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as he was very busy and getting ready to go to England for a trip. I went back to 18" St and Calvert and I talked over the matter until 11 o'clock and we finally concluded it would not be wise to decline his offer, all things considered. I was to acquaint John McEntee with the offer and if he acquiesced then Calvert would come up, but he did not want an interview with Sam except to discuss a definite proposition, which I do not, I confess, see the wisdom of. I breakfasted with him and he seemed to feel clearer and better and I came home in the day boat. It has been a very hot day but the sail up the river was delightful. There were a great many people on board and fully 200 landed at Rhinebeck to go up to the mountains. As I was hurrying on board a very pretty young lady spoke to me but I did not recognize her and she saw I did not. It was Mrs. Hiram Romeyn's sister. She was waiting for some friends with whom she was going on an excursion to West Point and feared they would be left, but I reassured her by telling her they had nearly half an hour yet. I got her ticket and went on board thinking I would see her later, but I looked all over the boat afterward and could not find her in the crowd. I went to see John to tell him I would go down there this evening to report, but he drove up here instead on his way to supper. I showed him the map, reported my interviews with Calvert and with Sam and he figured up the value of what would remain on our, lowest estimates at the time of the auction. The result is that he thinks decidedly that we should accept Sams offer. I have written to Calvert and as John acquiesces, he will probably come up Saturday. – I have also sent a note to Sam to come up Sunday afternoon. – Mr. Wm. B. Fitch died on Monday evening. Sam told me of it in N.Y.

[[newspaper clipping]]
THE death of Hon. Wm. B. Fitch removes one of Kingston's noblest and most public spirited and exemplary citizens. Few men have contributed more largely to the prosperity of Ulster county or the development of its long dormant wealth. He was a pioneer in the blue stone business, and will be gratefully remembered by hundreds of men to whom he furnished ample and remunerative employment. Mr. Fitch had been ill for a long time, and his death was not unexpected by his intimate friends, but the news will carry sorrow to every part of Ulster county.
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Thursday July 17" 1890. Sara and I attended Mr. Fitch's funeral today at 3 o'clock. It rained a little when we started. We came down by the horse car as far as Chester St. and went up and called at the Ludlums. The weather looked so dark and threatening in the West that we were obliged to hurry home but it did not rain hard. There was however thunder and lightning. We saw Helen for a moment. She was lying in her bed where she has lain for more than twenty years, I think white haired and fast becoming an old lady. I suppose such a life has its consolations and compensations, but I wonder what they are. Poor Mrs Waters has all this family to look after and no servant and not even a nurse for Helen. Anna is I presume, as usual, wrapped up in Foreign Missions and cant devote much time to her "Home Mission". She bores me with her religious nonsense.

[[newspaper clipping]]
VAN BUREN – Suddenly, at his late residence, Plainfield, N. J., on Wednesday, July 16, General Daniel T. Van Buren, in the 65th year of his age.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Church, Plainfield, on Saturday, 19th inst., at 10 o'clock a. m.
Train leaves foot of Liberty-st., N. Y., at 8:45.
Companions of the New-York Commandery of the Loyal Legion will see an official notice in the evening papers.
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Friday 18" An ideal day with a cool N. wind and clear, brilliant air. I went down town to get things for a breakfast we are to give on Saturday to Mr & Mrs. Cross. Am studying up a new arrangement of this part of the place in case we close a bargain with Sam. Sara had a short letter from Mary today. She sent Mary one of Lucys letters with a good deal about Downing in it, utterly forgetting there was some criticism on Marion, in it, for sending her a big box by Express with some small things in it of but little account. I think Mary felt a little injured and it looks as though Sara sent it purposely on that account. The above is a notice of the death of Tompkins Van Buren. He was in the 20" Regt. when we went from here for the three months service.

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