Rocket PoweR, InteRstellaR tRavel and eteRnal lIfe

very Element Essential to the Ends he sought-, He
might find him self reading this letter in an early
issue of the New York Times. 154
Figure 19. Floyd Hungerford was photographed about the
same date as Daniel, about 1945.
to the significance of minor political parties. He praised
Henry Wallace, presidential candidate for the American
Labor Party, for warning the public about “the rapid
drift toward world war three.” Minor parties, he continued,
provide a public service “by presenting issues
that otherwise would go by the board.” Then,
Hungerford concluded his piece by moving his thought
to other worlds.
. . . our great destiny does not consist in just quarreling
over economics and national boundries [sic]
in this world – but, involves the conquest of Space
– occupation of the stars – and the attainment of
Eternal Life on this Side of the grave-. Since that is
true - Lets hasten our Progress – by ridding ourselves
of all - Lost motion and most effort-. Let all
the able bodied - do His and Her share of the usefull
[sic] labor – but, before any has anything lets
provide abundantly for the Incapacitated – what
ever the cause -. Had Ponc Delion [sic] -,x Explorer
of the Rivers of Florida – for the fountain of youth,
but know[n] that latent within himself resided the
In 1939, developers for a shopping site planned to
demolish the Jervis Langdon family mansion, perhaps
known best as the nineteenth century home of Olivia
Langdon, who married Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain).
As Jervis Langdon was selling the property, the city discussed
acquiring the house as a museum. But in the
end, the city council declined to buy the property for its
assessment valuation. 155
The Elmira Advertiser reported that demolition began
on November 6, after the Langdon house was open to
the public that morning from ten to twelve o’clock. On
November 8 Hungerford and Marshall Bush on the
scene carried signs for “Elmira Must Save Mark Twain
Home. This Property Must Not Be Destroyed.”
Hungerford announced that he planned to park the
rocket car “under the traffic signal at Main and Church
Sts. unless workmen engaged on the building laid
down their tools.” He also said he had sent via telegram
to the national announcer Lowell Thomas an “appeal . .
. . over a national radio hookup for preservation of the
property.”
In response to Hungerford, Langdon said,
At no time has the Langdon family thought it possible
that the residence might be preserved as a
municipal memorial. Such a course did not seem
practical I regret very much that any measures
have been taken to picket the property. 156
The next day, November 9, Hungerford said,
“Uppermost in our minds is the preservation of the
building for the future.” He added that he thought
passersby “appeared deeply interested in the effort of
halt demolition of the historic building. Experts have
said that if the work can be halted before it proceeds
further, a temporary roof can be applied without heavy
expense.”
Meanwhile one man had sold several “large doors to
preserve them.” He said he thought most items could
be returned. Meanwhile, the demolition contractor,
William Pedrick, said “picketing had reduced sales of
material from the home.” 157
There were three picketers now, Hungerford, Bush
and Erwin D. French, identified, in the 1970s, as “leaders
of the Socialist Party in Elmira.” 158 Hungerford
said he had spent “greater parts of the morning discussing
the proposition with Elmira businessmen but
had not obtained an acceptable plan.” The picketing
would continue. 159
Chapter Five: Politics 35