Unexpected Bravery by A. J. Schenkman

Author:A. J. Schenkman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Globe Pequot
Published: 2021-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

The doctor wrote that “the claimant is very nervous and shaky.” He weighed a mere ninety-four pounds. There is no evidence that the doctor thoroughly examined Cashier, because he is listed as male on the paperwork generated by the physican. After a prolonged waiting period, the government granted Albert a pension of $8 a month. His retirement money still did not prove adequate, so his neighbors continued to find odd jobs for him. Albert Cashier generated extra cash by taking care of the lamps along the streets where he lived. Cashier also became the church’s janitor close to his home.

The Lannon family lived just across the street from Albert. During breakfast with them in January 1904, the Christian Church caught fire at about 8:00 a.m. on a Sunday. Citizens rushed to save the house of worship. Their attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. Afterwards, several people became enraged with Albert because they believed it was his negligence that started the fire. Locals warned him several times about over-stoking the wood stove, which warmed the church. Instead of watching the fire in the stove, the local newspaper reported that “the janitor was at breakfast.”

Cashier’s health and financial situation continued to deteriorate. In 1907, he requested an increase in his pension. Albert again was granted an increase on March 13, 1907. His monthly check for his military service swelled to $12. Albert continued to keep his secret from not only the federal government, who did not conduct a physical examination even with pension increases, but also from his community. Then everything changed for Albert in 1910.

Lannon, as well as local newspapers, described Albert as sometimes ill and unable to take care of himself. In 1910, Mrs. P. H. Lannon had a nurse from Chicago living in her house and taking care of an ill daughter. Mrs. Lannon became aware that Cashier was also quite sick. She asked the nurse to check in on the ill Civil War veteran, which she agreed to do. A short time later, the nurse came running from the house, screaming that Albert was not a man.

The Lannon family calmed her down. They managed to get the nurse to keep Albert’s secret. Albert was also reassured that all involved intended to keep his secret. However, this was the beginning of the end for Cashier’s ability to hold onto his secret.

Once he recovered significantly to work, Albert, again, started working odd jobs for extra income. He found some steady work for State Senator Ira M. Lish. Tragically, one day when Cashier was working for the senator, Lish backed out his car unaware that Albert was behind it. The senator backed over Cashier’s leg, snapping it at the hip. Lish sent for Dr. C. F. Ross, who needed to set the break. When the doctor removed Albert’s trousers, he realized Albert’s secret. The men all looked at each other. Albert, panic-stricken, asked the other men in the room to please keep it a secret. The men agreed to keep it from the public, but there was still one problem.

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