Monthly Archives: May 2015

Truth in Print

I believe everything I read on the internet and before the Internet I believed everything that was printed in the newspaper. Afterall, would anything written be approved by an editor and published in print if it were not the truth?

Good deeds though don’t get as much publicity as bad news so you know that I was pleased to read this from the June 13, 1877 Indiana State Sentinel, A superior tramp made his appearance in Norwich, Conn., the other day. He asked for breakfast, and having received and eaten it he was requested to cut the grass in the front yard. He at once cheerfully went to work, and labored for three hours in the hot sun. The neighbors were called in to look at this unprecedented phenomenon, and such was the admiration which the spectacle excited that the industrious tramp received a good dinner, 25 cents in cash and a tolerable pair of pantaloons.

And a good joke was not kept a secret but was also spread through the power of print. Like this treasure from the June 7, 1877 Terre Haute Weekly Gazette that originated from the Norwich Bulletin.

It seems a Norwich man, who lectured in an adjoining town last week, came home and reported that he had a regular ovation. It seems the audience threw eggs at him.

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Feed, Shade and Water Animals

Lately the papers have been full of the stories of animals saving other animals or perhaps a human that has gotten itself into a sad and sorry situation so it came as no real surprise when I ran across this article from the May 22, 1879 Plymouth Republican. 

There is a dog in Norwich, CT which is entitled to salvage from the insurance companies. In emergencies he never fails to raise an alarm. Recently the straw bedding under a horse in the stable caught fire. The dog rushed into the stall, drew the burning blanket from under the horse and carried it into the street , burning himself quite severely.

Our pets and the neighborhood wild animals ask so little of us. A safe place to roam. A supply of food and the freedom to eat and enjoy it (However this does not mean that my vegetable garden has been planted for this purpose. ) and fresh water to drink.

Please remember to provide shade and water for your pets and don’t forget the wild critters as well.

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To GW From C. Leffingwell

Modesty will not lead you to wealth and sometimes it just doesn’t lead you anywhere. A friend has been poking around in the Founders Archives and brought to my attention a few letters I will be presenting to you from time to time. My gratitude to the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. http://founders.archives.gov/documents

To George Washington from Christopher Leffingwell, 15 July 1789 From Christopher Leffingwell

Norwich [Conn.] July 15 1789. The Petition of Christopher Leffingwell humbly sheweth—That your Petitioner took a decided part at the commencement of the late War; a circumstance in evidence. He was one of Six Gentlemen who furnished Money, planned & gave Orders to the Officers who went from Hartford the 25th of May 1775 to raise Men at Pittsfield Bennington &C. to take possession of Ticonderoga & Crown Point & secure the military Stores there—Your Petitioner was in the mercantile line before the War, & was in easy circumstances; was appointed a purchaser for the State of Connecticut; and served under Colo. Trumbull Commissary General during his continuance—also served in the quarter master department under General Mifflin during his continuance in that department. In which time he advanced large Sums of his own money for Provisions &C. for which he now has Loan office Certificates for several thousand Pounds, the Interest of which for many years has been of little use for support of a large family—He has been the Officer for the Port of Norwich ever since it was first established; which since he quitted mercantile business has given him considerable towards support. Your Petitioner is the senior Naval Officer in Connecticut east of New Haven; had, and presumes still has the confidence of his fellow citizens, is known by all the Gentlemen in Congress from this State—Mr Huntington from this Town Col. Wadsworth, Col. Trumbull, & Mr Sturges he is intimately acquainted with—The Honourable members in Senate know him & can give his character—He therefore humbly prays for the appointment of Collector for the District of New London—being advised by some of the members to solicit; presuming he has no competitor who has a better right to solicit with hope; & your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray

Chrisr Leffingwell

ADS, DLC:GW. Christopher Leffingwell (1734–1810) was a Norwich businessman and manufacturer, who in 1766 established the first paper mill in Connecticut. In 1770 he established a fulling mill, a gristmill, and a chocolate mill in partnership with his brother Elisha Leffingwell. During the Revolution Leffingwell served as a colonel in the Norwich light infantry brigade, and in 1784 he was appointed naval officer for the port of Norwich. By 31 July 1789 Leffingwell had apparently learned that the main port of entry for district no. 1 in Connecticut was to be New Haven, not Norwich, and he again wrote GW: “It being Suggested to me by my worthy friend Col. Trumbull that General Huntington was one of my competitors for the office of Collector at the district of New London whose character is high in my estimation. should your Excellency after comparing our claims qualifications & situation appoint him to that office I earnestly solicit that I may not be wholly unnoticed but be appointed Suveyor for that district” (DLC:GW). When the customs appointments were made in August 1789, the post of surveyor for New London went to Nathaniel Richards, not Leffingwell. Jedediah Huntington was named to the collector’s post (DHFC, description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds. Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America, March 4, 1789-March 3, 1791. 20 vols. to date. Baltimore, 1972—.description ends 2:14, 18).

Scotch Syndicate House

Leaping to conclusions is never, ever going to lead me to a good thing. I have taken to reading the telegrams that were printed in the newspapers across the country. I’ll bet you thought that there was privacy before the internet. Nope. Personal and business matters sent by telegram keystrokes were published in local papers after delivery or pick-up by the intended. Sometimes it was Jane Doe received a telegram from her brother John Smith in Another City and sometimes it was a juicy tell-all.

Anyway, I found the following on page 3 in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Telegram-Herald of December 07, 1887. I of course read it backwards and thought immediately that it concerned the breaking of the wall for the expansion of the Boston Store (later Reid & Hughes) building in Norwich. But I was wrong and it was the breaking down of the wall in the Grand Rapids store and now I just want to know who the members of the Scotch Syndicate House in Norwich, CT were.  

The following dispatches between the Boston Store of this city and the Scotch Syndicate House, of Norwich, explains itself:

Grand Rapids Dec 5. 1887
 To A. Mitchell, Norwich, CT A glorious success. Crowd passing through the wall through Foster, Stevens & Co. Trankla, Jamieson & Co.

Norwich, Ct. to John Jamieson : Telegram received. Accept our congratulations on your grand success; hope it will be repeated tomorrow.
 A. Mitchell

Grand Rapids Dec. 6, 1887
 Crowd equally as large this afternoon, an unqualified success.
 Trankla, Jamieson  & Co.

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Bees

I was so longing for the sights and sounds and warmth of summer. I welcomed the drone of the flying insects the flies, wasps and bees. So I was led to discover a few legends regarding bees.  That’s when I found these treasures  –

  • In some areas of Northern Europe, New England and Appalachia, it was believed that once someone died, it was important for the family to “go tell the bees” of the death. Whoever kept the bees for the family would make sure the bees got the news, so that they could spread it around.
  • If a bee flies into your house, it means that someone is coming to visit. If you kill the bee, the visitor will bring you bad news.
  • Know the phrase “busy as a bee”? Bees in a hive work repetitively at the same task all day long. A bee may forage as many as ten miles a day, gathering pollen and nectar to bring back to the hive, over and over again. According to the National Honey Board, a bee may visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just one pound of honey.
  • Bees, in some cultures, are associated with purity because worker bees that produce honey never mate.
  • If a bee lands on your hand, it is a sign money is coming your way.
  • Author J.K. Rowling named Professor Albus Dumbledore for an archaic English word related to bees. She imagined the headmaster of Hogwarts “wandering around the castle humming to himself,” and so chose to associate his name with bees.
  • Ancient Egyptian pharaohs used the honeybee as the royal symbol, during the period between 3000 b.c.e. and 350 b.c.e.
  • The Greeks believed that a baby whose lips were touched by a bee would become a great poet or speaker.
  • Several deities are associated with bees and honey – Aphrodite, Vishnu, Pan, Cybele, and Ra and the Norse eddas, are connected with Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
  • In Celtic mythology, the bee is a messenger between our world and the spirit realm.

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John Decker, the Crank

Back in the days before the internet, even before radio and television information was published in newspapers without verification. People trusted that if it had been written down and published, it was the truth and once one paper published it, papers across the country felt it was their right and duty to also publish it. So it was from the front page of the October 8th, 1903, Evening Bulletin of Maysville, Kentucky that I learned a resident of Norwich, CT had made an impact in the history of the White House in Washington, DC during the Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt.

With a keystroke search I located a John Decker in the 1870 and 1880 census and in the 1897, 1898 and 1900 Norwich City Directories. In 1870 there was an 11 year old John M living with a 47 year old Fred, a 45 year old Mary F, a 15 year old Charles and a 13 year old Henry M. In 1880 the census shows a divorced Marianne as a head of household, Henry working as a laborer and John at home. By 1900 according to the Norwich City Directory John Decker had rented a room at 4 Franklin and worked as a mechanic and in the past John had rented a room at the American House while working at Hopkins & Allen Arms Company. Then he disappears from the Norwich records.

ARRESTED IN WHITE HOUSE. Another Crank Makes His Appearance and was sent to the Asylum.
Washington, Oct 8. John Decker, of Norwich, Ct, who evidently is a mechanic, about 44 years of age, entered the White House soon after the doors were opened Wednesday morning. The officials thought, from his actions, that he was a crank and arrested him. He was not armed and made no resistance when placed under arrest. He was turned over to the police authorities. Decker was examined by [Secret Service] officials later in the day, pronounced insane, and was removed to the government asylum.

 But now I have questions! What were his actions? What was his purpose? What had annoyed him so he traveled to Washington? What government asylum was he sent to? How long did he remain there? Was he ever released? Did he die in the asylum? Did he ever return to Norwich? Did his family ever discover what happened to him? Is anybody looking for him?

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Flag-Staff Arizona and Norwich, CT

On occasion it’s not our own history that we have had an impact on. For example the following letter was written by J. H. Fourgee of Norwich, CT and submitted to the Arizona Champion of Flagstaff, Arizona August 30, 1888 where it appeared September 8, 1888.

Editor Arizona Champion,

Thinking that it might be interesting to your readers, to know that the tree which was trimmed for the flag-staff from which your town took its name, was cut down and planted by three [surveyors led by Lt. Beal] of the Boston Colony, April 1876, your humble servant being one of the three who erected the flag-staff, planted a coin with the words. “ In God we Trust” under the butt of the tree. I remember while we were in camp at this place, A bear came out of the woods some distance from where we were. The flag was floating from the staff. One of our party, who had a field glass, saw the bear was much surprised to see the flag and stood for some time viewing the beautiful visitor and then lazily trotted off into the woods again. I have heard of “the lion running from the U.S. flaf” but never a bear. Hoping your town will grow and blossom as “The Rose of New England.” – I am fraternally yours, J. H. Fourgee

Not all of a residents history takes place at home. Sometimes a residents history takes place elsewhere and needs to be brought back as it is a part of our history too.

According to Fast Facts – Flagstaff derived its name from a flag-raising ceremony held on the Fourth of July in 1876. Boston travelers chose a tall pine, trimmed its branches from the bottom up and attached a flag to the top in of observance of the nation’s centennial.

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Mrs. “Diamond” Johnson

Victorian Norwich was nothing if not full of scandal. The Johnson family was well known for being flamboyant making certain everyone was aware of their wealth by wearing or carrying valuable gems, mostly diamonds and then losing them, accusing others of stealing them, or creating a great fuss about their locations being changed after a visit by a friend, or a new staff member. Mrs. Edwin Johnson was so well-known for these antics that she was often referred to as Mrs. “Diamond” Johnson in the society pages of the newspapers.   But there was no question that the papers took some enjoyment to their reporting too.

According to page 2 of the May 31, 1893 Anaconda Standard 11-year-old  newsboy Johnnie Walsh,of New London city found a pair of diamond earrings. Not knowing the value of his find he carelessly put them in his pocket and showed them to his mother when be reached home, who fainted when she saw them. The next day an advertisement offered S2,000 for their return  and so Johnnie, accompanied by his mother and Dr. Harris of that city returned the earrings to Mrs. Johnson of Norwich. Ct. and received the $2,000 reward.

The marriage was having some problems and Mrs. Johnson wanted to return to her childhood home in Chicago. Mr. Johnson wanted to stay in Norwich. From the Society page 6 of the March 21st 1895, Washington Times.

DIAMONDS FOR THE COACHMAN.
Conservator Appointed for Mrs. Johnson,
But She Skipped With the Cash.
Norwich, Ct., March 20. Dr. Patrick Cassidy was today appointed conservator of the property of Mrs. “Diamond” Johnson as the result of proceedings instituted by the latter’s husband. Mr. Johnson alleged that his wife had  given diamonds of great value to her coachman and had otherwise shown herself incapable of managing her affairs. Mrs. Johnson anticipated the appointment of the conservator, and disappeared from the city, and it is believed she has left the State. She took with her $13,000 in bank notes and $7,000 in bonds.

Then with help from her parents, children, and friends and officers of the court and promises of being remembered at her passing she lived a life of comfort in Chicago until 1932. Though not everyone was remembered.

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Sneaking into the future

I am getting a kick out of the selection of Norwich history walks. I would like to see a walk to the future of Norwich. So I present this idea of merging a bit of history, with a present day walk and activity so that there can be a step into the future.  

From the past I present information from Focus on T.R.U.E. Test Allergens #19 and #22 — Mercaptobenzothiazole and Mercapto Mix, Volume: 14, September 15 2006, Issue 9_2006 By Sharon E. Jacob, M.D., and Cheryl Nelson, B.S.

In 1832, Wait Webster was the first to patent a process connecting rubber soles to shoes and boots for durability and traction. In 1867 this innovation was implemented in a croquet shoe, introduced by Candee Rubber Co. of Norwich, CT. (Norwich CT is also listed as the home of modern day croquet. See Croquet By Steve Boga  page 2.)The novel shoe had a rubber sole and lightweight canvas uppers and was considered a luxury item of the rich and famous. Movement in the shoes was so noiseless on most surfaces that they became popular among sneak thieves, and so the shoes became known as “sneakers”.

So does anyone else think it would be fun to merge the three – walks, sneakers and croquet into a single event one Saturday or Sunday in Norwich? Invite a few different sneaker companies to come to Norwich for a day of stories, presentations (what is new, proper fit etc.) fitness, fun and perhaps a bit of measuring, fitting and shopping for sneakers.

Decide on a date and place and send out invitations to manufacturers and shoe stores to bring their wares for display and sale. Maybe have a special tour for those interested in renting retail or manufacturing/distribution space. I am pretty certain there are some places available in the city.

 As with any event there are a number of technicalities to be worked out but what about this basic idea? Is this an event the Norwich Walks Committee, the Norwich Historical Society, the Norwich marketing representatives, the Norwich Realtors and local and area residents should be working on in an effort to bring new people and business to Norwich.

 Email your comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com.