February 1, 1914 - Personal Tax Bill

Having just paid the second installment of our property taxes yesterday this is comical to me. I spend lots time figuring out where I will pull the money from and how I will make it happen again. I manage to do this twice a year and am amazed every time. Coming across this receipt in Joe's papers was quite comical.

I do not know what he was paying taxes on but I did look up the street address which is Fairmont Place in Shelton, CT and that street still exists and it is a short walk to Howe Avenue where he went to pay the taxes.

The next post will be a short newspaper article on February 13.

January 30, 1914 - Havrilla Dies in State Insane Hospital

Here is an article from January 27, 1914 that was in "The Farmer". This was a newspaper in Connecticut but I can not find where it was printed. This article is about the an event that occurred due to the textile strikes in Shelton in 1914. Quite a bizarre article.

HAVRILLA DIES IN STATE INSANE HOSPITAL; PINTO
IS HELD WITHOUT BONDS
   
His Death Is Second To Be Laid
Directly To Disturbances In The Big
Textile Strike In Shelton -- Stone
Grazes Babe's Head

(Special to The Farmer.)
Shelton, Jan. 27—Alex Havrilla, the farmhand brutally beaten on the night of Monday, Jan. 12, by Frank Pinto, a local bartender, died at the State Hospital for Insane at Middletown, just before noon, today.

Pinto, who was in the Fairfield County jail at Bridgeport in default of bail of $5,000, is now held without bail pending the outcome of the inquest to be held either today or tomorrow at Middletown. As soon as word reached Shelton, Chief Robbins of the Shelton police communicated with Joseph Shapiro, prosecuting attorney in the Shelton court, Shapiro notified the County jail officials to accept no bond for Pinto. Efforts to raise the necessary bail for his release have been under way for several days.

Havrilla's death is the second which may be attributed directly to the strike in the Blumenthal mills, which is now in it's llth week. The first was that of a tiny baby, one of twins of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Homick. The parents were dragged from their home by police officers and mill guards, and were beaten and arrested. The children were left home with none to care for them, and with the cold air sweeping through the door and windows, broken by the police the baby died two days afterward.

Havrilla came to Shelton while on the way from a farm in Orange to visit a former employer in Hartford. He was walking through Howe Avenue, near Louis Pinto's saloon when a stone was flung through the open door. Frank Pinto rushed out with a pool cue. Kemp, one of the mill guards who was in the saloon is alleged to have pointed out Havrilla as the stone thrower, several bystanders at once declared he was wrong for four youths who had taken part in the stone throwing had fled before the two got out of the saloon.

Pinto shattered the pool cue on Havrilla's skull, and inflicted cuts and bruises galore. Then the O'Brien guards dragged the bruised and bleeding victim into Pinto's saloon, called in a deputy sheriff and caused his arrest. The exposure of the outrage through the columns of The Farmer led to Pinto's apprehension. Pinto is planning to contend that the insanity of Havrilla, which the prosecution regards as due to the beating, prevailed before he got his beating. The Shelton police allowed Kemp to get out of their jurisdiction and now cannot locate him.

The committee of citizens raised at the borough meeting last week to seek an end of the strike presented a written report of their doings to a committee representing the strikers this afternoon. The borough committee comprises Judge Dillon, Sam Beardsley, Postmaster Holmes, John Preston and Warden Barlow. They spent some time with Fritz Stolzenberg, superintendent of the Blumenthal mills, this forenoon. They have been given to understand that Stolzenberg's will, in the strike situation, will prevail, Sidney Blumenthal, head of the concern, having left the matter in his hands. This afternoon the borough committee meet the strikers' committee in the city hall, and the latter committee will convey their report to the meeting of the L W. W. local tonight or tomorrow morning. The strikers' committee comprises Albert Stancek, J. Rosco, J. Jacobson, John Rose, Peter Zamba, Victoria Felencek, and P. Mario.

Policeman John Donovan's eight month old baby had a close call from death Sunday night when a stone weighing several pounds crashed through his window, and struck the crib at the child's head. The metal of the crib was dented, but the child was unscathed. Donovan rushed to the window and fired his pistol into the dark.

Another complaint a of brutality against the mill guards came this noon. Abraham Optozner, a baker, crossed the canal near the Blumenthal plant, to see some of his trade, when a mill guard, he avers, set on him and beat him claiming he had no right there. He left his bakery wagon in the street and rushed to the office of Chief Robbins demanding redress. He said he had been knocked down and kicked. Followed by several dozens, he and the chief went to the plant, where the baker made a futile search for the guard. When he returned to where he had left his horse and wagon, the rig had vanished, and up to today he hadn't succeeded in finding it.



Next post will be February 1.

January 29, 1914 - Meyer's First Yartzeit

One year ago Joe sent the news to Helen that his brother Meyer died suddenly at the young age of 24. That letter can be found on January 28, 1913. That would make this the first yartzeit (Yiddish word for the anniversary of the death of a close relative, on which it is customary to kindle a light and recite the Kaddish) for Meyer. While going through a box of pictures I found this photograph of the headstone in the cemetery. The Hebrew translation on the stone is:

Here Lies:

Meyer Mendl

Son of Dov Ber

He died on the 21^st of Shevet, 5673

(small letters above his name is an acronym that means:)

May His Soul Be Bound Up In Everlasting Life

MEYER MERWIN
SHAPIRO
BORN JAN. 1, 1889
DIED JAN. 29, 1913

Interestingly, Joe wrote Helen on January 28, 1913 about Meyer's passing and the headstone says January 29, 1913. I now believe the discrepancy in dates came about because Meyer most likely died after midnight. In his haste to write Helen he put the date on the letter not thinking about the time. The postmark date is January 29th in the morning.

The grave is in East Haven, CT and I plan on making a trip to that cemetery in the Spring. The site that had this information also indicates that he is in the same cemetery as his father, Barnet Shapiro, my great grandfather.

I will be posting an article that I found tomorrow January 30.
 

January 11, 1914 - "Lei m'intende?"

This year starts with a short note to set up a possible date to attend "La Boheme". His humor, as always, is intact. His ability to remember the lyrics almost  perfectly is a testament to his mind.

Sunday morning
Dear Helen,
Just as I was about to leave for Waterbury I read in the World that on Saturday night, there will be a special performance of La Boheme.

Could I ask you to order two seats like those in Madame Butterfly.

The machine is honking for me; so thought I'd write before it slipped my cabeza.*

If you can't go, why just cancel this request. I know it will give you an opportunity to hear that

"Mi chiamano Mimì, ma il mio nome è Lucia.La storia mia è breve. Sono tranquilla e lieta ed è mio svago far gigli e rose."**

 That is as near as I can recall it, spelled as it listens.
"Lei m'intende?" (Do you hear me?)
Si
Sincerely,
Joe

* Cabeza is head in Spanish.

** "Yes, they call me Mimi, but my true name is Lucia.My story is short. ... I am happy and at peace and my pastime is to make lilies and roses."

If you would like to hear the aria that he is quoting, here is a link to "Si Mi Chiamano"

The next letter will be on April 25. I suspect that letters were lost over time. I will be filling in with family information and newspaper articles.

December 31, 1913 - Attorney Shapiro Advised Business Men

Here is one of the articles that I found from today in 1913.

Ansonia Sentential Dec. 31, 1913

EXPLAINED  NEW MEASURE.

Attorney Shapiro Advised Business Men Concerning, Compensation Act

The members of the Shelton Business Men's association and several of their friends were treated to a fine exposition of the new Workingmen's compensation act and their privileges and liabilities under that act, last evening, by Attorney Joseph Shapiro, prosecutor in the local court, and so well pleased were they with the explanation given them that they gave a unanimous vote of thanks to the speaker at the conclusion of his talk. He was introduced to the audience by Pres. D. N. Clark and said he wished to talk to them as though they were all in one as his client and he was advising them over his office desk.

He said that an act simple in itself soon became complex when a multitude of learned men get at it and read into it their opinions. He had refrained from listening to any of the various addresses given on the subject and tried to study out the real meaning of the statutes. He gave a brief history of New England legislation showing how in a number of cases privileges that had apparently been guaranteed people by the constitution have been abrogated. This is done by the use of what is known as the police function of the community. He told of several of these such as the Married Woman act of 1877 and other changes that have been from time to time made along similar lines. It is through this police function that the present act is declared constitutional, as people have realized that the "Fellow Servant" act; the "Contributory Negligence" clause I and the "Assumed Risk" defence have become out of date with the vast changes in industrial conditions. There is moreover a "Joker" in the act itself that specifies that should any one or more portions of the act be pronounced unconstitutional the rest of the act shall apply.

He then took up the act itself and very plainly told its provisions and what should be done by all employers of labor. He commented on the opinion of Attorney General Light, which he says stands unless overturned by the courts and he advised all employers of labor to heed this.  This is, that those who employ less than five must, if they wish to preserve their present privileges notify each of their employees of that fact and also the commissioner of compensation. He took up the act section by section and explained the provisions in such a manner as to make them perfectly plain, or as plain as the act itself permits. He answered several questions asked by Judge Dillon, O G. Beard and others and produced a number of blanks to be used by employers of less than five.

At the close of his talk Pres. Clark arose and said that he wished all who had heard Prof. Fisher might have heard the talk of Attorney Shapiro, the contrast was so great between the two, and asked that all  feeling thus would rise and extend a vote of thanks to the speaker. It was made unanimous and after a brief social session, the meeting was adjourned.


I look forward to continuing our journey together into 1914. Happy New Year!

December 26, 1913 - The best laid schemes of mice and men . . .

One year ago I was busy working to set up this blog and excited to launch the beginning of a five year journey with Joe and Helen. These letters have been filled with more surprises that I had expected.

Here is the last letter from 1913. Since most of the letters were written from his office in the Meig's Building I thought it would be fun to show you a photograph of that building at about that time.

December 26, 1913
Dear Helen,

I have several matters to take care of in the city tomorrow that will keep me there; and so will not be in New York.

I have a deposition to take in the city on Monday, but have court engagements all next week except Thursday.

From this you can easily understand I will be unable to get down to New York on Friday or Saturday; and so will have to call off my opportunity of witnessing the musitrel and also "Butterfly".

Things at present point to my going to Charleston S.C. on January 4th; so if I have any spare time, I'll have to use it getting matters in shape to leave for a couple of days.

Saltman is in New York and fairly begged me to go along as he is to be there three or four days; but the fates are "agin it" (Remember Hubbard?).

But doesn't this illustrate quite apropos that

"The best laid schemes of mice and men Gang oft aglee"*?

Some of my Bridgeport friends in New York at present, who were here for diner yesterday, have extended me an invitation to take in the opera next week.

Sometimes you can't get a seat for $10; at other times you can't use them even if given to you. It reminds me that "Some have meat, and we can eat and so the Lord be thank it."**  I have invitations but "can't eat," figuratively speaking only, of course.

I trust that you are enjoying the vacation, and also that your mother is too.
Sincerely,
Joe

* Gang oft aglee - is Scottish for Often go wrong. Quote from a Robert Burns poem (see below).
** Quote from a Robert Burns poem.

I hope you have enjoyed following the blog so far and there is much more to come. Some of the coming year is sparse with letters. I have lots of newspaper articles from 1914 that I will use to fill you in on what was going on in Joe's life. Work was most likely playing a major role as they continued to build their law practice.

The next letter will be on January 11.

December 24, 1913 - Salvation Army bells ringing away, autos honking . . .

It is Christmas Eve in 1913 and Joe's description of the evening sounds in downtown Bridgeport are still very familiar today. Helen and her family had headed out of New York City to the country in New Jersey for the holiday.

December 24, 1913
Dear Helen,
Replying to your third letter, I must say that the anniversary dinner planned for Sunday was called off very abruptly.

When I called home Saturday night, I found my mother all upset, with the appearance of having had a good cry. My sister was in the same mood. Of course, as it was about two in the morning it didn't require much ingenuity to learn or suspect something.

What do you suppose happened? On Friday Barnet's kindergarten had Xmas exercises. He took part and somehow caught cold. On Saturday, while I was absent, it developed into tonsillitis, and during the evening they thought it looked like diphtheria and so all the folks were scared.

D. Rosen worked all night on him and by morning had the throat clean and free from infection; but we didn't dare start anything in the house. That was one reason the affair was called off. Here's another. Mrs. Kronholtz of Stamford was confined to her bed with a severe attack of pleurisy, and naturally her family couldn't get away. Since then Barnet and she have been recovering and are well along the road to normal health.

Last Monday I had "dug out" my old Othello and read it. I remembered having seen Daniel Ryan in the title role and at the time made many marks and remarks on the booklet; that recalled many vivid scenes again as I saw them.

I smiled at the difficulties that you wrote.

And now, as I write this, I can hear the Salvation Army bells ringing away, autos honking, cars clanging, newsies yelling "Wextry*" and a conglomeration of noises that would make Bedlam sound like a lecture in a deaf and dumb institute.

You speak of rain. Why last night it rained cats and dogs! I didn't leave the office till after eleven and had to phone a friend to take me home in his auto.

I don't wonder that you enjoyed the play. Forbes Robertson naturally is the peer in that line, and besides you had excellent company that made the environments all the more pleasant.

I am almost certain that nothing had to distract your attention during the play; for I consider Robert a dandy young man whom anybody could spend a pleasant time. Hartman is another of that type, so I don't wonder that on Sunday you again had a bully time.

You said that Robert was to spend a week end with you; so I think I ought not butt in. And in addition you say that there will not be room at the hotel. Further even, I have a load of work here that will keep me right on the job.

You ought to make the best of your vacation, as you have a long spring term of work ahead.

Tomorrow is Christmas and the spirit of good will ought be manifest everywhere.

I hope that the day is bright and that you enjoy it to your own wishes.

With compliments of the season I am
Sincerely,
Joe

* "Wextry" was Joe's way of trying to sound like the newies when they yelled Extra Extra


 The next letter is on December 26.

Barnard College Sophmore Show

Here is a fun photograph that I found of Helen from November 1913 when she was in the Barnard College Sophomore Show. I also located the mention of it in her graduation yearbook for the Bernard Class of 1916.

Since Barnard was all girls it is funny to see all of the parts are played by girls and not by boys that they might have brought in from Columbia.

If you look carefully at the yearbook page you can see where she underlined her name - the line indicates that she did this when she was quite old and came upon the yearbook.

The next letter will be December 24.

December 2, 1913 - One of the weaker sex . . .

So here we are in December 1913,  almost at the end of the first year of Joe's letters. This month there will be three letters. This letter contains a funny story of a handkerchief.

December 2, 1913
My Dear Helen,
Strange what peculiar co-incidences occur. Last night my brother and his family and Dr. Rosen and I went calling on our minister.There were several more callers there and we had quite a party of it. Later in the evening, the hostess served refreshments, and in spite of the violent protests of Barnet's mother, I partook of my share. She claimed that it was not becoming to be stout. I agreed with her; only I added that stoutness while perhaps not becoming, had apparently come and was  here, so what's the use?

Well, as I started out to say, towards evening (11 or so) we were starting for home. I should say here that I happen to be wearing the same suit last night as Saturday. One of the weaker sex asked me what that black string was, and gave one yank. Out came the glasses and the embroidered edge of something I could not recognize. Of course, being in and from the country, they all in unison saw the same thing that I did! For a moment I couldn't tell where it came from; and then - Eureka!

You surely would have laughed at the fun it started. And of course the women and girls began guessing whose it may be. And the answers. O tempora, o mores! But the most surprising thing was how I should happen to have a girl's handkerchief in my pocket.

When I reminded them that perhaps they were overlooking the fact that it might be my mother's; someone suggested it might be; but it wasn't.  And then and there I made up my mind to re mail it to you in the morning.

And when morning came; your letter mentioned the  kerchief. So you will find it enclosed,unsullied. I was sorry to hear that your cold was so troublesome and was causing you such torture. But it's one of the things that this part of the country is famous for and we have all got to have them once and a while. There is a Yiddish play in town tonight, and I have been asked to review it for one of the papers. My brother, Doctor and I will go and see what's what and I imagine we'll have some sport out of it, at that.

Oh yes! One of my clients  told me yesterday that he, with  several others, were expecting to hear "Tosca" Saturday night because Farrar and Scotti sang the title roles, and asked whether I would be there with them. I replied that I expected to be in New York during the day on business, and had made no definite plans; and also that I had seen Tosca only a few weeks back. Comprenez? (Whatever that is).
Sincerely
Joe

The next letter will be on December 24th.

November 3, 1913 - The Optimist

So far, this is the most difficult letter to transcribe. But it was very creative. So I hope you can follow this 5 part correspondence.

Here is the view that Helen got when she held the letter up to the light.

November 3, 1913
Dear Helen,

1

While in a wholesale grocery house today I saw a little book called "The Optimist". If you hold this up to the light and look via the back of this page you will see what I saw. Then I opened the cover and beheld this - without comment. To be accurate I changed the quote slightly.

2

While on the trolly I was reading the Journal. Gadzooks! And here is what I saw (arrow pointing to article).

3

Everybody here is talking about the bad team Yale has. Everybody has their hammer out, and are not afraid of the sound. For that reason this clipping in this mornings New York American was music to my soul. I remember you asked how a tone could be dark; how colors could be soft. Well, how about hearing with the soul? Has this survival value? On my life - No!

4

I don't know what that impression that remark about the smell of fallen leaves, burning brush etc. conveys to you; but in these parts in the residential localities you can see piles of dark brown, yellow red and green leaves smouldering away,perfuming the air with an incense tinted aroma indescribable.

5

I will be in New Haven tomorrow, and will endeavor to see what arrangements are being made for the Princeton game. The cashier of the Bank today asked me to favor him with two tickets.I replied, says I, "if Yale plays as rotten as it has, you can have mine". But I had not seen this then. Say, what kind of a pout-pouri is this anyway?
Joe

We can think of the departed summer without regret on these glorious autumnal days that smell of fallen leaves, burning brush and roasting chestnuts. Going to the football game next Saturday 15th?

Big Seat Demand for Football Games

Any doubt regarding- the popularity of intercollegiate football is removed by the deluge of applications pouring in upon those in charge of the ticket distribution for the big games of the season.

From present indications the seating capacity of the various fields upon which the Yale-Harvard, Army-Navy, Harvard-Princeton, Pennsylvania-Cornell and Princeton-Yale games will be played will be unequal to the demands already being filed by alumni, undergraduates and their, friends

---

The Yale back field looked particularly good on the offense during the march down the field in the second quarter. The play off tackle and runs were almost irresistible.  Another bright spot in the Yale offense was the splendid kicking of Knowles.
Undoubtedly Yale's kicking will be a big factor in the game with Princeton and Harvard, for given a rush line that can withstand a strong attack arid a good consistent kicker, any team can hold off a much stronger opponent. Yale has plenty of first-class material and with proper handling can round out a team in two weeks that will surprise the football world.

Below is an ad for Campbells's Soup from 1913 that you can see in Joe's letter.

The next letter is on December 2.