1865 SPRINGFIELD IL Letter - Re CROOKED CLAIMS AGENTS in Town - CONFIDENTIAL

Description

1 pg. letter, approx. 7-3/4" x 9-3/4", dated at
Springfield, Illinois, July 13, 1865
, from A.T. Sherman, to his "Friend Payne".
Great content
in this "confidential" letter, in which Sherman writes of the claims agents in Springfield all being crooked, or as he puts it, "far from honest".
The letter reads:
"Friend Payne,
Yours under date of the 10th just rec'd. In answer I would say that the claim agent referred to, Wm. M. Fowler, is as honest as any of the claim agents here, and is doing a fair business. he does the business to make money, and will make it. I should not leave an a/c in his hands for collection if it were my own and I should not send a friend of mine to him. Of course, this must be strictly confidential.
The 3 principal claim agents here, and those that are doing the most business, I consider far from honest, as follows, Geo. S. Thompson, the one that I have been at work for, Gibson and Souther, and Wm. M. Fowler. I am on good terms with all of them and do not often express my opinion of them.
Trusting that you will understand my opinion and take it for what it is worth,
I remain respectfully,
A.T. Sherman"
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