Philip Morris: 'Sconset's Postmaster. Part II

possibly New York as well. Alan LeMair, nephew of Will Macy, attended a number of games in New York with Phil.

The fan remained in Phil, still healthy and, through television, added other sports to his interest in baseball. Bowling, golf - men's and women's - are the main ones. Time at the tube is essential whether in Florida or 'Sconset. Weekends little else is possible or likely.

Shortly after Phil had lost his wife, he moved into the apartment behind and above the Post Office. Because of his love of sports, particularly Red Sox baseball, Phil bought a twelve inch television set. It was the first in 'Sconset. It was used and shared - mostly in the evenings by many regulars and some unexpected visitors. Their names appeared in the journal Phil had been keeping for himself since about 1928. One night an unknown lady knocked at the side door and introduced herself as Mrs. MacDonnell, the daughter of the world famous ballroom dancing team, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Murray. She said that she and friends had visited 'Sconset several times, and that she expected to be here with her parents later in the season. Phil was also told that the dancers were giving an exhibition on television in the near future and that, if possible, she would love to see it. This was arranged and all enjoyed the show. Late in the summer the Murrays called with their daughter. Mr. Murray gave Phil an autographed copy of a bi-ography concerning his life as a teacher and exhibitor. Patricia Collinge and her husband, Bill Smith, were anxious to see some dancing led by Fred Astaire. Phil made this possible. Miss Collinge was well known and highly respected in 'Sconset for her help at the Casino, for her wonderful contributions to the New Yorker, and, of course, for her many appearances on Broadway in New York. Her support of Tallulah Bankhead in the part of "Birdie" in "The Little Foxes" was greatly admired. The boys of 'Sconset were most interested in the Rolls Royce touring car Mr. Smith, her husband, used to pick up the family mail.

John Salvis was not considered to be the friendliest man in 'Sconset but, as the only barber, the only garage man and the head of an important family, he was a man to be reckoned with. His steady wife rented rooms, his daughter, Eileen, and son-in-law, Gordon, ran the grocery store and meat market. John-the-barber and Eileen loved golf and they were good at it. It was a great pleasure for Phil and John to go to the links together. They liked and respected each other.

When Phil lived at the Post Office, John gave him a winter garage for his car. Eileen was heard to say, somewhat in humor and amazement, that he would not do that for her.

The real proof of trust and respect, however, was a financial service. For years, Phil made three deposits at the Pacific Bank. One deposit was for federal funds generated by the Post Office while the other two were accounts from businesses belonging to John Sal vis.

From Bud Egan and Clem Reynolds, in particular, both of whom wrote often of Phil's versatility, "extra mile" services were done - - even by the Postmaster himself; it is patent that the community credited Phil with being the ultimate source of all knowledge, and too many were not shy in asking Phil for such knowledge, and very often at most odd and inconvenient hours. It was forthcoming with patience, good humor and resignation. After the three departures and the three arrivals of the railroads at the first gully were no more, the Post Office became the mecca of the village. Everyone of most every age came to this center for mail, for gossip, for companionship and excitement. The building itself was not the whole center. The "extended bench" toward the Casino, was the rest of it. When collecting or mailing, everyone spoke to Phil, possibly using the benches when Phil was there on his noon hour or after work, even into the long ummer evenings. On the benches, there was time for the best of stories, for gossip, for wit. The benches were also a part of the new transportation system (as the Bus Stop and outdoor waiting room). They still are, although most of the people who use the benches are not there to catch or meet a bus.

Procedures were set out in Laws and Regulations manuals which covered all domestic and foreign traffic. The Post Office at that time had to be open six full days per week, with enough time on Sunday to get mail on the early boat at six a.m. Daily 'Sconset mail had to be prepared before four or five o'clock in the morning to be transported to the Steamboat Dock. For years, this was the job of Charlie Talford, who also drove the 'Sconset-Nantucket bus. He slept in the front or office section of Kenneth Coffin's garage on New Street, opposite the Casino and west of the Chanticleer. Very occasionally, Phil would have to rouse Charlie. At least once the boat responded to a call from Phil and "held" until the mail arrived. The lobby of the Post Office was open twenty four hours a day where a public telephone was available.

Partly due to the telephone on the porch, this area was never locked, giving access to the mail drop. Phil was inspecting the area one dark morning and was surprised to find a wallet on a shelf near the phone. Inside, he found the identification of Sam Otis, an artist who lived opposite the Chapel on New Street, as well as three one hundred dollar bills and a twenty. Mr. Otis later asked the Post

Office if anything had been found and told of his loss. Phil asked for a description, produced the wallet, turning down the offer for a cash reward. Mr. Otis returned the next day to ask Phil what he smoked - cigars? cigarettes? - and received the answer "I don't smoke." He asked, "What do you drink?" Phil replied, "I don't drink." Looking very upset, Mr. Otis could only say, "Phil, you are a hard man!" That was the end of the matter.

It was easy for Phil to prove himself before the general public, but the real test of being on top of the job was established and reestablished only before a good Official Post Office Inspector. When he appeared, all accounts were checked in detail. Phil liked the challenge and was never found off base.

The same Inspector came for many years. One time there were two of them and the new man tried to prove Phil was wrong on some part of P.L. and R. (Postal Laws and Regulations). The three went to the hook which showed that Phil was absolutely correct. The usual Inspector was not surprised and was pleased for Phil.

A rough Friday, Saturday and Sunday, toward the end of March, in 1956, may not have been the hardest or strangest in our Postmaster's life, hut they certainly were not routine and altogether pleasant days. The "Ink & M" thought they had a good story about their friend and gave the sequence a full column. The roar of 70 mph wind and a loud crash forced him out of bed. Without a coat, only in pajamas and slippers, he stepped out of his kitchen door on the northwest side of the Post Office. The wind closed and locked the kitchen door, greeting him with whirling snow. He moved the short distance west to the building's semi-open porch but of course, found no warmth or furniture or clothing there. He decided against going in his state of dress to Mildred Burgess' house on the east, or to the Rogers' on Main. He probably doesn't know how long it took to find the rock needed to smash the window, which made it possible for him to climb into the kichen.

Sunday morning, he burned his bacon and started out for shellfish from Polpis Harbor. Near the water, his green truck became stuck in the mud up to the running board. Mr. Craig, uncle of Sandy, was unable to help him to get the truck free, but drove him to 'Sconset in time to get the mail from the steamer. Young Kenny Coffin used his big truck to get Phil's out of the Polpis mud. Yet as the afternoon wore away Phil had the continued and compounded ill-fortune to jam his finger in the door of Kenny's truck. Quite a day! And the week before Palm Sunday!

On August 27, 1962, at the 'Sconset Civic Association meeting in the Casino, a resolution was passed noting the long, loyal, outstan-

ding service of Philip Morris in the Post Office in 'Sconset. The resolution was signed by Kenneth C. Eldridge as President of the Association and by Charles M. Goetz as Secretary.

Merle Orleans' "Looking Backward," under 1963, ran the following paragraph: On January 5 a gathering was held at the 'Sconset School to honor Phil Morris on the occasion of his retirement as 'Sconset Postmaster. He was presented a testimonial containing a long list of signatures, and a Longine watch suitably engraved. Philip Morris retired as Postmaster at the 'Sconset Post Office. Donald Terry was appointed Acting Postmaster. Phil had been Postmaster for 34 years."

The list mentioned by Orleans was gathered with the help of Jean Davis Brown, Alden Buttrick, Esther Swain, Lyla Folger and others - over three hundred signatures in a memorial book which Phil proudly shows now, twenty-seven years later. Alden Buttrick was treasurer in the project to raise funds for a government bond and for the engraved watch. The Selectmen, in January 1964, had their part in the retirement.

The 'Sconset community had its pleasure of entertaining Phil at the school house. This was an outpouring of thoughts and feelings and, of course, the children had an important and remembered part.

Over the years, Phil developed a fund of knowledge of the history of'Sconset, and a considerable collection of memorabilia. He loves to show his Nantucket Railroad Time Table: "No.l, June 7, 1910. Leaves 5:25 a.m., 12 noon, 5:00 p.m. Returns 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 7:15 p.m." His favorite photo among many maybe that of the HorseMobile. He had copies made for special friends. A favorite picture of his father hangs in the Post Office. His attested score card July 17, 1929, of a "76" at Sankaty is not the least of his personal treasures. He has copies of July 9, 1888, of the famous 'Sconset Pump, a heyday publication by professionals in 'Sconset.

An advertising promoter at Philip Morris Incorporated, a successful Park Avenue firm that makes six brands of cigarettes, four brands of beer and four brands of soft drinks, heard of 'Sconset's Philip Morris. The company's message was screamed at that time by a "hell hop." Call for Philip Morris!" was a theme that was becoming too well known. Johnny, the bell hop, was brought to 'Sconset to meet Phil. They were photographed together across King Street from the house Phil and his father-in-law built in 1923, in front of Phil's second home called Lucky Strike.

Phil and his wife Margaret commuted each winter to Pompano Beach, Florida, where Phil spent the first fifteen winters of his life as a "snow bird." Seated on the public benches, he passed the days

reminiscing with his cronies. Though he never commented on the condition of these Pompano sites, he favored the DPW resting places in 'Sconset next to the bus stand or by the comfort station west of Pump Square. Longtime friend, Merle Orleans, used to joke with Phil, "Where is the Morris chair?" and "Fog is made at Low Beach in 'Sconset, so that it can be sent to Nantucket."

Alas, Phil outlived most of his pals, so there was little enjoyment bench-sitting in Florida. He strolled the beaches collecting a variety of exotic shells, the volume of which his good wife remonstrated would drive her out of her nest! His answer: Would you rather have me spend my time in bars?"

The shells became a hobby in the glass porch of their upper King Street home. With the aid of glue, pliers, and a magnifying glass, Phil created shell birds, curios, knick-knacks, to sell or give away. In his "laboratory," he exercised his sharp mind and eyes, and enjoyed his solitude. Phil happily showed visitors his workshop/porch, and a lifetime of collected photographs taken by him, as well as many others. Some photos predated Phil. Most told an important part of the 'Sconset story.

Today, Phil and Margaret's step-son, his son, and Phil's grandson do valuable maintenence on the grounds and the house called Lucky Strike, which was erected fifty years ago by Phil's father-inlaw, a Nantucket-Quidnet builder, while Phil laid the basement. 'Sconseters Dick Coffin and Merle Orleans wanted Phil to know that the festive decorations in the Post Office were hung by Marty McGowan. Christmas brought unusually fine dressings for the Office building and Memorial area by Kenneth Eldridge, Marty, Bunny Evans, Helen Roberts Matthews, Bill and Maria Roberts, the DPW and the Electric Company, as well as other good civic souls.

Phil Morris, born in the last few years of the nineteenth century, and surviving nearly to the end of the twentieth, experienced much change. A village with grassy streets rambled by cows, chickens, sheep, and horses became a busy town peopled by tourists, filled with houses and resorts. Members of the community whom he knew well as Postmaster and citizen were replaced by a flow of strangers. But friends remember fondly the genial Phil Morris who died early this month in his Florida home. Isabel Veit, one of Phil's friends, in the I & M of December 21, 1962 has given a gem of thanks from all of us: Phil Morris knows of friendship, and a friend he is to all, Oldtimer and newcomer, to the children big and small. He's thoughtful, kind, efficient, even if the going's rough, When crowds outside the window charge he isn't fast enough, Or when the fog is thicker than a hearty Irish stew, His cheery smile

and greeting is like sunshine breaking through. Was born and bred in "Sconset, schooled in truth by which to live, A diligence to duty means, thy whole self thou must give A stickler for adherence to the rules of ev'ry game, So notable and ordinary man he treats the same. A well of information, yet no secret would divulge, Nor had the inclination with the gossips to indulge. He always puts himself right in the other fellow's spot, And does what he would have him do if trouble were his lot. Has shared Thanksgiving turkey and his Christmas dinner too, With those who would be otherwise deserted, alone and blue. Remembering lean years of youth, determined with a will, The 'Sconset kids in Boston had a treat from Uncle Phil. The measure of his giving really never can he made, He has left his mark on 'Sconset and his image will not fade. He served us with devotion, he's a giant in our book, His greatness grew from little things most people overlook. Blest be his years of leisure, with the long days sunny bright, Each hour filled with pleasure, ev'ry moment a delight.

Philip Morris died at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday, June 17, 1988, of a lingering illness. He is survived by his wife Margaret.

Book Review Mary Coffin Starbuck and the Early History of Nantucket.

By Roland L. Warren.

(Andover; NY: Pingry Press, 1987. Pp. 286. Hard cover, $19.95. Paperback, $12.95]

Maty Coffin Starbuck's life is the compelling tale of a remarkable woman in 17th century Nantucket. Her biography, written by Roland L. Warren as historical fiction based upon exhaustive research, begins in 1644 with her role as the daughter of Tristram Coffin and his wife, Dionis. Coffin was an important citizen in a succession of early Massachusetts Bay Colony communitiesHaverhill (Mary was born there), Newbury and Salisbury-before he became the leading proprietor of Nantucket, where he and his family settled permanently in 1660 when Mary was sixteen. On occasion, to aid the reader in exploring the maturing thoughts of the heroine, Warren has created a plausible diary, which he uses sparingly but to good effect. Her story ends with her death on the Island in 1717. In 1662 Mary Coffin became the competent, caring wife of Nathaniel Starbuck. He is portrayed as a strong partner and an enterprising, responsible citizen with firm political convictions of his own-not always shared by Mary. To the role of busy mother of their ten children she added the complexities of operating a general store in those days when money was scarce and bookkeeping often involved translating bartered work and goods into credit. Her role of storekeeper required the perceptive Mary to make direct community decisions, and as trusted wife and as business woman with valued opinions, she must have had many chances to exert influence in local matters large and small. Mary Coffin Starbuck's role as religious leader is traced from her earliest searchings for Supreme guidance. As the daughter and neighbor of theological nonconformists in sympathy with Anabaptist, Presbyterian and Quaker doctrines, content to be separated from the Puritan oligarchy of Massachusetts and in no hurry to form congregations, she must have spent many hours developing her religious convictions through Bible reading and conversations with neighbors and itinerant ministers, to have arrived at the stage observed by Quaker Thomas Story in 1704. Story described her, at 60, as "...a wise, discreet