DARWN D. MARTIN 1929 Correspondence Part 2

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Board of Trustees
DARWIN D. MARTIN, Trustee
Correspondence 1929 Part 2
June 8 – December 21, 1929

DARWN D. MARTIN 1929 Correspondence pt. 2

Darwin D. Martin, PMSS Trustee. [Darwin_D._Martin_wikipedia_photo.jpg]

TAGS: Darwin D. Martin 1929 correspondence, William Browning, creek straightening, Angela Melville, vocational training, reservoir, Henry Creech, Katherine Pettit, Mary Rockwell Hook, Open House, Zande House furniture, donations from Trustee D.D. Martin, mules, student tests, Kentucky Utilities Company, power line survey, purchasing a diesel engine, fire extinguishers. Luigi Zande, Wisconsin Steel Company, Fairbanks Morse Company, Pierce Butler & Pierce

DARWIN D. MARTIN 1929 Correspondence Part 2

[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 the initials of the secretary). For example, “KP” refers to Katherine Pettit, and “AM” to Angela Melville. Letters from D.D. Martin are typewritten originals on his personal stationery. The following list of contents is in chronological order and not necessarily in the order of the image numbers.]

JUNE

051 June 8, 1929. To Darwin D. Martin, Buffalo, NY, from AM [Angela Melville], thanking him for information regarding Zande House furniture, which will be added to “the books.” Melville will visit Zande House and record the approximate value of the furniture. The value will be less than ”the insurance carried on the furniture which the Zande’s had, as they took away the most valuable pieces which they owned…..[then] I shall ask Mr. Arnspiger, our insurance agent in Lexington, to have a refund made to the school on the three-year payment made on the furniture, which is valued at $2500.00.” Melville thanks Martin for his “general check for construction purposes, which will be applied to Country Cottage alterations, and the closing of Miss [Ruth] Gaines’ porch, and other items.

052 June 10, 1929. To Melville from Martin, asking for Mr. Morrison’s address and vacation time.

053-053a June 14, 1929. Two-page letter to Martin from AM [Melville], having just returned from a visit with Mr. Arthur Allen in Louisville about joining the Board; he recommends Mr. Walter Belkap. She invited both to visit the School. She then describes a visit with Mr. Watt, district manager, Kentucky Utilities Company in Pineville, concerning a survey for a power line for the School. She mentions where Mr. Morrison is currently located. A letter from Mr. Watt to Melville tells of the need for information before he can draw up a contract. “The Kentucky Utilities Company does not want to own our power line; they want us to own it and to operate it.” However, “…what are we to do about the four neighbors who want light?” Melville feels that it would mean trouble if the School sold the power to them. She states the pros and cons of the various ways to handle this. She mentions Henry Creech’s condition, “that he would give the right of way if he could have power.”

054 June 18, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], providing the information about Mr. Morrison that he requested. She asked [Katherine] Pettit for her copy of the Christian Science Monitor for June 7, 1929.

055 June 21, 1929. To Pettit from Martin, stating that the “fencing for goats may be paid for from the construction fund,” if the new Danish farmer is willing and has a place for it.

JULY

056 July 2, 1929. To Miss Gaines from KP [Pettit], asking Gaines’ to provide Mr. Morrison with the heights of two radiators for the Laurel House veranda.

057 July 2, 1929. To Martin from KP [Pettit], enclosing information from Mr. Morrison; Miss Gaines will supply the height of the radiator. Pettit is eager “to know the outcome of your contact with the Kansas City engineers” and what he has decided about the electric light issue. She thanks Martin for the clippings and tells him that Mr. Morrison is busy repairing the PMSS houses.

058 July 16, 1929. To Martin from KP [Pettit], who found the “article on cooperation” interesting. “I have already been doing something along that line for years,” mentioning her work with her church Home Mission Board as an example.

AUGUST

059 August 1, 1929. To Melville from Martin, enclosing an invoice from Pierce Butler & Pierce Manufacturing Co., for a section of Laurel House boiler, costing $64.68.

060-060a August 6, 1929. Two-page letter to Martin from AM [Melville], telling him that, 060 even though Mr. Morrison prefers a horsepower kerosene engine and the Diesel engine to a power line for the School, he feels that a Delco is a better and safer choice rather than a line. “He feels with me [Melville], however, that it is well for us to consider very carefully before we put in high-powered engines to be taken care of by our boys.” Melville then lists answers to Martin’s questions about the number of battery cells for the Delco, the cells’ charging rate, the amperage, and the condition of the Delco. She asks Martin if he can “let the power line rest” for another year. Melville could ask the donors to the power line plant whether their donations could be applied to the Delco for another year. 060a Melville hopes Martin will agree to go slowly and research the issue, such as asking other schools and writing to Mr. [Luigi] Zande. She tells Martin that she has “seen no picture postcards, ‘published by L. Zande’ “ and will ask him about that. In a postscript, she gives the cost of kerosene, and that Miss Anderson paid the Pierce Butler and Pierce bill….”

061 August 13, 1929. To Melville from Vera C. Skinner on Martin’s letterhead, enclosing “receipted Bill of Lading.”

066 August 13, 1929. To Mr. R.E. Samuels, First State Bank, Pineville, KY, from KP [Pettit], clarifying the reasons the reservoir does not need repairs. Martin is seeing to it that suggestions on a list that Mr. Zande left behind are carried out. She suggests that Samuels consult Mr. Welsh, the farm engineer of the State University.

062 August 13, 1929. To Martin from KP [Pettit], who states that construction work should be completed before the creek is straightened, and describes how mules are necessary for the operation of the School. Mr. Zande had four mules when he was in charge of the farm.

063 August 17, 1929. To Pettit from Martin, telling her to go ahead with the creek straightening. He asks if the cost of mule replacements would come out of the construction fund. He states that, if there hasn’t been a problem with the water supply, then the issue is moot. He is surprised at Miss Pettit’s automobile trips, writing that “I am for roads everywhere in the mountains, even though they move people out.”

068-068a August 26, 1929. Two-page letter to Martin from AM [Melville], who informs him that, during the opening days, intelligence and achievement tests were given to students and they were regrouped accordingly. The teaching staff hopes that this will work for the students and asks Martin to “keep faith” in this program.

064 August 27, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], describing the construction work on Country Cottage which cost $158.22. She asks for Martin’s bill sent to Miss Gaines from the Republic Metalware Company. The cost of any new mules would “not come out of the construction fund.”

065 August 30, 1929. To Melville from Martin, who gives his okay to pay for Country Cottage work from the construction fund. He will pay the Republic Metalware Co. bill as his gift to Laurel House.

067 August 28, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], reporting that one of the two radiators has been damaged by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company. She will ask Pierce, Butler & Pierce Manufacturing Corp. to make a claim against the railroad if Martin approves.

About the power line, Melville suggests that the School asks “the Kentucky Utilities Company to immediately make the survey, so that I may secure rights of way …. Mr. Zande does not feel that the reinstatement of the Delco is a wise plan” and prefers building a power line. However, continuing use of the Delco throughout the winter will work if it is carefully maintained. Therefore, the School has ordered second-hand batteries as backup. The School has two engines, which Mr. Morrison and Mr. [William] Browning will refurbish. The School has 56 cells of batteries. If Martin agrees that the power line is the better choice, the School will proceed on that decision, noting that Mr. Manning, who dissented earlier, is now in agreement. Melville is “not anxious to be responsible for the putting in of this line” but gives the reasons why it would be the best choice.

Miss Anderson is leaving and the School will need to fill her bookkeeping position. Melville asks Martin for suggestions.

069 [MISSING IMAGE]

070 August 29, 1929. To Melville from Martin, agreeing with Melville’s plans to regroup students based on their test results. “It will not be surprising if some are disgruntled and leave, though I lay great store on your ability to ‘sell’ them on the new plan.” He is sending a salesman from Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Cleveland, to explain the Deisel engine’s efficiency. Meanwhile, she should hold off on the power line survey until she meets with the salesman.

SEPTEMBER

071 September 2, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], who is glad he approves of the regrouping plan and explains how it works. Because five low-grade students left because of the new system, Melville “think it shows so clearly how much we need a trade school, feeding into it from the Junior High School.” She tells of her experience with trying to “sell” anything to mountain people. The “Danish farmer,” hired to replace Mr. Browning, will arrive around early October. The School has a new bookkeeper from Louisville. A new Line Fork cabin has an opening celebration today. Melville praises Mr. Stapleton’s work.

072 September 3, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], thanking him for his gift of $1000 to the construction fund, part of which will pay for Country Cottage construction. She encloses a bill for Miss Gaines’ enamelware.

073 September 9, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], sending him a copy of Mr. Mansell’s annual audit.

074 September 17, 1929. To Melville from Martin, suggesting that she read an article in the September World’s Work in preparation for the Diesel engine salesman’s visit. [Handwritten notes in right margin: “Miss P. Have you World’s Work? Pettit’s response: “No. Some other house may have it. It will come in Nov. …Dec. As usual 3 mons. Late.”]

075 September 19, 1929. To Martin from KP [Pettit], informing him that the creek-straightening has begun, as he had wanted “and according to the plans of the engineer you asked to come and instruct us.” She reports that the reservoir appears to have a leak. She asks whether she should use the same engineer.

OCTOBER

076-076a October 1, 1929. Two-page letter to Melville from Martin 076 asking if Mr. Boatright confirmed that increasing the size of the reservoir would “put greater pressure on the front wall. Martin thinks Boatright doesn’t agree. He asks how Wisconsin Steel Company is involved; and which pipe is leaking. He hopes she will find out something about the future road from Governor Sampson and asks about an order.

076a [A postscript to Martin’s letter of October 1, 1929.] Martin describes why the reservoir may be leaking and how it might be repaired, based on Mr. Boatright’s conclusion, which Martin encloses. He answers Melville’s request for the address of Parmelee-Braun, Inc, Buffalo, NY, the source of the fire extinguisher refills, and asks if she wants him to order them.

077 October 5, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], answering his question about the items in the farm and garden supplies and their cost. She encloses a copy of a letter from Mr. Boatright, chief engineer of the Wisconsin Steel Company. After Boatright visited the reservoir, he recommended “that we build another reservoir lower down.” Melville describes how a new reservoir may be funded through the Electricity Fund.

078 October 7, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], telling him she wasn’t ordering fire extinguisher refills, but only asking where to get them.

079 October 8, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville] enclosing replies to letters that she “sent to schools that have the semi-Diesel engines in. These all sound most favorable.” She awaits hearing from Martin whether to go ahead with the project.

080 October 8, 1929. To Melville from Martin, sending her lists comparing winter temperatures at Pine Mountain and Buffalo. He asks if the shipment from Republic Metalware Company was satisfactory with Miss Gaines.

081 October 9, 1929. To Melvillle from Martin, giving his okay to build the lower reservoir and to repair and enlarge the present reservoir. He encloses copies of May letters from Luigi Zande, “urging that we use no concrete for walls at Pine Mountain since stone and sand and mortar are so plentiful.”

082 October 12, 1929. To Melville from Martin, sending samples of “Wunderhose” and Cannon Mills hose and their prices. He recommends that Melville read the article in October World’s Work titled “Promoting Self-expression” by Hughes Mearns.

083 October 17, 1929. To Melville from Martin, recommending the paper, “The Diesel Engine in Municipal Service” by Edgar J. Kates, to be presented at the Muscle Shoals Conference in November.

084 October 18, 1929. Carbon copy of letter to Rogers Caldwell in Nashville, TN, from [unsigned, apparently Martin]. As suggested by Mr. A H. Sharpe of Nashville, Martin asks PMSS to put Caldwell’s name on the “Notes” mailing list. Martin writes that he is “a client of your house” and mentions Mr. C.N. Manning (board treasurer) is president of Security Trust Company in Lexington, KY, and Mr. R.E. Samuels (PMSS trustee) who is vice-president of First State Bank in Pineville, KY. He encloses a “William Creech folder” and sends this copy of his letter to Miss Melville.

085 October 21, 1929. To Melville from Martin, suggesting that she meet with two ladies: Miss Key Napier in Louisville, who is Attendant Supervisor at the Board of Education and with the Louisville Council of PTA. She also disburses the Student Loan fund; Also, Mrs. George E. Zubrod, chairman of the Student Loan Fund Committee.

086 October 23, 1929. To Mr. Edgar J. Kates, Brooklyn (NY) Polytechnic Institute, from [unsigned]. On the Martin’s advice, the writer asks for a copy of the paper on the “Diesel Engine in Municipal Service.” The writer then explains PMSS’s “quandary” as to what type of power the School should select to replace their 8-year-old Delco engine that is wearing out. They need to decide to build a line across the mountain or use a “semi-Diesel engine.”

NOVEMBER

090 November 6, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville]. She has not heard from Mr. Harrison, of Fairbanks, Morse, who promised to write to her “about the type of engine to install, the cost, and so on.” She plans to write to the company. She has asked Mr. Zande for his advice concerning the reservoir … and will consult with Mr. Boatright….” She thanks him “for the gift from the Republic Metalware Company… [I]t is wonderful to have white plates to eat off of.” She will visit Mrs. Zubrod in Louisville, as Martin suggested.

091 November 9, 1929. To Melville from Martin, telling her to ask Fairbanks Morse to proceed. He suggests that Mr. Zande supervises the dam building. He mentions Mrs. Holton’s visit to PMSS and her letter to the board. He asks Melville to answer his October 9th letter that enclosed a copy of Dr. Estabrook’s letter.

087 November 11, 1929. To Melville from Martin, sending three copies of Charles Kellogg’s book for the students for Christmas.

088-088a N.D. [Handwritten notation, upper right margin: “[November 1929].” Two-page letter to Melville from Martin, commenting on Mr. Browning’s report on the School’s “valuation of products” vs. “place values.” He writes about a new reservoir for PMSS; fire protection and inspection; and an anecdote about the success of using Shur-Stop fire extinguishers. “Mr Zande is a valiant friend and none can advise more wisely than he.” Mentions how Plainfield Association “stands by” the School.

092 November 20, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], who encloses a “statement for the last fiscal year for Mr. Browning’s three departments,” a copy of a photo of the reservoir showing the part that needs fixing, sent me her by Zande, and a letter from Mr. Boatright, the chief engineer of the Wisconsin Steel Company at Benham, KY. Melville comments on Boatright’s helpfulness. She thanks Martin for sending books for the Boys’ House and the Library. The School ran short on the last “Notes,” partly because 500 went to the performance of the English Dancers sponsored by the Plainfield Pine Mountain Association, which turned out to be “excellent publicity” for the School. She mentions Mr. Kennedy, leading folk dancer and Mr. [Cecil] Sharp, who collected the running set, wrote a book about it, and dedicated the book to PMSS. Mr. Zande approves of building a lower reservoir; Melville is enclosing quotes from Zande’s letter. Mrs. Foster is mentioned in her letter’s closing sentence.

089 November 25, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], enclosing her letter to the “Fairbanks, Morse people in Cincinnati.” Mr. Boatright “has promised to send over a man to help with the installation and setting up of the engine” and also an electrician, all at no cost. She asks if she and other board members could meet him in NY and at a conference.

093 November 26, 1929. To Melville from Martin, who suggests an item (“Home Bobber set”) in the fall and winter 1929 Larkin catalog.

DECEMBER

094 December 2, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], accepting his offer to send a “bobber set” for each house as Christmas gifts. She encloses a letter from the Fairbanks, Morse in Cincinnati and asks his advice concerning the 10% discount on the company’s offering for an engine.

095 December 5, 1929. To Martin from AM [Melville], telling him how she may handle the credit balance for Mr. Browning’s department, and lists valuations of the farm’s dairy products and produce. “…[W]ithout the valuation of his [live]stock, of course the department would have shown a debit instead of a credit balance. She thanks him for telling her about Shur Stops for putting out fires.

096 December 13, 1929. To Melville from Martin, sending a book to Boy’s House as a Christmas gift. He asks whether the invoice from Pierce Butler & Pierce for a hot water section goes under “repairs” or “construction.”

097 December 21, 1929. To Melville from Martin, who is adamant that Miss Pettit and Melville invite prospects to Pin Mountain instead of himself. He thanks Melville “for another misty picture of the chapel.”