December 20 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Clarence F. Forrest, thanking “the Committee” for the invitation but declining [MTP]. Note: Forrest is not further identified.

Sam also wrote to Mr. Griswold.

“I shall be very glad indeed to have the Dresden edition of my old friend’s books in my library in this house. I knew him twenty years, and was fond of him, and held him in as high honor as I have held any man living or dead” [MTP].

Note: Sam often made similar remarks about Robert G. Ingersoll, who died on Nov. 12, 1899. See Nov. 14, 1879 entry, which fits with the 20 years reference. Also, Gribben identifies the man referred to in this specific letter as Ingersoll [344]. This may be Almon W. Griswold, Jr. son of Almon W. Griswold (1822-1890), who, with Ingersoll had appealed a lawsuit in the circuit court, northern district of N.Y. in 1878 to recover illegally exacted custom duties [98 U.S. 225; Andrae v. Redfield] (Griswold Sr. was a Harvard educated lawyer). Almon W. Griswold, Jr. is identified as the son of Almon W. Griswold, book collector in the NY Times, Sept. 20, 1902, p. BR4 article, “American Libraries: Collections Not Known to the Public, etc.”

Samuel M. Bergheim wrote to Sam.

Dr. Cook sent me a copy of your letter to me with reference to the dissolving of Plasmon.

I have changed all this after our conversation on the subject when you were in London, and I now enclose the wrapper that goes round the packet, with which I think you will be pleased. I am glad to hear that the American Plasmon Syndicate are doing well and that their business is increasing. The business here is making strides every day….I have no doubt our friend, Mac Alister, keeps you well posted on what is going on here [MTP].

Frank E. Burrough, attorney in Cape Girardeau, Mo. wrote to Sam.

I received your letter of 15th concerning my father, and sincerely thank you. I appreciate your good opinion of his taste and judgment in literary matters.

Of all your books, I like “Tom Sawyer” best. He was a real boy. The nauseating, “goody-goody” Sunday School boy, is not a native product. Every normal man, has, in his history, a good deal of “Tom,” and those of us raised along the river know him thoroughly. I want to thank you for writing our boyhood biography. …. [MTP].