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Francis Donovan
Thomaston, Conn.
Dear rr Donovan:
&-1
n/1
Several of the stories you have sent in are
exactly whet 1 want most but the record of how men lived when
they were not workinE>is still cloudy.
-an you not find one particular informant with
an active mind and a sense of proportion who will consent to
an interview t at will give us more of the personal side of the
clockmakers and their lives?
Ilut I would like to know more about the reason
behind the frequent assertion that "the old times are best."
tRntI would like to know what some, particular man thinks of
the way people used to live and the way they live today. When
Seth Thomas ran the store and a man bought everything on tick,
did he 7et more for his money than he does today? Were the
groceries in Seth Thomas's stdre top grade products, 'was there
a wide variety offered, were the prices right, and did the help
ever complain when the day of settlement arrived? What does the
clock worker think of the chain store, or bottled milk? How
does he accept packaged. :-oods rather than bulk? What were the
reactions tilt to change around the Thomaston area?
The eating habits of a people are important.
If the old-timer had pie for breakfast, I'd like to know whether
or not he still longs for it. If he ate his fill of ham -and, or
bacon -and, does he ring the time clock with as much enthusiasm
now that the morning ration is skimpier? Those old square dinner
pails, what did they carry in them? Did any class of workmen
enjoy a higher standard of living than another class? Get your
informants to talking about punlin pie and the relative merits
of white and yellow turnips. T;And xxx out what they believed
was the best beverage. What *Mi their attitude toward temperance
and do they believe the youngsters today drink more than they did?
Clothing might also furnish a lively topic of
conversation. Die the old-timers come to work in overalls? Did
they tap their own shoes? Did they get more wear from the old
shoes than they do today? Low about the dress of the women today
as compared with the attire of the shop girl of yesteryear'
And while we are talking about women, you might
investigate a man's attitude toward offspring. Does he believe
in the larre family or does he think it tough enough to make a
living by himself? Christenings and wakes might be investigated,
church habits, marriages, courtship, and the more intimate and
softer side of the informant might be carefully and tactfully in-
vestirTated, alwaYs remembering that he must tell you without be-
in,g asked directly.
You have accomplished an excellent job on the
mechanical side of clockmaking. I now need just a little more on
what goes on in the heart of this individual who makes timepieces,
or wh8 once made them.
15u4i3
Sincerely yours,
Wm TT