DARWIN D. MARTIN 1921 Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
PMSS Board of Trustees
Darwin D. Martin, Trustee
1921 Board Correspondence

Larkin Administration Building, 1906. Wikipedia, Public Domain. [LarkinAdministrationBuilding1906.jpg]

TAGS: Darwin D. Martin correspondence, PMSS Board of Trustees, BOT, 1921, Governance, Larkin Soap Company, Ethel de Long Zande, dogs, the Winners case, J.C. Manee, bookkeeping, Mr. Meldrum, Mr. Mansell, auditors, ordering supplies from Larkin, Co.

DARWIN D. MARTIN 1921 Board Correspondence

When Darwin D. Martin agreed to become a member of the Board of Trustees at Pine Mountain, Kentucky, he took on the responsibility with, seemingly, an enthusiasm equal to his outstanding engagement as a leading executive with the Larkin Company in Buffalo, New York. The two locations may seem worlds apart, but in the mind of Martin, they filled the needs of head, heart and hand. His multiple talents as a well-seasoned executive were pivotal in preparing the mountain school in Eastern Kentucky to join the mainstream of industrial energy and wealth spilling into the nation and into the coal-fields of Appalachia. His contacts and his personal diplomacy came at just the right time for the Settlement School. While the two worlds, the urban and the rural, seem light-years apart, for Martin they balanced and integrated a life-style that was deeply integrated in the mind and heart of Martin. Unlike, many of the “takers” of the Roaring ’20s, Martin was a model of the “giver.”

Darwin D. Martin’s aesthetics was part of his balanced life. He embraced and represented the warm but waning ethos of the Arts and Crafts movement and the sharp edge of the growing Art Deco Movement. His tastes were eclectic but his management style and his professional relationships were focused and informed by his early hard-scrabble life and his devotion to family — an ethos that sat at the heart of his life and his giving.

The rapid advancement of Martin with Larkin Company can be read in his skillful ability to move through rapid change and new methods and tools of progress — and, importantly, how to anticipate change at all levels of society. His executive style worked with a variety of people. His sensitive and smart leadership — and his money — quickly brought him into a leadership role with the Pine Mountain Settlement School Board of Trustees. The staff, largely comprised of women, was progressive, adventurous, and dedicated to bringing poor communities into the swiftly changing “Between the Wars” culture.

In his work and his friendships at the School, he was admired for, not only his generosity, but his even-handed respect for all those around him. His temperament served the School BOT well. In many ways, Martin was born at the right time. The era between the World Wars was dynamic, optimistic, and super-charged with ideas. Change was a hallmark of the era between the two wars but stability was also a much sought-after attribute. Optimism dominated the landscape at the remote institution in the mountains and also in the dynamic life of the city of Buffalo. Through the succeeding years of his affiliation and leadership of nearly ten years on the Board of Trustees, Martin left a remarkable model of governance and personal navigation — not that the two are necessarily separate. -HW

Summaries: DARWIN D. MARTIN Correspondence 1921

[Note: Letters from PMSS staff in the PMSS Collections are carbon copies, typewritten, unsigned, and meant for the Office files. The original signed documents were sent to the correspondents. The initials at the bottom left of most PMSS letters indicate the writer (along with initials of the secretary). For example, “EZ” are the initials for Ethel de Long Zande.. Letters from Darwin D. Martin are typewritten originals on the Larkin Company letterhead. The following list of contents is in chronological order and not necessarily in the order of the image numbers.]

FEBRUARY

001-001a February 17, 1921. Two-page letter on Larkin Company letterhead to Ethel de Long Zande from Darwin D. Martin, 001 with recommendations from his friend, William J. Rea, of the Buffalo Potter, who is a dog fancier. Rea reports that “the Dalmatian hound is what you want” and Martin describes the dog. He asks if she has received the watchman’s clock from Mr. Renshaw. He suggests that Zande write to Dr. Thomas D. Buck of Rochester, NY, who breeds Dalmations, “and ask him for a gift of one or two puppies.” 001a Martin sends Zande two copies of the publication “Dogdom,” which contains an ad selling Newfoundland puppies. He mentions the trial outcome for Dr. Winnes; mentions Marion Harland (Mrs. Terhune) in NYC. He is sending “a Captain Kidd story.”

002-002a February 26, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande, who is grateful for his “careful investigation of the dog subject.” She will write to Dr. Buck. She prefers a Dalmatian hound. She writes about the ongoing “Winnes case.” Mr. [J.C.] Manee may visit Martin and tell him “the whole story” and will meet with Mr. Byrd, and Mr. [C.N.] Manning. If necessary, he is to consult Father Lord and Zande to determine the next step.

MARCH

003 March 9, 1921. To Martin from Zande, who writes about her efforts to find a dog.

004-004a March 25, 1921. Two-page letter to Zande from Martin, 004 who has met with Manee and received from him two books stenographer’s notes of the examination trial involving Mr. Winnes. He has read the notes and is sending them to Mr. Daniel M. Lord along with a copy of this letter. He then gives his observations concerning the evidence presented at the trial. 004a Martin tells of Manee’s fear of how the outcome of the trial would affect PMSS’s reputation. Mr. Heath suggests placing an article in a popular magazine that would be “an attempt at rehabilitation of public opinion favorable to the School….” Manee and Martin provide names of several possible contacts. Martin adds a postscript concerning a Dalmatian puppy that he can show Miss [Evelyn] Wells.

APRIL

005 April 4, 1921. To Martin from Zande, writing about the ongoing trial. She then writes that Miss [Ruth] Dennis is eager to have the Dalmatian puppy and gives shipping instructions. Mentions “Spike,” Mr. Ray’s dog.

006 April 20, 1921. To Martin from Zande, thanking him for his $100 donation. She reports “that the Winnes’ case was dismissed” and describes the School’s response.

MAY

007 May 3, 1921. To Martin from Zande, who is glad he met Miss Wells, Miss [Marguerite] Butler and Miss Brewster may also visit him. She thanks him for the Cream of Peanut Soup recipe, a favorite at the School, mentions a fundraising letter and leaflet, and is interested in Martin’s Columbia student’s letter.

009-009a May 11, 1921. To Zande from Martin, thanking her for sending the leaflet, “For the Sake of Learning.” He describes the dog Ebenezer’s activities and explains the origin of his name. He encloses a clipped ad for battery cells. [Handwritten notation in top margin; “EZ – Want to save Ebenezer’s history for inquiring friends? MSM”]

008 May 19, 1921. To Martin from Zande, who writes about the dog, “Ebenezer.” She reports that the School has enough donations to complete the Infirmary and pay some bills, due to the “Easter letter.” She finds “inspiration” from the letters that accompany the donations….”an expression of people’s dearest emotions.”

JUNE

010 June 7, 1921. To Martin from Zande, sending the School’s new bookkeeping system to him for his advice. Mr. Manee suggests that an auditor from Martin’s organization could look at it and also audit the School’s books at the end of the year. Mr. Meldrum was the School’s previous bookkeeper/auditor.

014a June 8, 1921. A government-issued enclosure in Martin’s June 13th letter: “United States of America Five and Three-quarters Per Cent Treasury Notes.” from A.W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury.

012 June 10, 1921. To Martin from Zande, asking him to help fill out an order for the boys’ khaki knee-pants. “Of course, these trousers are being paid for by the boys themselves, and they want something inexpensive.”

014 June 13, 1921. To Zande from Martin, who gives investment advice to her.

013 June 21, 1921. To Martin from Zande, sending him the sizes of the knee-pants. She asks about 87-1/2-cent knickerbocker.

011-011a June 28, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande. who thanks Martin for his report on the School’s bookkeeping system. Mr. Manee found an auditor for the School in Cincinnati: Mr. Mansell, who also approved of the new bookkeeping system. On August 1, he will visit PMSS and check out the system while it’s running and will be able to make an annual trip afterward. Zande explains why the School didn’t use Martin’s CPA.

015 June 29, 1921. To Martin from Zande, ordering a gray and white striped awning for a casement window.

JULY

016-016a July 1, 1921. Two-page letter to Zande from Martin, explaining why Mr. Manee’s bookkeeping system is “better adapted to your requirements than one dashed off by Mr. Becker.” He suggests that the School finds a CPA located closer to the School. A vet confirmed that Ebenezer the dog is deaf, so he will be sent back.

017 July 11, 1921. To Martin from [truncated, apparently Zande], who agrees to two dogs; Ebenezer wouldn’t be happy at PMSS anyway because “each house has a cat to keep rats and mice away.” She hopes Martin will be able to attend the upcoming board meeting. She thanks him for the clipping about Mr. Seiberling, who has a home in his name in Akron that Wells has visited and called it “a perfect marvel of a place.” If she and Luigi [Zande] go to the Adirondacks in August, they may stop by to visit Martin.

018 July 20, 1921. To Martin from Zande, asking if he can find eight mirrors for the infirmary.

AUGUST

019-019a August 4, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande, asking if he knows anyone in Chicago who would give Mr. Manee a position when he leaves PMSS. He will be attending courses at La Salle. She describes Mr. Manee’s work at keeping PMSS books. She asks Martin for “the other two thousand dollars for the road that you pledged,” as they are running out of funds and must collect pledges. She tells about their efforts to “secure the necessary legal authority for the appropriation of State funds. She thanks Martin “for letting us add the cost of the [boys’] shirts and pants to your contribution.”

020 August 9, 1921. To Martin from Zande, ordering “four dozen dressing combs…to sell to the children.”

021 August 12, 1921. To Zande from Martin, who is sending 59 combs. He lists the cost for each type of comb. [Handwritten notation in top margin: “Middleton, Dog, Typewriter, Filing cases, Bradley & Oleatt.”]

022 August 24, 1921. To Martin from Zande, asking about his progress is obtaining the Dalmatians. The School needs a dog “to go about with Miss Butler for we cannot but be uneasy for anybody who is out on horseback so constantly.” She also asks for a typewriter (Underwood N. 5 with elite type) and office supplies, such as a steel letter-file with a lock. She and Luigi will travel to Blue Mountain Lake in September. She asks if he can recommend a good dentist in Buffalo.

023 August 25, 1921. To Martin from Zande, asking if he can recommend “a rat exterminator that is used by firms in cities….”

024 August 31, 1921. To Martin from Zande, ordering shoes “for the children to pay for.” She and Luigi will be in Buffalo on Sunday and she hopes to pay Martin a visit.

025-025a [No date; 025 handwritten list of names under the headings “Shoes” and 025a “Boys’ House Shoe list.”

026 August 31, 1921. To Zande from Martin, welcoming her and Mr. Zande to his home.

SEPTEMBER

027 September 19, 1921. To Martin from Evelyn K. Wells, PMSS Secretary, thanking him for sending eight mirrors without charge.

028 September 27, 1921. To Pine Mountain Settlement School, Inc., from Martin. He is sending by express a dog named Franklin.

029 September 30, 1921. To Martin from [No signature, possibly Wells], reporting “that Mrs Zande was taken quite ill in New York, and had to stay there about ten days to recuperate.” She instructs Martin on the best way to send the dog by way of Baxter, where a good friend Mr. Murph Samuels, will care for him until he is taken to PMSS by a “team boy.” She thanks him for sending a typewriter. She mentions that the “little girls” want to invite to PMSS Mrs. Storrow of Boston, leader in the Girl Scout movement.

OCTOBER

030 October 7, 1921. To Mr. Samuels in Baxter, KY, from Zande, asking him to keep a dog sent by Mr. John Butler of Cincinnati, until a team boy can take the dog to PMSS.

031-031a October 7, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande, 031 mentioning that the School has a total of 40 workers. She describes the itinerary for shipping “Franklin” the dog to PMSS via Mr. Butler (Marguerite Butler’s father), then to Mr. Samuels in Baxter, KY. Zande orders blankets for 14 beds in the Infirmary, two dozen “dimity counterpanes,” and feather pillows for the workers’ beds. 031a Zande has received the wrong typewriter and explains the need for a No. 5 machine. She’s returning the typewriter because its carriage is out of order. “The road is within 1200 feet of the top of the mountain….” and explains why the road needs to get to the top before camp is called in on October 15.

032-032a October 7, 1921. Two-page letter to Wells from Martin, who reports that the dog and items she has ordered are on their way. He is sending her two copies of the article “Neglected Children of Appalachia” from American Child, a publication of the National Child Labor Committee. He sends a quote from the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry concerning “The Destruction of Rats by Chemical Means.”
032b [Enclosure] Copy of a letter To Zande in Quebec from Martin. He gives her updates on the various items she as ordered: typewriter, steel filing cabinet, perfume containers (with art work by Mr. Puffer), a carboy, Bergamot cans, a civet horn, electric fans.

037 October 7, 1921. To Zande from Martin, who instructs her to send a letter, booklet, and a list of silver to Oneida Community Ltd., Oneida, NY, with a mention of his name. He is not sure that the company’s president and vice president will respond with a favorable offer, “in these times…but if anything will bring it your letter will.” He needs more information about “thermometer trays” that PMSS has ordered.

033 October 10, 1921. To Zande from Martin, commenting on her return to health and PMSS. He tells of progress in getting blankets, counterpanes, pillows, and a typewriter for the School, with references to the Larkin Co. catalog. He asks about getting help from the community to get the road, in the form of a trail, to the top of the mountain, if the camp closes too soon to finish the road.

034 October 12, 1921. Copy of an order to The Larkin Co. for Infirmary items from Zande and Miss [Maya] Sudo.

035 October 13, 1921. To Martin from Zande, who comments on the orders for a typewriter, blankets, and pillows. The upcoming board meeting will have a new addition, Mr. Presley Atkins, editor of the Pineville Sun, when the board votes for him.

036 October 15, 1921. To Pine Mountain Settlement School from Martin. He presumes the dog he sent for Miss Butler is in Baxter, en route to PMSS. He gives a change of address for Mr. Edward May in NYC, who may be a PMSS donor.

039 October 18, 1921. To Zande from Martin, who is shipping 24 pairs of cotton/wool blankets at $4.00 per pair to PMSS. He is also sending “two dozen crinkled bedspreads” from the New York office. “This is Mr. Kirby’s best interpretation of your request for ‘Dimity Counterpanes.” [Handwritten notation in bottom margin: “Both lots by freight.”]

038-038a October 19, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande, describing the Board meeting and activities, such as visiting the settlements, and watching a Robin Hood play. She encloses the minutes. “…[W]e handed around copies of the balance sheet of June 30, showing the present valuation of the school as $140,701.00 and the budget for next year as $50,000.” He regrets that his policy on not expanding the School at this time was not upheld by the Board. He outlines the reasons he felt the school should not expand. Although Manning does not agree, he may change his mind after a fuller explanation of Martin’s suggested policy. 038a She asks for a supply of “unbleached muslin at any better price than 11 1/2 cents….” Zande then describes the new board member, Mr. Presley Atkins.

040 October 21, 1921. To Martn from Zande, expressing appreciation of the low prices that Martin is charging for her orders. She tells him how the School is using the contents of “boxes from your bargain department” that he has sent.

NOVEMBER

041 November 10, 1921. To Pine Mountain Settlement School from Martin, asking if he should buy a rebuilt typewriter for $65.00 for the School. [Handwritten notation in bottom margin: “What think of Cobb’s toadying?”]

042 November 14, 1921. To Martin from Zande, reluctantly telling him to buy the typewriter, as “we cannot get along without another typewriter.” She asks that it is inspected by an expert before it is shipped. She writes about the status of other orders. She will read Cobb’s article and “let you know what I think of his toadying.”

043-043a November 23, 1921. Two-page letter to Martin from Zande, informing him of the status of various orders and how the ones that have arrived are being used. She sadly tells him that the dog “Franklin” is deaf and asks whether to return him or “have him shot.” She asks his opinion about arming Miss Butler and Dr. [Grace] Huse with pistols when on “long trips through the country alone.”

044 November 28, 1921. To Zande from Martin, updating her on her orders for shoes, overshoes, civet horn, geranium container, rubber sheeting, ice caps, and hot water bottles. He advises her on what to do with the dog and arming women with a pistol when they go out alone.

DECEMBER

045 December 6, 1921. To Martin from Zande, describing the dog’s timid behavior due to his deafness. “We have come to the conclusion that Miss Butler and Dr. Huse should have pistols. The mountain women are all carrying them.”

046 December 16, 1921. To Martin from Zande, thanking him for providing shoes for the children. She asks if he will “take up with the Community Silver people the question of setting a price for silver for us.”