Horace Purdy Journal July 1904 Entry (Still Image)

Horace Purdy Journal July 1904 Entry

Purdy, Horace, 1835-1909

9 pgs

JULY 01 FRIDAY - Mercury 68. Warm and sultry but little sunshine. Showers in the PM and evening. George with Mr. Beeman took our Blue Flame Kerosene Oil stove in the buggy down to Taylor’s Tin Shop in the morning to have him stop the leak in the tank which he recently tried to do but failed. He succeeded better this time. Lottie Hirsch came up in the forenoon. After getting the oil stove home, I took the horse and with Lottie went again into the street and I went up to the corner of Main and North Streets and I collected from daughter the balance due from insurance on the house for Mrs. Anna Evans. After dinner Lottie went with me to D. Gage’s Blacksmith Shop and got Gip shod new all around, after which I carried Lottie down home. JULY 02 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. Pleasant and cool. George helped me place a framework around my tomato plants this morning, after which I had Mr. Beeman go with me up to Orrin Knox’s to get his affidavit jointly with that of Edwin Rockwell as to the marriage of Leonard Dexter and his wife and that they lived together as man and wife until the death of Mr. Dexter. I made a deposit at the bank and drew brother George’s pay for him at the Eagle Hat Factory as to arrangement made yesterday, I having cashed his account prior to him going to New York yesterday. I called at the office of George Stevens’ and Son and got a check for a broker policy I wrote for them on John W. Green. I also received one by mail from J. M. Layton of Norwalk for the Walthousen policy. After dinner, I got Edwin Rockwell’s affidavit. I then went to the barber shop. JULY 03 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 60. A model day. No dust. Pleasant, cool and comfortable. After cleaning up, I went to the Post Office for my mail, and then went to Edwin Rockwell’s on Foster Street to get his age and also the age of Orrin Knox to insert in their affidavit given yesterday on behalf of Mrs. Dexter in the matter of her application for pension. I then took a car over to White Street to see John Bristol about his furniture insurance expiring today. We took dinner with Mrs. Hawley. A union patriotic service is to be held this evening at our church. Mary and Mrs. Hawley attended. I did not feel able to go myself. JULY 04 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 52. A delightful day; neither cold nor hot. After doing my morning work, care of the horse, etc. I ,at about 9 AM, got Mr. Beeman to ride with me over to the freight depot in response to a postal received yesterday from George S. Purdy in New York that he had shipped a package of crackers to me by freight. They proved to be a dozen bottles of Seely’s Ginger Ale. On arriving home, I gave Beeman one bottle. We then, Mary and I, got off by trolley as soon as possible to Bethel to George L. and the Becker’s for a clam bake and 4th of July dinner. We returned home about 7 PM and found Fannie and daughter Lottie at the house in the hammock waiting for us. There were present at the Becker’s besides the old Beckers and George and wife, George Becker, his wife and 4 children, Mr. John Rogers, wife and little girl from West Wooster Street, and Mr. Stevens, his wife and little girl, boarders of Mr. Becker. A photograph of the party was taken in two different groups. Fannie, after opening a bottle of Ginger Ale, goes home, leaving Lottie to stay the night with us. JULY 05 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 66. Warmer today. I drove to see about renewal of Dexter, Lyon, Small and Sarah Austin. Lottie, who stayed over with us, rode around with me and I finished up by taking her home about 11 o’clock with some things she had for their dinner. Her father had just left the trolley car to get his dinner when we got there. Fannie gave me a half loaf of new bread to bring home. When I arrived, Joseph Kroha was at the office with George reporting a fire last evening about 6 o’clock in a clothes closet, Ladies’ clothing chiefly burned. Joseph Kroha estimated the loss at about $50. After dinner, I drove up to see it, after which I reported the same to the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. The balance of the PM, I stayed home and attended to office work while Mary and Mrs. Hawley went into the street shopping. George came home from New York in the evening. JULY 06 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 65. A brief shower last night. After breakfast, I took the spindle buggy down to W. Hall’s Blacksmith Shop and carried a gallon of vinegar down to Fannie’s , then went down to Mr. Wixted’s to try and collect for insurance; he not being at home, I left word for him. In the PM, I collected from E. M. Buckley, treasurer for Sarah Taylor’s estate for the insurance on the old Sturdivant place at the White Street terminus of the trolley line. I called on J. Beal, but got nothing. I called at Steven’s insurance office to get forms for renewing Lee Hat Manufacturing Company on July 11. I consulted with the Stamp Clerk, A. H. Hawes about the rate for the Blacksmith Shop of Patrick Lynch at Beaverbrook. Before dinner, I called on Lynch in reference to insurance. I tried to collect from Arthur Grover, but could not, but got 2 dozen eggs and $2.00 from George Bradley. About 5 PM, I went to the blacksmith shop for my wagon. In the evening, Rebecca Dibble called to see about gasoline and kerosene oil stove permits on her insurance policies. Nellie Hamilton and her baby spent the PM and took tea with us. George came over in the evening. JULY 07 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 70. Light shower last night, which being cloudy gave us gentle showers in the forenoon. Clarence Morgan, about 10 AM, reported loss about one o’clock this morning in house at 4 Wildman Street, an accident with a lamp. I took the trolley and went over directly with him; the loss is about $350. I so reported to the Reliance Insurance Company which has the risk. We received short loss proof from the Connecticut Insurance Company this morning with instructions to adjust the same on Joseph Kroha on furniture policy No. 2003 located on 2nd Avenue. In the PM, I went there and adjusted the same at $45 and sent in proof of loss by mailing the same in the evening. Brother George came over and took tea with us. On my return from 2nd Avenue, I found Henry Hawthorne, brother of Halsey Hawthorne, waiting for me to have me mark his June pension voucher. He is the noted fellow who in England many years ago, saved a wealthy woman from drowning and who in her will left him a large fortune. JULY 08 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6AM -62; at noon-78. I t rained moderately about all of last night. Warm and muggy this morning. Before dinner, Mr. Beeman rode with me to deliver policies to John Bristol, Alice Mortimer, George Denton and Della Lyon. I delivered a life insurance receipt to R. C. Reid at the Turner Machine Company shop. I mailed Greenwich policies to the Commercial Union to approve endorsements on John Greely policy 214988 and Center School District policy 2120828. I bought 21 pounds of granulated sugar for $1.00 at the tea store and came home. Prior to this drive, however, I took a diagram of3 park Avenue for John Greeley transfer and left word at Byron Dexter’s to have his mother call as early as possible to sign papers in her pension claim. After dinner, I took a nap in the office. At 3 PM, special agent Knox of the Reliance appeared in a carriage to adjust the Clarence Morgan loss on Wildman Street. We immediately went there, but found him away in the hay field at Beaverbrook. We sent for him; after his arrival, we adjusted the loss without an appraisal for $237. We then took a trolley ride over to the lake and returned at 6 o’clock, just in time for my tea which was waiting with brother George to dine with us. After tea, George and Mary went over to Mrs. Biddescombe’s on Stevens Street to see about making up a Larkin Soap order. JULY 09 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 58; at noon-77. Pleasant. After breakfast, I hoed out my garden. Then I called on Olive Lake to satisfy her that her policy contained permits on kerosene oil and gasoline stores. I then, with Mr. Beeman, rode up to 2nd Avenue and paid Kroha $45 for his fire loss on July 4th. I delivered various policies. I ordered 100 pounds of bran from Barnum. I made a deposit and found brother George on the street and carried him up to his shop to get his pay and then came home to dinner. Mrs. Dexter called about 11 o’clock in reference to word sent her by telephone yesterday to sign an affidavit as to her marriage; the same being required in her claim for pension. Mrs. Lucy Harris called in the PM regarding her insurance and promised to pay next week. Mrs. Hawley rode with me to do the Sunday marketing. We drove down to Fannie’s but he was not at home. Frank Moody called in the evening and paid his life premium. JULY 10 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 65. As frank Moody’s life insurance premium was due yesterday and paid last evening, I made check this morning dated yesterday to send in payment of the same. Lowery with more or less light rain in the forenoon. Brother George being alone (his wife being in New York) came over to breakfast. He took dinner with us also, as did Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, our neighbors. After dinner, I made a check and mailed to W. B. Schiffer, cashier of Equitable Life at New Haven to pay Frank Moody’s premium due and paid to me last evening. I also completed the reliance Insurance Company’s June account and mailed it. McArthur and Mrs. Hawley went to hear deacon talk about his time in the Holy Land – Palestine. JULY 11 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 68; at noon – 72. Lowery, warm and muggy. John Rogers of West Wooster Street left $.70 to pay for Becker and Purdy group pictures which were taken on the Becker lawn, being two distinct grouped positioned groups, one at the table and the other grouped on the lawn. After breakfast, I went down to Charles Dickens to see the damage he had about 8 o’clock last night by explosion of a lamp. After viewing it, I drove up to Bennet’s Shop to see him about the matter before reporting it to the company (Sun Insurance office). After making up report of the same, I took James Martin (who had called at the office) with me and mailed the report. I then called at Rundle & White’s to have him get after Herbert Wildman to pay me the premium he received from Rundle & White for the premium for the $5,000 Sun policy I wrote on their factory. On my arrival home, I found Richard Lee, Jr., assistant special agent of the Sun waiting for me to go out on an inspection trip. After dinner, we hitched up Gip and George started with him. Soon thereafter, James Beckett, school committee member, of Middle River called to have their schoolhouse policy made over to the town of Danbury as now all districts have been consolidated. George and Mr. Lee returned about 6 PM. JULY 12 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 68; at noon, 82. Pleasant and warm, but considerable air stirring. Special Agent Lee of the Sun started again with George this morning to finish up his inspection list. We went to Plum Trees and Gallows Hill, so-called near West Redding depot in the morning. George hired a livery team today by request of agent Lee. They returned about 3 PM, having completed their inspection tour with a pretty satisfactory idea of this agency’s work. No cancellations ordered, but 2 or 3 suggestions for improvement. I went over the work by reference to duplicate D. R. with special agent Lee which took the remainder of the afternoon. Mary received a letter from Clara Watkins that they (she and her mother) expected to start for Danbury next Thursday noon. I sent a postal for Clara to add to our order for 2 Scott’s Emulsion, making it three. About 7 PM, a heavy thunder shower threatened which largely passed around us but a moderate rain about 8 o’clock. JULY 13 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM, 68. It rained after the shower last evening most of the night. Lowery early this morning but came off pleasant about 9 o’clock. Received a check for $237 from the Reliance Insurance Company for the Clarence Morgan loss on last Thursday morning. Before noon, I reported the same to him and got his signature to receipt of same then left it at the Savings Bank of Danbury to whom policy is made payable for mortgage. I also delivered a policy to Sarah Austin. Fannie called in the PM and after my dinner nap, I drove with her up to the cemetery. I then took up from the registered letter department of the Post Office the letter I wrote Herbert Wildman on June 21st, which he refused to receive after two notices to call for same. I then drove down home with Fannie leaving on my way at A. S. Arnold’s a policy for the Wooster Hose Company No. 5. Achille Canale reported small damage by gasoline stove this morning under Niagara policy 6312, re-issued in Norwich and re-re-issued in Commercial Union. I reported the same this evening to Commercial Union by way of Greenwich Insurance Company. JULY 14 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 52. Cool, but pleasant. The first snap shot pictures of our Bethel Becker 4th of July clambake, George brought up this morning and took them over to John Rogers on West Wooster Street. Before breakfast, I cleaned out the grass in the cracks of my boardwalks. I made out June accounts to Agricultural and Sun. I received from the Commercial Union the policies of John Greely and Locust Avenue School in Greenwich with the endorsement approved. I delivered the same to Charles Mason, then went over to Beaverbrook and directed Mrs. Fuller about the stove in the old shed attached to her dwelling occupied by a tenant. I requested her to tell her husband Mr. Fuller to pay the balance due on his mother‘s (Harriet Fuller) place. I collected $2.00 and one dozen eggs of George Bradley on account. I went over to the depot to meet Clara and Hattie Watkins coming from Hartford, but they did not come. They will probably come on the evening train. Mrs. Brownlow came on the train, however, so I brought her home. I went again to meet the 7:25 train only to be disappointed again. JULY 15 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM-60. After George arrived from Bethel this morning, I drove to Brookfield to look after Robert and Effie Jones’ insurance which expires on the 23rd instant. I also arranged for the renewal of Anna and Harriet Bronson which also expired on the same day. When I arrived home at noon, I found Hattie Watkins and daughter Clara who we expected yesterday from Hartford. They arrived this morning on the 9:15 train. They brought us as requested wicks for the Blue Flame kerosene stove, a bottle of Scott’s Emulsion Cod Liver Oil and a 10 cent package of Barber’s green Ink Powder. After dinner, I wrote to E. Crouch at Ridgefield, the mortgagee on the Jones place at Brookfield to send me by mail the New London County Mutual policy expiring the same date , July 23rd, that I may copy amount, etc. from it in making up the Jones policy. I stayed in the office in the PM and rested from my morning drive. I wrote and sent a bill in the evening to Herbert Wildman for the Rundle & White policy which he brokered for us. Herman came up and brought Georgie with him, for an evening call. JULY 16 SATURDAY - Mercury 65 at 6 AM; at noon -82. George brought up the Bethel Becker clambake 4th of July pictures (2 groups) this morning. Two thunder showers last night; the first about 11 o’clock, the second about 3 o’clock this morning. Clara Watkins rode with me this morning to do the Sunday marketing. I made a deposit before noon and had a word with T. C. Millard, the bank president about life insurance, i.e., the Equitable 5% Gold Bond, after which I drove up to Hoyt Wolthausen‘s factory to see if they had a gas machine with their plant; they had not. After dinner, Mrs. Michael Freeman called and applied and paid for a $500 insurance policy on furniture for 3 months in the Reliance Insurance Company. Charles Brush also ordered a policy for $150 on hay for one year in the John Brush barn. Later in the PM, I drove over for a diagram of the brush barn. Mrs. Hawley went with me. Also over to Durant Street for the freeman diagram, after which we both did some marketing for Sunday. In the evening, George Hawley with his mother came over for me to go security for his household goods bought on the installment plan and part paid for which they will not allow him to move to Norwalk without one to go security for them. I of course refused. JULY 17 SUNDAY - Mercury at 7 AM – 70; at noon – 84. Pleasant. After doing the morning work and taking my morning bath, I went to the Post Office and received a short proof of loss from Arthur Hatch to make up for loss of Charles Dickens’ under policy in the Sun which occurred last Sunday evening. On my way, I remailed to the stamp Clerk, Howes, the 4 months new company permit for Sterling Fanton which was returned to be amended, making same standard by being null and void if not in charge of a competent person. Brother George was with us with our visitors Hattie and Clara Watkins. Walter Tomlinson called while I was at the Post Office to see if I could go with him at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning to appraise the L. Hartwell property. Mary, with Clara and Hattie attended church in the evening to hear Deacon Mc Arthur tell of his trip to the Holy Land. JULY 18 MONDAY - Mercury 6 AM – 65; at noon-85. Rain during last night accompanied by a thunder shower. Cloudy this morning with doubtful appearance of it being a pleasant day. In the middle of the forenoon, it came off pleasant and W. Tomlinson and I went up to George Hartwell’s and appraised his property and returned before dinner. I arrange for Charles Dickens to come this evening to our office to adjust his loss which occurred a week ago yesterday. After dinner, I delivered a policy to Michael Freeman on Durant Street. I compared notes as to the insurance of automobile with stamp clerk A. H. Hawes and then took the trolley to Bethel and arranged for the renewal of O. B. Smith’s insurance tomorrow, after which I called on Mrs. Street to see why she did not last week come and pay $5.00 on her note as she promised. She now promises to come next Saturday. In the evening, Charles Dickens came to the office and I adjusted his fire loss of a week ago last Sunday for $30 in the same insurance office and before retiring, I mailed two proofs to Arthur Hatch, special agent at Boston. JULY 19 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6AM – 68; at noon – 90. After breakfast, I took the trolley to Bethel to get the decision of G. B. Smith as to the annual automobile permit or one with contemporaneous for 5 years the term of the policy. They decided the annual. George mowed the lawn. Hattie and Clara Watkins bought a lawn swing at the village store. Being pretty tired, I took a nap after dinner. Fannie called in the afternoon. Sent check for the May balance to the Sun. Called at Stamp Clerk Howe’s office and compared the April automobile permit with the standard permit. A slight change only was required to make it the G. B. Smith. George had omitted to write the $300 on the barn in the form thought he had included it in the totals. Fire alarm box No. 26 on North Street and Balmforth Avenue struck at 8:30 in the evening. JULY 20 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM - 70; at noon - 82. George took Clara Watkins up with him to Westville to try and collect from James Stevens and also to leave a policy with Chester Wilson at King Street. The wind changed into the north this morning which has given a little setback to the extreme heat. In the forenoon, I went into the street and left Etta Mason’s policy at the Union Savings Bank after exhibiting it to her husband Charles Mason, the register letter clerk at the Post Office. I also had David Hoyt sign an application for increase in pension at the railroad depot with George Chase and A. H. Reinhart as witnesses. In the PM, I ordered two bales of hay of C. W. Keeler, had a short talk with Arthur Cable on life insurance. Eugene Hyatt came in the Mind insured his furniture for $500 for 5 years at 36 Division Street. In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Hawley came over and made 2 quarts of ice cream for us, which we finished to the last spoonful with help of Brother George who came over. JULY 21 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 64. The 43rd anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. Mr. Jackson sent by us for Dr. McDonald to come and see Ida Jackson who is sick. George went with me up to see Barbara Moser at 7 Prince Street regarding renewal of her furniture policy which she let lapse. George as notary had David Hoyt and his witnesses acknowledge their signatures to his application for increase in pension. Having taken cold, I am feeling about sick today. After dinner, George rode up to Prince Street with me and delivered and collected on a policy for Barbara Moser; also called on Mr. Hyatt who recently bought out the grocery of S. W. Lathrop and solicited the insurance on their stock. Mary, with her sister Hattie and daughter Clara Watkins spent the afternoon over at the lake. I wrote again to the Commercial Union about the gasoline stove damage of Achille Canale. I sent to the Commissioner of Pensions the application of David Hoyt for increase from $6 to $8 under the old age ruling, he being over 65 years old. JULY 22 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Lowery in the morning. When George arrived from Bethel, we mended the spindle shaft which Gip broke at the hitch post in front of the office yesterday, after which I drove to Brookfield and delivered a policy to Harriet Bowman and arranged for renewing a policy for Robert Jones. On my return home at noon, I stopped and got another dozen eggs of George Bradley on account of his insurance. After dinner, we wrote the Jones policy. I then went down to A. T. Bates office to see about title to a policy in the Union Savings Bank being made to Valentine Patch, it being the place formerly owned by Sidney Morris on the corner of George and Orchard Streets. On my return from Brookfield as I was watering my horse at Wooster Square, I saw for the first time in several weeks Herbert Wildman at a short distance. Before I could get at him for the $100 he owes me, he ducked into the stairway leading to A. T. Bates office in Starr’s block. It continued lowery all day with period of light rain in the PM. JULY 23 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Lowery and cool. After breakfast, I took Mrs. Griffith’s affidavit as to no prior marriage to that of Edwin Griffith; also went over to Beaverbrook for Ezra Wildman’s affidavit to same and to Mill Plain to Clarissa Grey’s making a joint affidavit with E. G. Wildman. I mailed the documents in the PM to the Commissioner of Pension. George came over in the PM. JULY 24 SUNDAY - Mercury at 8 AM – 62. Still cloudy until 11 AM when it began to rain and continued moderately during the day. I went to the Post Office at noon. George Starr Purdy was with us to dinner, after which I wrote to Manager G. W. VanFleet of the Equitable giving reason (on account of ill health) why I have done no business with them this summer. Mary, with Hattie and Clara Watkins, attended church this morning. JULY 25 MONDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 62. Lowery all day but with no rain worth mentioning. I received a letter from Herbert Wildman about the $100 premium for the Rundle & White premium for the $5,000 Sun policy. He claimed to have received a check which was not good which was the reason why he had not paid me. He did not say it was the Rundle & White check; neither did he say it was not. He said it however in connection with the Rundle & White matter intending probably for me to think it without specifically saying it was their check. I showed it to Mr. Rundle and he read it in the same light that we did. The language was very adroit yet did not directly say that it was Rundle & White’s check. I hoped to see Wildman personally today but was not able to do so. I received from J. B. Cralle, Mrs. Dexter’s attorney in Washington, blanks for two affidavits from personal acquaintances stating that she has not remarried; also wanting the town clerk’s certificate of the record of Leonard Dexter’s death. This I secured this PM. Mary, Hattie and Clara Watkins spent this evening at Mr. Beeman’s. JULY 26 TUESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 65; at noon – 78. Sunshine and shadow intermingled; warm and sultry. Received by morning mail a short proof of loss from W. J. Furness, special agent of the Connecticut Union for use on the small damage on the Achille Canale house which occurred on the 13th of July by accident with a gasoline stove. Picked our first cucumbers this morning. I called at Herbert Wildman’s house to see about the Rundle & White $100 premium, but did not find him there or at his office. Also before dinner, I called on Target & Siemon about the new insurance on their laundry. After dinner, I drove up to Joseph Blissard’s on Park Avenue and took alien of $1,000 on his furniture and personal property in the barn. Mr. Beeman was with me and we drove to Morris Street to see Steven Stuckey about collection of premium; also to Starr Avenue to see Mrs. Schoonmaker. Chester C. Bush of 21 Montgomery Street died about 3 PM. Hattie and Clara Watkins went down with Mary to Fannie’s to spend the evening. George came over in the evening and took a derby hat that Herman gave me to change the curl. Mrs. Leonard Dexter called about 5 PM to inquire about her pension claim and gave me a dollar for two certificates (50 cents each) as to assessor’s statement of no property record of Leonard or Frances Dexter and town clerk as to the death of Leonard Dexter. JULY 27 WEDNESDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 65; at noon – 80. Pleasant. We pulled our first mess of beets this morning for our dinner. Mrs. Hawley called on her way to the shop and signed an affidavit as to her personal acquaintance with Mrs. Frances Dexter and her own knowledge as to her not being remarried, the same being in the matter of her application for a widow’s pension. We took the spindle buggy down to Mr. Barber’s in the morning for a new shaft, one being broken, after which Hattie Watkins rode up with me to Mr. Robert Jones to Brookfield to deliver a policy written in the Connecticut Fire Insurance Company. On our return I stopped to see Daniel Joyce to see if he would take the mortgage on our place. He was not at home. I left word with Mrs. Joyce. I stopped at Mr. Fuller’s on my return to try to collect balance due; he was not at home. I also stopped at the establishment of Patrick McManus to inspect the stove pipe in the woodhouse. I then called at George Bradley’s and got a dozen eggs on his account. We arrive home in time for dinner. I completed some papers in Mrs. Dexter’s pension case and mailed in the PM to J. B. Crabbe, her attorney in Washington. In the evening, I called over to Mrs. Jennie Townsend to collect on her insurance but could not. JULY 28 THURSDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 64. Lowery and foggy in the morning. Received by morning mail a draft from the Sun for $30 in payment of the C. H. Dickens loss which we immediately delivered to him at Connett’s Hat Factory. After taking his receipt and endorsement of the draft, I cashed it for him and deposited the same in the bank. I called at his home and as directed if no one was home, I took his policy from the writing desk in the dining room and brought home to endorse on it the amount of the loss. We then went to W. Barber’s wagon shop on Railroad Avenue and brought home the spindle which he repaired with a new shaft. I am again attacked with swollen and painful testicles as a result of mucus matter in the urethra from catarrh of the bladder. I commenced treatment again with an application of anti-phlogistine and after dinner, I sent George up to Dr. Sunderland’s for medicine. I remained quiet, lying down for the rest of the day. While on the lounge in the office about 3 PM, Joe Thomas called to try and make arrangements with me to get house rent Joel Bates owes him from his pension next September. I of course could do nothing about it, a soldier’s pension being a sacred matter with the U. S. and exempt from attachment or garnishing. JULY 29 FRIDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 64. A hard thundershower about midnight last night. Lightning struck Daniel Depew’s house, tore off part of the roof and knocked off a portion of the chimney and some other slight damage in the house. Myself being unable to look after it after Mr. Depew reported it, I had George and John W. Bouton go up and appraise the damage. I reported to the Agricultural Insurance Company and special agent George Shaw the amount of $20 as being the damage and for fear of another shower might strike and do more damage by water before the roof was repaired, I took the responsibility and told John Bouton to repair it today if possible. I am still at home with my bladder and testicle problem. Sam Hoyt and a Mrs. Grace Clark, his neighbor, were with us to dinner, they having come from Ridgefield to buy groceries, etc. JULY 30 SATURDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 60. Pleasant. George looked up the loss reported by George Stevens & Son of car owned by Mary Jackson (struck by lightning) insured by policy No. 1974 Connecticut Insurance Company for Stevens by Treadwell. We reported the same at once. I received by freight one dozen ginger ales from New York which George ordered for us. After dinner, young Achille Canale came in and I adjusted the loss by gasoline stove in their house No. 2 for $2.50 and sent the same forward to W. T. Furness, special agent of the Connecticut Union, who has the risk by reinsurance of Greenwich Insurance Company. JULY 31 SUNDAY - Mercury at 6 AM – 74; at noon – 80. Muggy and warm. I had daughter Fannie take my key and go to the Post Office for my mail and the Sunday Press about 11 AM, and the proof of loss blank for adjustment of lightning damage under policy 7013 for Cornelia Depew with instructions to adjust and pay. While there has been considerable air stirring during the day, the humidity of the air has been about unbearable. After dinner about 4 o’clock, Mary and sister Hattie and daughter Clara went over to William Dean’s and stayed during the evening. They returned about 10 PM. George S. returned on the 8 PM train from New York City, having been down there with his wife at her sister’s (Louise)since last Wednesday, he not having any work last week at the shop. In the PM, I got Jesse Rogers to go over to John Bouton’s and have him come down and see me regarding the work he did in repairing the lightning damage to Cornelia Depew’s house for the Agricultural Insurance Company to aid me in making up the proof of loss blank which came by mail today.

1904-07

Danbury (Conn.) -- History.

Western Connecticut State University