August 30, 1916 - But for the timely interference of a constable, there would have been a lynching bee.

Here is a very long letter that Joe wrote. As you can see it started on August 28 and finally finished two days later. It has some content that I found shocking as I read it. I needed to put it into perspective with the time that it was written and also note these were stories that were recounted by an 85 year old man that Joe me. I have left the language as it was.

August 28, 1916
Helen dear,
Going to Shelton on the car early this morning, having arrived here too late last night to get home, I met an old gentleman, whom I have known for several years platonically, as it were. That is, I have met him countless times, so that we speak to each other, and tho he knows my name, I am totally ignorant of his. He wont state his age, but I learned that he was only 10 when the Civil War broke out, so judge for yourself.

Well in passing, I cannot help but refer to the "well" that you have perchanced seen in the few letters that I have penned. Did you ever read "Acres of Diamonds?" If so you recall what a wonderful story Dr. Conwell painted in words. Many a time and oft have I read it, and you can perhaps realize the thrill that went through me(and it had some distance to go, you'll admit) when I found that I was to hear him recite it.
Of course I re-read it again, and knew it fairly well. One paragraph begins " Well, we etc." I was amazed to learn that he not only recites it by heart,  word for word, but in a most refreshing manner, and how emphatic and restful he was when he said "Well, we etc," pausing at "well." The word means so much now, that I have learned to use it, with effect - to myself - at least. It helps to change the thought without being too abrupt.

Well, in reading the morning paper he and I read a certain man here who claims he is the oldest voter - first voting in 1850. How fortunate suffrage was unknown then; for even if known, where, oh where, would one of the fairer sex insist the she was the oldest voter etc. etc. ad finitem?
At any rate, the man I was with knew this relative of Methuselah and so began to reminisce. And while on the subject of wells, I might add I pumped my friend for information. He was so interesting that if I started to tell all the stories he related, it would require that the letter be sent by freight.
You will notice that this is dated yesterday, and I actually got to this point where I received good news, that also necessitated my stopping writing temporarily.

My brother completed a transaction that he had been working on for some time, and we were glad that it was satisfactorily consummated.

To get back to the point I started with. This old gentleman said he recalled peculiar incidents of Civil War days. You have read history and know about rebellion. This man actually recalls things they wont put in print.

For example in a certain town around here, one of the papers was democratic. He states that the Democrats were "Pro Slavery." As a matter of fact (see "Buffalo Jones in Pig Pen Pete") the Republican party was born in Bloomington Ill. about 1856, and Abe was a staunch Anti-slavery leader. This paper following it s principles, printed an article frowning the South, secession and slavery. This man and a few of his friends got a yoke of oxen and a truck, went to the printery and took their press (of course a small one in those days) dragged it to the dock and as he says " we chucked it overboard, by gosh."

So, he says at that time the First Mass. regiment passed through here en route for Richmond. They were a happy yet sorry looking lot. Every mother's son from the rock bound coast thought the was a joke. In fact the whole North, in the beginning thought it a trifle and that it would be over in a few weeks. These farmer boys had no guns or ammunition of any kind. It was "so gal durn funny, now as I think of it," he said, to see those boys with pitchforks, shovels, rakes, and rope. They expected to go to Richmond storm it with there pitchforks, hang Jefferson Davis with the rope, and end the war in a blaze of glory. History never told us of such incidents. It took the North a couple of years to get prepared, but the tide turned at Gettysburg in 1863.

He told another story immediately after the war. He was in his store one morning and a fellow came in and said "Abe was shot last night." It took that long for news to travel. They all knew Lincoln as "Abe" then, just as we know another by the name of "Teddy." A democrat of pro-slavery tendencies, and one known as "copperhead" who was present then, with an epithet said "it served hi right; he should have kept the niggers where they belong."

Spontaneously several men grabbed him and before you could say "Premyzl" a rope was on his neck, and but for the timely interference of a constable, there would have been a lynching bee.
He told so many fine stories, really, that it would take hours to relate them; but I will not continue now.

I was glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself so much. It's fine that you have such good music and dancing and swimming. And while you were singing, we've done some rowing down here, as the enclosed clipping will show.

The railroad situation is terrible. If there is a strike Monday, as has been decreed, according to the papers, how will I ever return from Camp? Go on and laugh, and say, I ought to stay up till Friday, but it's no joke. Still I am going up Saturday on a chance when I can return.

I have cancelled my auto trip to Poland Springs Maine, so that is out of the way.
Yesterday I had a party (5) of friends from Baltimore here en route from the White Mountains, and they spent a pleasant afternoon here looking over our industrial activities.

I have been trying to arrange to get away early on Saturday,  but it doesn't look very optimistic for I'd heave to leave Friday night in order to catch the early train.
You've but a few more days of camping, so make the most of it. Your letters indicate that you are.

The weather here is so cool, that I am thinking of carrying my sweater to camp Saturday. But it's clear and crisp, and that's so comfortable.

Did I tell you that the cat had a litter of five kittens. My mother expects to train them, and I've suggested that she run a little circus or a sketch "Chat Noir."

Your,
Joe

Here is the article that Joe sent in the letter.

SHAPIROS AND ROSEN BUY SEVEN HOUSES
Seven houses on William street have been purchased from David N. Armstrong by Dr. Maurice Rosen and Atttorneys Shapiro and Shapiro. They will be remodeled to conform with the Los Angeles plan. This plan, popular in New York and California, calls for apartments of three rooms only. These rooms will be fitted up with sliding beds and other similar space saving conveniences.
The houses were built a number of years ago by Frank Armstrong, of the Armstrong Manufacturing com­pany. They are on the site of the old Armstrong farm, and have been occupied, in years by some of Bridge­port's prominent families.



The next letter will be September 3.