Rocket PoweR, InteRstellaR tRavel and eteRnal lIfe

Prowl Cars, Ambulance, Six Policemen Evict Dan
Hungerford.” The city of Elmira, according to the
Towner piece, claimed it had had possession of the
house since December 30, 1965, for non-payment of
$4,237.89. On hand on West Second Street also was John
L. Sherman, who had been “acting as Dan’s agent in his
recent struggles with the City of Elmira to prevent the
carrying out of an eviction notice.” The ambulance was
available to Hungerford for a free ride to the county
home in Breeseport, a service he declined and told
Towner he likely would sleep in his car.
A few minutes later, the bearded, homeless man,
climbed wearily into his 1935 Buick, backed slowly
out of the driveway and drove off…leaving his
world behind.
The workmen [boarding up the windows and
doors] finished and the newsmen left. All that was
left was one prowl car, stationed in front of the
house. . .on guard against the return of the eightyyear-old
evictee. 253
Peg Gallagher wrote that someone had stolen a steam
engine from Hungerford’s front porch, provoking him
to keep a loaded shotgun by his side. It was this fact that
caused the police before eviction to warn “neighbors to
stay away. But Hungerford left quietly.” 254 One wonders
if this engine might have been the model
Hungerford built in his early years. A Hungerford relative
noted, “Dan built when he was very young, still a
boy I believe, it should be around somewhere. It was
one of his very first inventions.” 255 Certainly such a
piece would have meant much to Hungerford and
inspired him to protect his other possessions.
Jon Elan Steen wrote that “there was a social worker
or someone connected with the city that had a lot of
involvement with Dan at the end (got him out of the
house and into a ‘more suitable place’.) I think his name
was Barr. . .” 256 Later, Elan Steen added, ‘ I had no occasion
to see uncle Dan the last few years of his life and
only casual chit chat about Mr. Barr came my way.
Uncle Dan had been quite ill for a number of years, and
it is reasonable that one or more of his neighbors called
the Health Dept. to have him taken care of.” 257
Perhaps Elan Steen thought James E. Barr was a social
worker involved with Hungerford. In August 1992 Barr
noted he was employed from 1964 to 1991 by the county
health department as director of environmental
health, but he was not a social worker. “My factual recall
of Hungerford Brothers is essentially nil. . . . Daniel or
both brothers may have become reclusive and the home
may have created public health problems thus the
involvement of the Health Department. The underlining
is to emphasize that this vague feeling is speculative.” 258
The Elmira Star Gazette for June 10, 1966 mentioned a
different man named Barr, Hungerford’s friend Russell
Barr (1913–1980) of 315 E. Center Street, 259 who
approached the Hungerford house after the eviction.
Told by police officer Vincent Glynn that he was trespassing,
Barr replied that he had power of attorney
from Hungerford and that he, Barr, “was to see to
Hungerford’s well-being.” Glynn told Barr he had no
authority to “accept such papers” and advised him to
go to police headquarters. The newspaper also noted
that city manager Carl F. Sanford said the house had
become city property some time back. “Hungerford disappeared
for some time subsequent to that, and had
gone to Pennsylvania, said Sanford.” Of Barr,
Hungerford said he was “HELL ON POLITICS—WAS
A PROMOTER OF PARKING METERS—MET SO
MUCH—MANY GRAFTERS IN PUBLIC OFFICE –HE
WONT [SIC] EVEN VOTE. HE HAD TWENTY YEARS
IN LOCAL POLITICS—AS WARD HEALER [sic]—-
HE’S COMPLETELY DISGUSTED—AND WARNED
ME—NOT TO INVOLVE HIM IN MY POLITICAL
MOVES. BARR—IS A GOOD MAN.” 260
In addition to Russell Barr, John Sherman sought to
assist Hungerford during the period of his eviction.
Hungerford described the latter aide as a “6 foot 3 – former
world war 2 –commando –chief says he had 800
men under him”. 261 Hungerford also said Sherman was
a writer. “AT PRESENT [January 1967] BOMBARDING
U.THANT WITH ONE AND TWO MISSOLES [sic] A
DAY.” 262 Sherman did not drive in Elmira, but moved
around the city on a pedal-powered tricycle. In June
1966, Sherman, on behalf of Hungerford, read
Hungerford’s statement to the city council claiming that
the “invasion of my privacy and health was, and is, at
least unconstitutional….” He demanded the “cessation
of the attempted stealing” of his property. 263
If there was a villain in Hungerford’s eyes, it was
“ATTY.W D. BURNS IS OUR CITY ATTY. LIVES SEC-
OND HOUSE WEST OF MINE – A REPUBLICAN”. 264
After the eviction, Sherman and Barr provided assistance
to Hungerford at a two-room apartment at 312 E.
Third Street. Hungerford toward the end of 1966 said he
was relying on a $54 monthly welfare check with his $50
rent paid in addition. Sherman, wrote Hungerford,
“helps me every day helps me change the bandages on
my arm and leg.” He also went to the house on Second
Street where he salvaged “Floyd’s electric clock” and a
set of musical bones, which, sadly Hungerford could no
longer play “because of my arm.” 265 Sekella called
Sherman a “helpful friend” to Hungerford. 266
Other Hungerford friends included the Sekella
family. Even with Steven Sekella stationed in Germany,
his parents gave Hungerford meals at their house and
66 Daniel and Floyd Hungerford: Rocket Power, Interstellar Travel and Eternal Life, by Geofrey N. Stein