NAWSA General Correspondence Johnson, Harriet A. [*H E Bruce, about H I Johnson*] Dorchester Relief Society Room 1, Robinson Building 204 Adams Street, Fields Corner, Dorchester, Mass. Office Hours: 10 to 11 daily Telephone Connection Dorchester, Feb 21st 1921 Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, Hotel Monadnock, Dorchester, Mass. My dear Miss Blackwell: - A week ago Saturday I went out to Llewsac Lodge, Bedford, to see Miss Johnson, and talk over her plans for the future. She told me of your kindness and generosity which will enable her to remain where she is a little longer, and also said she had kept two rooms on Townsend St. Roxbury all the time she has been at the Lodge, paying two dollars a week for same. They are attic rooms and contain her furniture. One of the rules of our Society is that we provide only for elderly people living in Dorchester, so what I was obliged to tell Miss Johnson that I could not assume the care of her affairs as I should like to, as I found her agreeable and appreciative. In talking with her, she freely mentioned her money troubles. She withdrew what money she had in an endowment policy, and invested it in the Isle of Pines Land Co. and apparently has lost it all– She owns two Bank Shares in Q Bank out West. which she wants to hold for her last burial expenses; the interest from this is 18.00 a year, so the principal Dorchester Relief Society Room 1, Robinson Building 204 ADAMS STREET, FIELDS CORNER, DORCHESTER, MASS. Office Hours: 10 to 11 daily Telephone Connection DORCHESTER, 19 must be $300.00 and I think she is quite right in reserving this money. At one time she made an application for the Doane Fund for nurses, and was told she was eligible, but failed to follow it up. I have sent her the name of the trustee of this Fund, and advised her to write immediately to him and see if she is still entittled to the fund, which is $100.00 per year. Have also ascertained the Cali address of this Land Company in which she invested her savings. The Church Missionary who interested me in Miss J - is still doing what she can for her, so there may be some place found for Miss J where she can be a companion without any heavy work to do. She seems admirably fitted for such a position. Thanking you for your interest and hoping you will understand the situation better from these few lines Very truly yours, H. Eugenia Bruce Agent [*Letter for Miss Johnson to be sent to Dr S H Calderwood 221 Warren St Rox*] [De] My dear Mr Callerson, Miss H. I. Johnson of 3 Monadnock St is applying for admission to the Home for the Aged on Barton St. I wish very much that her application may be granted. I have known her for >30 yrs, both when she was a nurse & when she worked in my office. She has always been a very hard working woman, and never spared her strength while she had it. She would tackle the hardest task without hesitation, & keep at it till it was done. She has had a hard life & many sorrows, but has always found time for good works, helping the church, & doing things for others less fortunate than herself. Some months ago she met with a fall which [bo] cracked a bone & sent her to the hospital, & though she is now up & about again, [the shock has] the remaining lameness, & the effects of the shock [was] will make it impossible for her to earn her living. Every home for [old] the aged as a waiting list, but the Rev Mr. Speare [gave me] told me that [applications could be] the needs of the applicant were taken into consideration, & that admission could be hastened in cases of urgent necessity. Miss Johnson's landlord has given her notice that she must leave by May 1. Her small savings will carry her but a little way. If she has not enough money to pay the admission, I am ready to make up the amount; and she has furniture enough to furnish her room in the [hom] Home, if that would be any consideration. Please let me know what the prospects wd be. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.