Further Mention

A mural in the Massachusetts State House portrays the Massachusetts Sixth Regiment as the first in the American Civil War to answer the call to arms. Furthermore, Massachusetts was generous in raising $3,000,000 for the war effort, but the Federal Government had been less than generous in paying back only $2.000, 000. Thus the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may now be owed as much as $3,000,000, depending upon the rate of interest. With a wry sense of humor, experts in money may point out the irony involved in the complaints of U.S. taxpayers that foreign countries do not pay their war debts and that Washington has failed to honor its obligation to that loyal state.

Blessed with a keen eye for financial outgo and income, the late William C. Cusack '27, a 67-year resident of Massachusetts, was curious about the unique position of Massachusetts, the only state in the Union never to have enjoyed complete payment. As a specialist in investments, counseling, and brokerage, he was able to sharpen his pencil and do a little common-sense arithmetic. He discovered that the million still owed the state continued to draw interest until 1917 when only an additional $886,000 was paid. Hence the estimate $3,000, 000 now owed and uncollected.

The Cusack detective work is found in a small book entitled Federal Civil War Debt DueMassachusetts. The first copy has been presented to Governor Francis Sargent of Massachusetts.

In another historical memoir. History of Hamilton Union Church, Guilderland. N.Y.,1824-1974, the work of William J. Embler '28 and his wife, Mabel Boyd Embler, chapters are devoted to country crossroads, trials and tribulations of pastors, parsonages, merger and growth. The heavy factual emphasis is lightened by photographs, maps, and rumors true and false. Thus one church member "had kept company with disorderly and profane persons and ... used profane language, cursing, swearing. and drinking spirituous liquor to excess." Excess is not defined. During funerals the bells rang out ages of the deceased, with perhap not unerring accuracy for spinsters of uncertain birth dates. In 1858 a Mr. Wheeler gave the sizable parsonage two coats of paint and was paid $19. There is no record that he banked his money and died a millionaire.