1875 Letters and 1875 Logbook

1875 Letters and 1875 Logbook 1875 April, May, June Logbook of L. F. Liscom expenses for bridge repair work on behalf of National Bridge and Iron Works. Logbook is bound in smooth brown calf skin 4 ½” x 7” 1875 October 16 from Frank (L.F.) Liscom (Boston) to wife, Dollie (North Granville, N.Y.). (Letter describes his loneliness and tiredness missing his wife and baby (Flora). Mentions that he met C. H. Parker (consulting engineer for the National Bridge & Iron Works) when he learns that “condition was unchanged” – he shall not go to Worcester to work on a bridge. He expresses some trouble in the company with a Mr. Dopp making misstatements in his books but he doesn’t want to think so. Again is mentioned the dissatisfaction with working for National Bridge and Iron Works and warns wife not to mention to anyone the private thoughts).

1875 October 17 same as previous. (Letters relates his Sunday at church and visits with friends and missing his wife and baby. Two letters are enclosed in same envelope with National Bridge & Iron Works insignia.)

1875 October 19 same as previous. (Letter written on National Bridge and Iron Works. Office of the Proprietors Chas H. Parker & Carey B. Dopp 32 Hawley Street Boston. Discusses business of how to make more money and longing for his wife and baby ).

1875 November 12 from L. F. Liscom (Worcester) to Dollie (Mason) Liscom (Brattleboro, VT Care Mrs. Julius Mason). (Letter speaks about enjoying all the letters his wife had written to him but now is distressed about some financial problems that are affecting him and his family. He is trying to finish up some bridge work and tells wife that she can stay in Vermont with her mother or come to Hinsdale, N.H. where his family is. He reports “the Company (NBIW) business is in the hands of assignees and unfinished work will be brought to a close, meanwhile C. H. Parker & Carey B. Dopp are free to go their way and build more bridges.” Apparently the Company is failing and he will have no income to support family. The NBIW fails in 1876. David Herbert Andrews (1844-1921), a NBIW engineer, buys the equipment and materials and begins his own company, The Boston Bridge Works. The BBW eventually becomes the largest construction company in New England. In 1872 L. Frank Liscom erected the large arches of the Boston and Lowell Railroad Depot. David H. Andrews designed this train shed when calculating the arch stresses were not practically developed yet. Mr. Andrews received his engineering education at the Sheffield School of Engineering at Yale sharing this engineering connection with Mansfield Merriman (1848-1925) who also acquired his civil engineering education at Sheffield. Mr. Merriman came to Lehigh University (1878-1907) following his studies at Yale).

1875 November 14 from L. F. Liscom (Worcester) to Lemuel Liscom (Hinsdale, N.H.). (Letter send regrets that L. F. will not be able to come to father’s home in Hinsdale for Thanksgiving because he is busy with two bridges in Worcester but will come in January when bridge building stops for the winter. Envelope has the NBIW insignia)

1875 November 14 from L. F. Liscom (Worcester) to Dollie Liscom (North Granville, N.Y.). Letter speaks of hardship of separation from wife and family and the failure of the C.H. Parker & Co. business which has affected Liscom’s investment made in building bridges while still in the employ of NBIW. Apparently L.F. Liscom has financial problems and is embarrassed by the litigation it involves. Envelope has the NBIW logo).