrs. Frances Dexter. I had quite a life insurance talk with him. I then drove down to South Street to arrange for renewal of fire insurance on the tenant dwelling of Thomas Brigham. After tea, I drove up to Highland Avenue to see Mrs. Mary Williams about her taking our mortgage, but she being away, ascertained nothing. On my return, I drove down Franklin Street and saw the town clerk, E. M. Bulkley as to renewing policy on dwelling at 190 Triangle Street for the estate of Sarah Taylor. JUNE 11 SATURDAY - Mercury 60. Pleasant and warmer. I hoed out a part of my garden before breakfast. We wrote and I delivered an agricultural policy to Thomas Brigham after breakfast. James Martin called in the forenoon to get his pension check which comes from Washington, but it did not arrive as expected. I advanced him $2.00 on it so he could clean up and attend a meeting at Starr’s plain tomorrow. He is trying to reform and lead a new life, and I felt like helping him to attend the meeting tomorrow. In the PM, Mrs. Samuel Street from Bethel called and insisted that I should loan her $15.00 for two months. I was unable to get rid of her without letting her have $10.00. I called on Dr. Sunderland to have my water examined; he found it alright, but gave me some medicines to correct involuntary emissions from seminal and sexual organs. JUNE 12 SUNDAY - Mercury this morning 60. Pleasant but only moderately warm. I am feeling very weak and can scarcely drag around. I went to the Post Office at noon and after dinner went again to see Dr. Sunderland and arranged for insurance on his horses, etc. and a renewal on furniture to get a mixed policy and thereby a better rate for him. JUNE 13 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool. I have felt very weak and badly today. We wrote extra insurance ($400) for one month for Harry Bristol and gave a permit for keeping fireworks. I tried to see George Brush about delivery of his father’s insurance on River Street but failed to find him. I called again to see Mrs. Mary Williams about taking our mortgage, but she had decided to take no more mortgages. Nathan Hay called at non with Alexander Lee as affidavit as to the knowledge of his brother’s claim for the state amount for the reimbursement of funeral expenses. I took his affidavit. JUNE 14 TUESDAY - Mercury 56. Received by the morning mail a P.O. order from Carrie Nichols for $5.50 balance of insurance due since February 1st. We delivered the Sun policy to George brush and mother Mary Brush on River Street, it having for many years past with T. Jones, agent, now deceased and now comes to us. Mrs. E. M. Griffith brought me a blank from the pension office to be certified to by the clerk of the Superior Court as to my authority as Notary Public to be kept on file at Washington. Still feeling miserable I stayed in the house on the lounge all the PM. George S. Purdy took tea with us. He made a clam stew for me which I relished. He helped me do the barn work after tea. Mr. Daragan gave me a check for $20.00 dated the 16th in payment for insurance on his brick block. George Starr was with us in the evening. I felt so badly that I had him go up and have Dr. Sunderland come to see me which he did and left medicine for me. William Rich’s house was burned to the ground early this morning out at Mill Plain. JUNE 15 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 60. A little warmer. I have kept quiet today. My left testicle is feeling quite sore. I fear a recurrence of past time trouble with them. At 4 PM, I went up to Dr. Sunderland’s and he gave me another remedy for the last trouble named. I grew warm during the day. JUNE 16 THURSDAY - Still warmer and pleasant. George took his wife and drove to Beaverbrook to see the two Bradley’s – George M. and his father, Tomas C. – but did not find them. From there they went to New Fairfield to see Jack Baker about insuring cased tobacco, but they had not decided to do so because another party intended had to be consulted. I am so much worse, that immediately on his arrival, I sent him for Dr. Sunderland. He came about 4 PM and prescribed for me. JUNE 17 FRIDAY - Another warm day. I had a restless night up to midnight when I took another pain powder and slept fairly well until this morning. Doctor came this forenoon. George and Mr. Beeman will look after the business this morning. They left N. C. Hoyt’s policy at the Union Savings Bank. Saw W. E. Lewis about the transfer of his policy to Beaverbrook in the Paul Shortland house for which he has traded his Patch Street property. I have kept quiet today. I am holding my own, I think, but no great improvement. Mrs. Hawley stayed with Mary last night to assist in case I should need any special care. JUNE 18 SATURDAY - Mercury 60. Pleasant and warm. Am neither better today, nor I think worse. Dr. Sunderland called at the noon hour and changed my medicine, giving me something stronger to move my bowels. It did not act as positively as desired. I could eat nothing to speak of. I ate no supper at all. Mrs. Hawley did our marketing for us for Sunday. George S. came over and did our barn work. Mrs. Charles Fowler called in the PM and paid balance of insurance. Also did Arthur Dibble, paying $5.00 on account of his bill. JUNE 19 SUNDAY - Warmer. I am feeling very much better. Medicine for moving my bowels given yesterday by Dr. Sunderland commenced operations about 1 o’clock last night and kept me busy until morning. George S. came over in the morning and took care of the horse, Gip, and did the other barn work. After breakfast, I cleaned up and dressed my swollen testicles with a new dressing of Antiphlogistine.(Note: In the early 20th century, Antiphlogistine was one of the old remedies for boils, poison ivy and chest congestion, first used in 1893 and created by Denver Chemical of New York. The initial trademark application reads :(EXPIRED) IC 005. US 006. G & S: MEDICINAL PREPARATION POSSESSING CURATIVE PROPERTIES AND BEING A CURATIVE REMEDY FOR INJURIES AND ACUTE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS. FIRST USE: 18931001. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 1893).George S. brought the mail at noon and stayed to dinner. Mr. Beeman called while we were at dinner, just before which Dr. Sunderland called and immediately pronounced me better. About 5 PM, George S. fed the horse and made her bed, then went over home to water his plants and write to Sarah who is in New York with Louise, leaving him alone. We received postal this noon from Mr. Wodzilowski to call and look after a small loss on his furniture. JUNE 20 MONDAY - Mercury 74. Pleasant. After breakfast, I sent George up to Dr. Sunderland’s with a sample of my water for examination as to kidney trouble. He pronounced it alright. George this forenoon went to 84 Balmforth Avenue to see about a small loss for Mr. Wodzilowski, which occurred Saturday morning the 18th, the loss being damage to clothing only from a lamp in a clothes closet. Dr. Sunderland called at noon. He says that I am better which in an all-round way of speaking is true. I am compelled to keep off my feet as much as possible. John Bouton called a few minutes in the PM. George S. took tea with us, and then fed the horse for me. Fannie and Ida Stone called in the evening. JUNE 21 FRIDAY - Mercury 68. I am feeling very much better this morning. George with Mr. Beeman took our kerosene blue flame stove to be soldered as it leaked too badly when last used to continue use until the leak can be stopped. I wrote a sharp letter to H. A. Wildman to pay the Rundle & White premium which he has collected on the same policy – premium $100. I ate well at dinner. After dinner, Adele l. Clark called to see about renewing the insurance formerly Cornelius Dibble’s property, as she is now living there herself and it is not a strictly tenant farm. I reduced the rate from $2.25 to $1.50. I wrote the policy though expiring on the 24th and at 5PM she called and paid for it. Mr. Peirans and son Frank are over today to place a new water pipe from house No. 11 to the water main in William Street. I settled and gave to them a check for May rents. Mr. Beeman came over and did my barn work feeding the horse, etc. at about 6 PM. In the evening, Mrs. Hawley came over and gave Mary a shampoo. JUNE 22 WEDNESDAY - Mercury 76. Very warm and muggy. I am holding my own and feeling as well or better than yesterday. The doctor did not call yesterday, my condition not requiring him. He called on me about 10 AM today without charge to see how I am getting along. He said I am doing well and require very little medicine now. A plenty of air stirring which makes the day quite comfortable if out in the sun. George with Mr. Beeman accompanying went over to Beaverbrook this morning to see George Bradley and collect the $3.00 balance of his insurance. He only got $2.00 and from George Bradley he got one dozen eggs on account of his insurance. He called on Mr. Grover but he was away. After George returned, he carried Mr. Beeman to the depot to go to Thomaston to attend the funeral of a brother. Just before dinner, we had a lively shower without thunder which lasted about 5 minutes. Fannie called a few minutes in the PM. JUNE 23 THURSDAY - Mercury 60 at 6 AM; 78 at noon. Pleasant and cool. I hoed out part of my garden before breakfast. George took the horse and went down to W. Taylor’s Plumbing Shop for our Blue Flame Kerosene Stove which has been there for two days past, but it had not yet been mended. In the PM, Jacob Becker from New Fairfield came over to have $800 insurance on furniture. He is having a lawsuit on the same to recover from the Westchester Insurance Company. I secured the job and wrote the policy. He will call for it and pay the next time he comes to town. George Starr came over and helped me do the barn work at night. JUNE 24 FRIDAY - Mercury at 60. Pleasant. I finished hoeing out my garden before breakfast. After breakfast, I went up to consult Dr. Sunderland. Mary Foley called to have notary work on an application for change in beneficiary on Alice Doyle’s policy in the Metropolitan. George drove up to the Alms House to get her signature. While he was away, O. E. Cook from Bridgeport came to adjust the Wodzilowski loss. After dinner, George went to meet him to attend to the matter. When George returned in the morning, he brought the kerosene stove mending for leak from W. H. Taylor. JUNE 25 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 65; at noon, 90. Pleasant. Very warm. George went to the bank and made a deposit before dinner. I walked over to Mr. Morrell’s store on Orchard Street and delivered a policy on his stock, this being the farthest I have walked in a week. I kept the office door closed to keep out the heat and stayed inside all the PM. After sundown, I hoed over the veranda flower bed. While doing so, Mr. MacArthur, who recently went on an excursion to Jerusalem and Palestine, came over and we had an interesting talk about his trip. Mrs. Hawley just at night did our Sunday marketing for us. George came over in the evening and brought ice cream to cool and regale us with. JUNE 26 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 74; at noon, 94. Very much cooler this morning. George mowed the dooryard this morning, after which he went with me riding up to Byron Dexter’s to talk about him taking over our mortgage. There is nothing certain yet. From there we went over to the City Hall. George Wakeman’s signature as one the town assessors that Frances L. Dexter had no property as shown by the assessors’ books. I also got the signature of the two other assessors, Frank Benedict and John Hassett. From there, I had John Booth, as clerk of the Superior Court make a Certificate of Notary’s Authority for file at the Pension Department at Washington. I then called and collected $3.00 on account of insurance of Lottie Stock. I secured Dr. Parmalee’s signature as executor of the estate of Susan Beard making assignment of policies over to Carwell Higby. I was quite tired with my forenoon’s work and ay on the lounge most of the PM. JUNE 28 TUESDAY - Mercury 54. Cooler and not entirely clear in the morning. Before dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me to Mallory’s Shop to see Mr. Brown of Hawleyville about insurance on his furniture. We then arranged with James Scott and Nellie Schumacher for renewal of their house and furniture on Starr Avenue for July 2nd. Then I called on Mrs. Frank Klopp on Maple Avenue and took up her policy as she intends to break up and go to California to be with her husband who is there. Just at night, William H. Smith of Bethel and William Humphries of Danbury, both comrades of George S. Purdy came with George to my office and made affidavits on his behalf as to bladder trouble contracted in the army in the matter of his application for pension. The day has been a good one to guess on lowery with an occasional sprinkle but not enough to lay the dust. JUNE 29 WEDNESDAY - Rain during last night and this morning and somewhat warmer than yesterday. It cleared away about noon. After dinner, Mr. Beeman going with me, I drove over to Mr. Dunn’s beyond Hull’s Hill to collect on insurance but did not succeed. We then went up to Morris Street to arrange for renewal of Stephen Stuckey’s dwelling and barn and from there to Padaranum Avenue to collect form Mrs. Quinn. She promised for next Saturday. Then to Osborne Street and Locust Avenue to see John Mazzia who is sick. He cannot pay and will be obliged to cancel. It was warm and muggy in the PM. JUNE 30 THURSDAY - Mercury 65. Lowery and muggy. George brought from the Post Office this morning a draft of $45.00 from George Shaw, special agent of the Agricultural Insurance Company, in payment of the Wodzilowski loss, which occurred on June 18th. Fannie called in the PM. I made up the cancellation of Rufus Rice’s policy on furniture, No. 996398 in the Greenwich Insurance Company and forwarded by mail to the Commercial Union Assurance Company, reinsurers of the Greenwich Insurance Company. About 7PM, Morris Wodzilowski called in response to a postal sent him this morning for a draft in the payment of his loss. I took his application as to name, age, and place of birth for a policy of life insurance which he promises to take in 4 weeks or sooner. Rufus Reed came in the evening and paid his life insurance premium due today, ad before I closed the office, I wrote a check to send to William Schiffler, the cashier of the Equitable Life Insurance Company at New Haven to pay the same. I have felt comfortable but am still very weak. I have not been off the premises today, attended to office only.
1904-06