Tag Archives: Bridesburg

Letter – Samuel Hallack, 17 November 1864

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Letter from Samuel Hallack to his friend L. Dodge. Samuel expresses his regret that Dodge has apparently lost his employment due to his political beliefs and that things like politics and religion should not have any influence in business. He thinks Dodge should not be out of work long and offers him a position where he is, though he thinks Dodge will dislike Lowell. He ends with a postscript regarding a conflict with a mutual friend.

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Lowell Nov 17th 1864

Dear Friend Dodge

I should have answered your letters before but have not found it convenient. I think that you have acted an honorable part and one that you will never regret. however much we may regret the termination of the campaign and would be glad to do anything in my power to make good all which you have lost by your political course, for I think that different opinions of politics and religion should have no influence in business matters, I am really sorry that you have lost your

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situation at Bridesburg but glad that business is good nearly everywhere for I do not think that you will need be out of work at all,

You can have a job here at 250 per day if you can do no better elsewhere still I do not think you would like Lowell as a place to live. I shall not stay here long although I have a very good easy situation but my health will not admit of my staying here. I do not know where I will decide to go.

I received a paper from Joe Hopkins with a carte visit of our Worthy President looking for your prayers and 500,00 more If you see him thank him for me and tell him I will write to him soon How are you firkin

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There is a great deal I would like to say to you if I could see you but do not feel able to write more at present. If you come this way be sure and call on me I will write again soon Mrs H sends her kind regards With many wishes for your prosperity I am truly your friend

Samuel Hallack

P.S. I think that you were right in regard to Archibald and he will see it some day, but he made a poor return for my friendship, I think his conscience will punish him at some future time with compound interest. SH.

L. Dodge is believed to have been an employee and possibly a manager at Alfred Jenks & Son in Bridesburg, PA. They made contract US arms and various patented arms such as the Jenks carbine.

Letter – Nieks, 9 January 1864

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Letter to L. Dodge from his friend Nieks at Harper’s Ferry. Nieks sarcastically inquires about Dodge’s dismissal from his employment (presumably from an obnoxious employer) and confides that he also is looking for employment. He admits that he is disappointed with the results of the campaign, but that they must stand up for democracy and truth and hopes that republicanism will crawl back into the hell it came from.

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Harpers Ferry VA

January 9th /64

Friend Dodge

How are you to day, and how do you get along since I heard from you, I hear that Lord [Caroll?] by the sanction of Prince Barton has dismissed you from the employ of his most royal Highness, and sent you adrift upon the dreary world outside the sacred enclosure of his Royal Highness’ workshops, political prescription I opine, Well how wages the world with you since? and what are you driving now for greenbacks? — The world has been running round several times

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last we met but by some mishap, I am continualy on the under side, and while I do not feel like complaining truth must be told, I cannot climb, I am now without employment, and shall be compeled to seek it, and may probably have to visit the north again, but, I think I shall keep clear of Bartons, — I must thank you for my Christmas present I received through our Friend Ault, and hope I shall be able some day to regail you with a token of rememberance,

Let me hear from you soon, for it gives me pleasure to have a line from from an old and true friend, remember

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me to all our acquaintance especialy to Blodget & Hopkins and our Brother boarders; tell me if you hear from Smith and how he is.

Well now [???] I shall not weary you with much more but must add a line on politicks, I feel much disappointed in the result of the campain but must ever believe that an unholy fraud as black as [???] dispaiR has been practiced, but a day of retribution must come, the principals of democracy are the source of truth and must prevail when republicanism will hide its deformed and hideous face and crall back to its native hell

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So you see I am yet hopefull but now we must shake hands and say good bye, and if you see a place where I can make a few pennys either by pen or file, let me know & I will join you

Yours Muchly

Nieks

Excuse my paper

L. Dodge is believed to have been an employee and possibly a manager at Alfred Jenks & Son in Bridesburg, PA. They made contract US arms and various patented arms such as the Jenks carbine.

Letter – C. Alexander Thompson, 27 January 1863

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Letter written by C. Alexander Thompson, a civilian arms worker, to his friend in Bridesburg, PA, from New Haven, CT. Thompson is requesting a job with his friend, as a U.S. Inspector recently visited his own workplace and said that their work was done incorrectly. As they will need to alter their tools, Thompson will not be able to do any work for quite a while.

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New Haven Jan 27th 1863

Friend Dodge

You will probably be surprised at my writing to you for a job i was foolish that i did not come when you wrote for me but they promised to give me a good thing here but last week there was a US Inspector here and he said the work was all wrong so they have got to make an alteration in there tools and it will be some time before i will have

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anything to do so if you have not got all the men you want i will come immediately on receiving a letter from you i wish you would write so i can get a letter by Saturday if you dont want me i wish you would ask Tupper if he wants anybody give my respects to all and be sure and write and oblige

Yours Muchly

C Alexander Thompson

It is believed that Thompson worked for the New Haven Arms, Co., which manufactured the Henry Repeating Rifle. He is possibly writing to the manager of the Jenks and Son plant in Bridesburg, PA.

L. Dodge is believed to have been an employee and possibly a manager at Alfred Jenks & Son in Bridesburg, PA. They made contract US arms and various patented arms such as the Jenks carbine.