January 4 Tuesday — D. Hoffman writes: “Clemens took the train to New York on Tuesday, January 4, and had dinner that night with Howells and Paine at the home of Edward Eugene Loomis, who was married to Livy’s niece, Julia O. Langdon” [144]. (Editorial emphasis.) Note: it would be the last time Howells and Clemens met. Though the date is off by one day, MTHL carries the following note:
At dinner and afterwards, they talked of the Clemeses’ butler George [Griffin], “that peerless black ex-slave and children’s idol”...of labor unions as the “sole present help of the weak against the strong,” and of dreams. When Howells left, he declared to Paine, “There was never anybody like him [Twain]; there never will be” [MTHL 850: MTB 1557]. Note: see later source for a fuller account.
Newton R. Heber wrote from NYC to offer condolences [MTP].
Dr. Edward W, Kellogg wrote from Santa Fe, Cuba to offer condolences: “To me she was still the sweet child for whom I often cared professionally...” [MTP].
Charles T. Lark wrote to Sam.
Enclosed herewith please find copy of a letter which just arrived from London relative to the Ashcroft tobacco incident, You will note that they are making further inquiries, and until this final report comes, we will hardly be in a position to advise the institution of injunction proceedings.
You will remember that Mr. Paine suggested that he thought it quite probable that the advertisement in question was in the form of a half tone or a block insert at the time it reached the hands of the tobacco firm...[He wished Sam] “a pleasant trip” [MTP].
Julia H. Pullen wrote from Memphis, Tenn. to offer condolences. She signed “Miss Jean’s nurse” [MTP].