From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.

The Anthony Letters

$2,200 Insurance Claim Was Finally Settled for $600

Leavenworth Times, 1956-7

Editors note: This is another in a series of letters written by Col. D. R. Anthony to his family in the east almost 100 years ago when Leavenworth was a new town and Kansas was still a territory. The letters give a clear picture of Leavenworth in its early period. The Times is publishing the letters each Sunday and Thursday.

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Leavenworth, K.T.

July 13, 1858

Dear Sister Susan:

Your very welcome favor of the 28th ultimo arrived yesterday. Just returned from Glenwood Mills, Iowa, to investigate a loss of the Aetna Ins. Co. On a policy of $5,000 a loss was claimed for $2,000. After looking into the case I became fully convinced the gentlemen were extravagant in their demands. Finally and without any admonition from me they concluded they were not entitled to over $600. If I mistake not I think it will be appreciated at the Cincinnati office.

You see I am somewhat conceited but I think I can say that no man with whom I have become acquainted in the west is better posted in insurance than myself.

When I left home for Iowa I was unwell. I took a steamer to St. Joseph--then took a stage hack 130 miles to Glenwood. We have had heavy rains and the creeks were high, some overflowing over the bottomlands. One we could not take the stage over and had to cross in a skiff and get another stage. So the trip from St. Joseph up took two days and two nights and I was pretty well bunged up, but on investigation think it has benefited the bilious indispotion[sic].

When at the hotel in Glenwood I was attacked in the night by numberless bedbugs and in the morning I had the satisfaction of seeing the villains weltering in their own blood. It may be that they sucked only the bad blood out of me.

Am sorry that you have been so sorely afflicted and trust you will find a cure as soon as I did.

As to note and money matters at home I would not have Father or Mother do anything that will give them one hour's trouble or anxiety.

D. R. Anthony