February 12 Friday — Isabel Lyon’s journal noted that Sam was in bed reading “Quakenbores [sic] book on Natural Philosophy” in bed with “a cigar between his teeth”. Note: A Natural Philosophy, etc. (1899) by George Payn Quackenbos (1826-1881) [Gribben 565].
George Brunton for the Boone Iowa News-Republican wrote to ask Sam for a letter of encouragement for their YMCA [MTP].
Archibald Henderson wrote from Chapel Hill, NC to advise Sam he was Sending under a separate cover a typed MS of an article he’d written about Twain for Harpers. “You will please me by using the blue-pencil as vigorously as you wish. And, “Mr. Coburn writes me that he has developed the pictures he took at ‘Stormfield’, and that they are ‘corkers’, to use his expression.” He also mentioned he’d sent a “little article” of his in the Atlantic, which he trusted Sam had rec’d [MTP].
Arthur Hillman wrote from Wilkes-Barre, Penn. to Sam. Hillman had “chanced upon a volume dealing with the practice of Thugee,” and recalled in FE Twain’s work on the subject, from which Sam had consulted a government work, which he thought must have been tedious reading. The implication is that Hillman forwarded or enclosed the volume he wrote of, since he asked Sam to accept it [MTP].
Robert Underwood Johnson for Century Magazine wrote to Sam. “Knowing your deep interest in theological works I am sure you will be glad to read my son’s book “The Eternal Boy’ which he tells me he is sending you.” He hoped to see Clemens Saturday at the luncheon of the Academy [MTP].
Sam’s new guestbook:
| Name | Address | Date | Remarks |
| F.A. Duneka [signed] | New York | Feby 12 | Birthday of the “Great American” |