Horace Purdy Journal September 1904 Entry

Creator

Purdy, Horace, 1835-1909

Title

Horace Purdy Journal September 1904 Entry

Date

1904-09

Description

9 pgs

Subject

Danbury (Conn.) -- History.

Agricultural Insurance Company

Andrew Bell

Beckerle Shop

Beers Family

Bridget O'Connor

Carroll Rider

Charles Bevins

Charles Fowler

Clarence Morgan

Connecticut Fire Insurance Company

Couch's Picture Gallery

Danbury Fairgrounds

Danbury Savings Bank

Edwin Griffith

Equitable Life Insurance Company

Fannie Hirsch (daughter)

Francis Harris

Frank Clark

George (Georgie) Purdy

George Bradley

George Foote

George Hall

Harley Beeman

Henry Starr

Herbert Wildman

Holly Greene's Hat Factory

Hoyt and Walthausen

James VanGordon

John Bouton

John Stevens

Julius Stone

Larkin Soap Company

Lena Knapp

Lottie Williams

Louisa Kimball

Lucy Haines

Majik Garlick

Mary Dean

Morelock and Husk Machine Shop

Moses Baxter

Mother Griswold

Mrs. George Hawley

Nellie Schoonmaker

New Machine Company

Orlando Williams

Reliance Insurance Company

Robert Chambers

Robinson's Fur Factory

Royal Tomlinson

Rufus Reed

S. W. Bradley

Sarah Keeler

Sarah Purdy

Short's Hat Factory (Bethel)

Silvestri Barbershop

Soldiers’ Home (Noroton)

Sun Insurance Company

Targett and Siemon

Union Savings Bank

W. Sunderland

Will Dean

William Hoyt

William Schiffer

Publisher

Western Connecticut State University

Abstract

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.