Benitz, John E. - Diary, 1910

Jan	1	Left for Cruz Grande. Marjorie myself. Johnie + Alfred. Miss Baker the governess. Rita + Angelina servants. arrived at Cruz Grande the same day.
	3	Began to move the furniture into Mothers new home which is just finished.
	5	Miss Elsie Macintosh, Miss Dawney, Mr + Mrs Higham [niece] + two children Alfred Benitz + Mr Marty arrived, J. Ferguson. to celebrate Mothers birthday
	6	Mothers birth day. 80 years old today. tea party at Villa Josefina.
	7	Mr Marty left for Rosario.
	8	Mr J. Ferguson returned to La Minnesota. took fruit + rhubarb with him.
	17	At Cruz Grande. received from Alfred a cheque on the London Bank for 25.000.$ a loan to meet the pagare [note] due at the Banco de la Nacion in Bell Ville on the 28^th for 25.000.$ our novillos [steers] are to be delivered to the River Plate Fresh Meat Co on the 26^th. 500 nov. @ 105.$ but will not receive the money in time to meet the bill.
	18	Was in Cordoba. saw the Governor + the Minister. received 2.000.$ the last of the $4.000. given to Dept^o. Punilla Road Com. on Aug 2 - 1909 Asked for 3.000.$ more to carry on the work but could not get it. Cashed in Cordoba the cheque given me by Mother. $1.333.³³/₁₀₀ Alfreds + Williams share of the allowance to her for Oct + Nov. Mr + Mrs R. Agar arrived at the Greystone on a visit. Alfred + ~~William~~ Higham went up to the Palmares. At the Escribano [notary] Rodriguez + Peralta I. signed for Alfred. the title deeds of the land he purchased from Pantaleon + Medardo Heredia. I also signed the title deeds of the bit of land above Villa Josefina on the River Cruz Chica that I. bought from Pantaleon Heredia for 300$
	19	Returned to Cruz Grande from Cordoba.
	20	Sent to Mr Nicolayson. (the book keeper) Los Algarrobos - a cheque for 25.000. received from Alfred on the 17^th on the London Bank, to take to Bell Ville on the 28^th to meet the bill due at the Banco de la Nacion.
Feb.	7	Sent Mr Marty a cheque for $25.000. to be deposited in the London Bank to Alfreds credit. in return of the 25.000. he lent me. Jan 17 - 1910. Doctor Lloyd came to see Mother to treat her for her rheumatism.
	10	At Cruz Grande. Received a paper from Alfred binding himself to let me have the use of the water of his deposit + canal of "La Quebrada" to carry water by piping to my properties, in exchange for my having born half of the cost of building the deposit and canal. I gave Alfred a paper binding myself to let him have the use of my days (8) of the water of Rio Cruz Grande for the use of his place "La Quebrada," it being understood that he only takes of that which does not diminish to any extent the flow of the River.
	17	At Cruz Grande. arranged with Willie Benitz that he is to write to Proffesor Mumford in the States to send out some Polland China pigs, a boar and a young sow in pig for myself. they are to be shipped out through Agar Cross N.Y. The Shire Stallion, "Bay Don" died at Los Algarrobos.
	24	Left Cruz Grande for Los Algarrobos -
	25	Left Bell Ville early in the morning. had lunch at La Minnesota tea at El Victoriano and arrived at Los Algarrobos in the evening.
	28	Sent Anastacio Zeballos to La Cumbre with two tostado [mahogany bay] cart horses for Mr Garrett, to be charged at 300.$ plus gastos [expenses]. these are the two horses that used to be at the Monterey years ago. Sold to Bernabe Moyano 15 potros [colts] from El Victoriano at 140.$ ^c/_u [cada/uno - each] he + his son + Lorenzo Mir came out from Bell Ville in a Motor Car.
March	1	Carlemagno came out from Bell Ville in a Motor car. sold him the wheat from La Margarita at 6.50$ and the Algarrobos 7.00$ on the place. I returned to Bell Ville with Carlemagno in his car. + with Lorenzo Mir went over the Road Com. accounts. From Bell Ville I went to Buenos Aires.
	3	Sent to Mr Marty from Buenos Aires a bill with my signature to have discounted at the Banco Britanico del America del Sud, in Rosario for 25.000.$ due 4^th Sept 1910 at 7%. this money is to be deposited in the London Bank.
	4	Saw Don Ricardo Agar + Mrs Agar off for England on the Amazon. Left Buenos Aires for La Cumbre at 4.¹⁰ P.M.
	5	Arrived back at Cruz Grande from Buenos Aires. brought five Plymouth fowl along. two cocks and 3 hens. Received a cheque for a thousand dollars from Alfred ac. La Quebrada
	22	Left Cruz Grande for Los Algarrobos. slept the night at La Minnesota.
	23	Arrived at Los Algarrobos.
	24	Dr Hanley + Mr Neild arrived on a visit.
	26	Dr Hanley + Mr Neild left again for Buenos Aires
	28	Gave Mr Potter a recomendation to the Nac. Bank Bell Ville so that he could have some money to buy some more of Gilpins land.
	30	Finished taking up stock. making the yearly inventory at Los Algarrobos- for the year ending 31^st of March. = 6903 head of horned cattle. yeguarizo working animals + mules - 518 Yeguarizo mestizo manadas + potros 618. lanar = 3483 pigs 309. [= 6903 head of horned cattle; work horses + mules = 518; mixed breed brood mares + colts = 618; sheep = 3483; pigs = 309.]
	31	Backed a bill for 5.000.$ for Harley Storey to be discounted in the London Bank in Rosario. to meet one I. backed before which falls due April 6= this bill will fall due 3 Oct - 1910. Gave him a cheque for $3.000. loan untill The Italian horse trainer left for Buenos Aires with 12 animals he has tamed to single + double harnes. he takes them down to sell them the 12^th or 20^th.
April	3	Had a meeting of all the colonists of La Margarita colony at Jose Miglioris house. arranged with them that this year they pay 18% of the crops - put in the station which I select on the new line in construction.
	4	Left Los Algarrobos for Rosario. in Bell Ville attended a meeting of the Sociedad Rural, de Union. and saw Lorenzo Mir the Secretary of the Road Comision of the Dept^o Union. he had just received 3.000.$ from Bernabe Nogano (Se�ador) [signatory] from the Goverment for the Road Com. At Ca�ada de Gomez old Manuel Sosa, handed me 200.$ on ac. of the loan I made him long ago.
	6	Left Rosario for Las Rosas, to Alfreds Estancia Tres Lagunas- stayed the night there.
	7	Went to La California from the Tres Lagunas-, had lunch there + tea, and took the train back to Rosario in the evening. Had the poder [power of attorney] from Mr Tom. Agar. protocalizado [certified] in Rosario.
	8	Today, in 1875 my father with my brothers Frank, William, Charlie and Alfred, with Uncles Frank + Marr arrived on the La California camp and began to poblar [settle/stock], set up the tent and began to make a sod rancho [hut], which stood for a good number of years afterwards, it was built just behind where now stands the row of buildings comprising office + rooms for book keeper, sitting room, and my old rooms-, 35 years ago. Left Rosario for Los Algarrobos again, via Leones-. La Colu***ia.
	9	Received from Lignion H^nos vacine for inoculating all the cattle of the 3 Estancias.
	10	Left Los Algarrobos- for Rosario, accompanied by young Pearse.
	11	left Rosario for Reconquista.
	12	~~Alfred gave Mr M~~ Saw Benito Ramayon in Reconquista about Chaco lands-, found nothing suitable, also met G. Paul + Mr Anderson.
	13	Left Reconquista for Vera. stayed the night there.
	14	Left Vera for Reconquista. � [cut off at bottom of page]
	15	Presented letter of introductions to Dr Vadilla and to Se�or Obligado
	16	Dr Vadilla presented me to Nicolas Siffredi a com agent, who offered me 20 000 hect of land on the Bermejo River. camp known as Campo de Araoz offered at 14.$ the hect.
	17	Arranged with J. Maclean, (an old Chaco man) to take me + young Pearse out to revise [inspect] the campo de Araoz. for 300.$ he furnishing the horses + peones [workmen], + pack mules- and two armed peones-. we left for Las Palmas by boat the same day. MacLean with men + horses going overland to meet us on other side of Las Palmas. we arrived at Las Palmas the same day we left Resistencia.
	19	We left Las Palmas on Mr C. Hardeys, little narrowgage line for the punta de los Rieles [Punta de los Rieles, town NNW of Resistencia] . where we met J. Kennedy, the man in charge there, who put us up.
	20	Mc.Lean with peones [workmen] + horses met us, and we started for the Araoz camp.
	22	We arrived at the S.W. part of camp, revised [inspected] it, rode all around it.
	23	Revised the remainder of the camp. that occupied by Uriburros puesto [house], and rode as far as the Rio Bermejo, where we slept the night.
	24	Finished revising [inspecting], and left the camp again.
	26	Returned again to Las Palmas.
	27	Telegraphed to N. Seffredi to Resistencia, accepting the camp at 14.$ hect. Pd of Mr Mac.Lean. and me, Don Pancho + I. took steamer for Buenos Aires.
	30	Arrived early in the morning in Buenos Aires. Mr Marty got on board in Rosario.
May	2	Met N. Siffredi, who introduced us to Dr Blanch. the oner of the Campo de Araoz. arranged everything. saw the Escribano [notary] and the Agars about the payment.
	4	Left Buenos Aires for La Cumbre, to take the family back to Los Algarrobos.
	11	We all left Cruz Grande for Cordoba.
	12	Marjorie, the two boys Miss Baker + the three servants took train for Bell Ville, for Los Algarrobos, and I stayed in Cordoba to see the Minister. tried to get a thousand dollars donated to Punilla. but could not get it. Left at 3 P.M.
	13	Arrived back in Buenos Aires. met Mr Marty. Dr Blanch + N. Siffredi at the Escribano [notary] Saavedra at the Banco Hipotecario Nacional. signed the titles of the campo de Araoz. and paid 280.000$ in cash. Made a boleto [purchase offer] with Dr Blanch for three months. for his remainder of the camp. 5 000 hect at 18.$. me to pay Siffredi 2.500$ as com. should Mr T. Agar accept the camp. The Escribano [notary] transcribed my power from T. Agar. Mr. Cross + Col. Ruston - to Mr Marty. so that he could sign the titles in case we bought the land. Asked Shiffredi to try to get me a boleto [purchase offer] for the 10 000 hect of land adjoining + belonging to General Winter, to pay up to 20.$ the hect.
	15	Left Buenos Aires for Rosario. with Alfred.
	16	Alfred and I. and Mr. Marty went to the London Bank, received my package of the Shares of the "Los Algarrobos" Sociedad Anonima Ganadero, " that were deposited there took out shares to the value of 200.000$ which I. gave to Alfred as security for the same sum he has lent me to pay off all my Bank obligations untill I. return from England, or for a longer period, paying him 7% the shares are not negociable, and must be returned to me whenever I. redeem them. the shares delivered to Alfred are = No 201/1200 = $100.000 = No 7201/8200 = $100.000 Resealed the package of the remaining shares for 500.000.$ and redeposited them in the Bank and received a receipt for them from the Bank. Alfred also gave me a receipt for the shares - given him. he also deposited them in the same Bank. sealed with our seal. and I. gave Alfred a receipt for the 200.$ of which we have received up to date only 150.000.$ the remainder he lets me have by the end of the month. At the Escribanos - in Rosario Moises Garcia. I. had a Poder General [general power of attorney] made out ~~one~~ giving power to Mr F. C. Marty to act for me and manage all my affairs for me during my absence to England.
	17	Returned to Los Algarrobos-. having been absent since the 10^th April.
	19	Mr H. Miller + E. Carlomagno came from Bell Ville to see me about founding a branch of the Banco de Cordoba in Bell Ville. asked me to help by being one of the directors + subscribing some capital. as this Bank will do a great deal of good. I. accepted. and promised to contribute with $25.000.
	22	Drove in to Bell Ville to attend a meeting of the Sociedad Rural de Union and of the Com. de Caminos del Depto Union [Union county Roads Commission]. also a meeting of merchants about establishing a bank in Bell Ville, with capital subscribed by neighbors. I. promised to subscribe with 25.000. and to be one of the Directors. Mr + Mrs Hill + child arrived. from Tucuman. Mrs Hill was Margarita Thome. daughter of the owner of the Margarita camp.
	24	Took Mr Hill all around the Margarita camp.
	25	Centenario de la [centennial of] Republica Argentina. had carne con cuero [side of beef barbecued with skin on] and horse races for the peones [workmen].
	26	Sent two letters to the Minisiterio. saying that as I. was going to Europe. I. left Lorenzo J. Ledesma, the Tesorero [cashier] of Punilla in my remplazo [replacement]. and in Union Enrique Carlomagno, also Tesorero. Mr Byrhn brought four mares which he asked me to have served for him.
	27	Mr + Mrs Hill left for Cordoba + Tucuman.
June	1	Sent by Encomienda [courier] to La Cumbre, 2 crates with 4 young pigs. = 8 pigs. " " " " Malaya 2 Hampshire Down Rams to Bech.
	2	Sent Ponce, the Capataz [foreman], James Ferguson + a peon [workman] to Olmos Estancia San Sebastian to part 100 potros [colts] AO at 50$. Made a plan of the Estancia on a large black board to hang in the office.
	6	Marjorie + I. left for Buenos Aires on our way to England. passing through Bell Ville I. saw Mr Miller about the Bank we were forming in Bell Ville. capital already subscribed 890.000$ While in Buenos Aires we stayed with the Highams [niece Bertha�s family]
	9	Paid to the Com. agents Pareja + 5.050.$ for the 100. potros [colts] that Ponce + James Ferguson parted at the Olmos Estancia San Sebastion at 50.$
	10	We left Buenos Aires on the Aragon for England. Alfred, Mrs Bischoff + Miss Dawney. made the party. Mr Lambert going on the same ship joined our party of six at a table. Took cash along for the trip. 50� in gold + 600 francs in gold. and letters of Credit of the Spanish Bank on London + Paris for 100.000 francs + 4.000.�
	11	At Monte Video was handed a letter from Mc.Lean enclosing a plan of the Bermejo + camps, north.
July	2	Arrived in London, stay at the Hotel Victoria [Click here to see it today (page 20) - part of the MoD's HQ.]
	4	Drew from the Banco Espa�ol 200 � on my letter of Credit.
	5	Attended the Peterborough cattle + horse show, saw some fine Shires.
	7	Attended a meeting of T. Agar, Mr Cross + Col. Ruston. discussed the "Bermejo Camp" business, it was decided to form a company of the business, with a capital of 80.000 �. to stock the camp, to fence + poblar [stock] it. an aggrement was drawn up which I. signed. I. am to be given 3000 � worth of shares in exchange for relinquishing (giving up) my rights to a profit arising from ultimate sale of land, and am to be lent 5.000 � by Mr T. Agar + Mr Cross to buy that ammount of Shares -. I. am to pay them 7% interest. I. am to have the management of the Estancia. The Cia [company] is to be called, The Bermejo Estancia Co. Ltd.
	12	Left London for France. with Marjorie, Alfred and Mr Mews. (the agent. H. Sonioses man)
	14	At Nugent le Rotrou [Nogent-le-Routrou, about 150 km. SW of Paris]. Alfred bought 3 Percherons for himself and I. bot one for William.
	15	At Caen bought a Anglo Normandy stallion for Los Algarrobos ~~from~~ through Alfred Gallier a ~~dealer or breeder,~~ the Com. agent or Vet, who took us to see the horses ~~was named Jude Jourdan~~ The breeder or dealer from where I. bought the stallion is Jude Jourdan. The horse is named "Heretier" 3 year old. a brown horse, for 4000 francs-. was sired by Quaiscon.
	17	Left Paris for London where we arrived in the evening back again at the Hotel Victoria.
	18	Drew 200 � from the Banco Espa�ol ac of letter of credit. Left London for York. slept there
	19	Motored all about York + Peterborough, looking for Yorkshire + Shires. slept at Peterboro.
	20	Motored about Cambrige + to Waldon. where I. bought for �200. a Hackney stallion for La Minnesota. the horse is called Waldon Active John, a light active chestnut. then we motored across to Tring Park. Lord Rothchilds place. at Tring. where for �200. I bought a Shire stallion, called "Champions Heir", sired by Chidwick Champion age 2 x 3 year. bay color left fore foot a little white.
	21	Drew 800 � from the Banco Espa�ol del Rio de la Plata. in a cheque which I. sent to Mr Mews ac. of payment of stallions. Frankie Benitz lunched with me.
	25	Drew 300 � from the Banco Espa�ol del Rio de la Plata in London on ac. of letter of Credit.
	26	Arrived at St Andrews: joined Marjorie, Mrs Bischoff + Miss Dawney at the Renack hotel. saw the three girls
	28	Left St Andrews, Marjorie, the three girls and myself for Lochearnhead, where we arrived in the evening.
Aug.	4	Left Lochearnhead for Dumfries (where we stay with the Turners) passing through Glasgow. I bought an old grandfathers clock for Mothers house, Villa Josefina.
	8	Left Dumfries for London. back to the Hotel Victoria
	10	Went to Coventry. visited the Daimler Motor Works, ordered a 25 HP. 2 seated car
	12	Left London for the Headlands Hotel at New Quay in Cornwall. where the Agars are staying.
	18	Left New Quay for Clovelly, where the Birminghams are staying.
	22	Arrived at Dublin. stay at the private house of the Manager of Shelbourne Hotel. Visit Horse Show.
	30	Left ~~London~~ Dublin for London. back to the Hotel Victoria.
Sept.	3	Received a cable from Buenos Aires advising that the 1^st. and long looked for rain had fallen at Los Algarrobos, Los Algarrobos. 12 ^m/_m El Victoriano 21 ^m/_m. La Minnesota 37 ^m/_m.
	20	Bought a Shire Stallion "Champions Wiseman" from Lord Rothchild at Tring Park for �210.-
	21	Marjorie + I. took our three girls back to their schools at St. Andrews, their holidays have ended!
	28	A meeting was held at the office of Agar Cross + Co. London and the Articles of Association of The Bermejo Estancia Co. Ltd were signd by the following. Thomas F. Agar, Malcolm Cross, J.S. Ruston, Clara Agar, Muriel Amy Ruston, Marjorie Benitz, John Benitz, James Orr, H.M. Brodie T.H. Wrensted, all Shareholders.
Oct	6	Held the 1^st. meeting of the Directors of "The Bermejo Estancia Co. Lt." the following were present Mr. T. Agar, Mr Cross, John Benitz, Mr Wrensted, it was resolved to appoint Mr T. Agar as Chairman and with him Mr Cross + Ruston as- Directors. As Auditors to the Co. were appointed Rattray Brothers. (Alex + Francis of Glasgow. Poderes [power of attorneys] were drawn up authorizing me to sell + buy the camp in the Chaco to the Co. and to Register the Co in the Argentine, an aggreement was drawn up appointing me as Manager. with a renumeration of half of the profits after deducting 7% interest on the Capital. another aggreement was drawn up + signed by which I. pay Mr Cross + T. Agar 7% on the � 5000 they lend me to buy 5000 � of shares in the Co. I. am to have a certificate for 3000 �. of shares in renumeration for my services in buying the land. Marjorie is to have one share (�10.) in the Co. this share is to come out of the 500 that I. buy, with money borrowed from T. Agar + Malcolm Cross.
Oct.	12	Received the following papers from Mr T. Agar to take out to the Argentine. * 1 poder [power of attorney] to sell the Chaco land to the Co. * 1 " " purchase for the Co. the above land. * 1 " " Administrate. * 1 " " secure registration of the Co in the Argentine. * a memorandum of the Articles of Association, duly legalized + attested to by the Argentine Consul. to be used for the Registration of the Co. * a duplicate agreement for services as administrator + attorney. * a duplicate agreement as to Shares with Mr Agar + Mr Cross.
	13	Motored with Mr + Mrs T. Agar to Southampton.
	14	Saild for Buenos Aires on the Amazon. with us go Miss S.a Court a governess we take out with us for the boys. Kenneth Avery a nephew of Mrs R Agars who goes out to learn camp life at "La Minnesota" and Tomas Sympson who goes out to Los Algarrobos. [Seven years later, 20 Aug. 1917, Tommy married Elsie in England.]
Nov	3	Today is Elsies birthday. 17^th
	5	Arrived in Buenos Aires. was met at docks by F.C. Marty + V. Morando [owned estancia bordering La California to the north & east of the rail-road]
	8	Arrived back at Los Algarrobos.
	10	John Ferguson arrived down from the Bermejo.
	12	The Daimler Motor car arrived back from Buenos Aires where it had been sent to be repaired a year ago. when it was wrecked by Hectors drinking.
	13	Received by registered letter from London Share certificate No 7 for 300 shares (@ �10.- each) and one Share certificate No 8 in Marjories name for one share. of The Bermejo Estancia Co. Ltd.
	22	Went to Rosario via Bell Ville. "by Motor to Bell Ville."
	23	In Rosario ordered new stove with hot water instalation for the house. and telegraph posts of quebracho [v. hard wood] + estacones [large stakes] for altering telephone system.
	24	Had a meeting in Bell Ville of the Directors of the Banco Agricola Comercial. of which I. am President. also a meeting of the Road com. of Union. of which I. am also President.
	25	Arranged with Sixto Yrrazabal of Las Garzas. sent down + recommended by Mr Paul, to go up to the Bermejo camp + to take charge of it if he finds it safe to take his family up. at 100.$ a month.
	26	Went to Bell Ville. stayed the night and on the 27^th went to Cruz Grande.
Dic	1	Left Cruz Grande for Cordoba, next day went to goverment house about Rondo -
	3	Returned to Los Alarrobos.
	31	Left Los Algarrobos - early in the morning for Cruz Grande, arrived there the same day. with Marjorie, Johnie + Alfred. Tommy + Harley Storey. Rila, Angelina, Dona Ageda + Canducho.