May 30 Sunday — Sam recorded that daughter Clara and Albert Bigelow Paine were still not satisfied about the possible existence of a general power of attorney that Sam may have given unaware to Ralph W. Ashcroft.
I was now satisfied, but Paine & Clara were not. They were still worrying over that boastful remark of Ashcroft’s. On Sunday the 30th they drove over to Nickerson’s place, & he remembered acknowledging my signature to a general power of attorney back in November or December. He thought it conferred power upon both Miss Lyon & Ashcroft. They came back & reported. I said Nickerson’s memory was astray & there was nothing to fret about, for I had not given a general power to anybody.
That was Decoration Day. Paine said I might be wrong & Nickerson right; so we must take no chances; we must go to New York & rummage the banks [MTP: L-A MS XVIII]. Note: Sam and Paine left for NYC the following day, where Paine found the Nov. 14, 1908 power of attorney. John N, Nickerson, notary.