Sunday, August 6, 2017

The Loss Was Fully and Liberally Adjusted

On August 6, 1889 - 128 years ago today - William Lumpkins' barn just north of Rossville, Kansas was struck by lightning "in seven different places, and set on fire."

Later that month, William, my third great-grandfather, was featured in The Rossville Times, praising the insurance company that "fully and liberally adjusted and cheerfully paid" his claim.

His effusive approval reads like a 19th century insurance commercial.

The Rossville Times, August 23, 1889;
accessed Newspapers . com August 6, 2017
On the 6th of this month (August) my barn (3 1/2 miles north of Rossville City) was struck by lightning in seven different places, and set on fire. The loss was reported to C. W. Higginbotham, agent for the Phoenix Insurance Co. of Hartford, Conn., with whom my barn was insured. Yesterday, August 13th, the loss was fully and liberally adjusted and cheerfully paid, together with all damage to grain stored in the barn, through which the electricity passed in reaching the ground.

 William Lumpkins, Rossville, August 14th, 1889. 

 While I'm glad his loss was swiftly compensated, I can't help but note that his praise comes across as a marketing ploy for the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut (a company that still exists, by the way!).

What do you think? Was William Lumpkins compensated for his published remarks?
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8 comments:

  1. AmyAugust 7, 2017 at 1:22 PM

    Well, he could just have been a very satisfied customer who was happy to help out the company without there being any quid pro quo. I often write glowing reviews of products or services without any compensation!

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    1. Family SleutherAugust 7, 2017 at 5:07 PM

      You make a good point, Amy (as always!). It just struck me as odd that it was printed in the newspaper, but I suppose that was the 19th century equivalent of an online customer review. I wonder if there was an associated cost to post the review and who paid?

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  2. AmyAugust 7, 2017 at 8:01 PM

    I think of newspapers as the social media of their day. My guess is that either the company paid or it was free. Newspapers seemed to publish all kinds of "social news" back then.

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    1. Family SleutherAugust 19, 2017 at 10:40 AM

      They're fun to read. I feel like a voyeur snooping into folks' personal business (much like reading social media posts of folks who share too much :), but am thankful for the opportunity to gain insight into my ancestors' lives.

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  3. Cathy Meder-DempseyAugust 14, 2017 at 12:35 PM

    Michael, so many scenarios can go through our mind when we find something like this. Did you not question that lightning struck in seven different places? Maybe William wanted everyone to know the insurance company believed his claim - to put an end to possible rumours.

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    1. Family SleutherAugust 19, 2017 at 10:42 AM

      Oh, that's a good point for consideration. I hadn't thought about that. I am thankful for the clipping. Every piece of information helps to paint an image of the man.

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  4. Anna MatthewsAugust 17, 2017 at 2:54 PM

    It does sound like an ad. Maybe the insurance company put the whole thing together with your 3rd great grandfather's permission.

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    1. Family SleutherAugust 19, 2017 at 10:46 AM

      You're probably right - mutually beneficial for all parties :)

      Delete

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