July 19 Monday — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Eric L. Pape in Gloucester, Mass..
Dear Mr. Pape, / By command of physicians, I am not to stir outside the limits of this farm for the next half year to come. Otherwise I would be there on the 4th of August and do my share in welcoming the President.
Jean sends cordial greetings to you and Mrs Pape... / Sincerely yours, / SL. Clemens [ebay#320365919083, May 7, 2009]. Note: the Clemens family had been invited to the Aug, 4 Gloucester Pageant to Honor President William Howard Taft. Sam was declining all invitations due to his heart condition, Eric L. Pape (1870-1938), prolific painter, sculptor, engraver, illustrator, was the master of ceremonies in charge of the artistic elements. Jean’s letter followed Aug. 3; see entry. Not in MTPO
Charles T. Lark for Collin, Wells & Hughes wrote to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens:— / At ten o’clock this morning I went to the Liberty National Bank, had the Ashcroft check for $1,500 certified, and am enclosing herewith duplicate slip showing that the same was deposited to your account.
I had a very satisfactory talk with Mr. Freeman and found that the only cancelled checks which he had on hand were Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, all signed by you personally on May 24th, June 4th, July 1st and July 6th, 1909 for $1,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $2,500 respectively. A transcript of the account shows that there were no funds checked out of your account in this bank during the month of April, and only one check after April other than those above specified, and that was on May 1st for $1,000.
I also called to see the officials of the Lincoln National Bank this afternoon, and of a large number of cancelled checks which they have I found but one was signed “S. L. Clemens per I. V. Lyon, Secy”. This check was No. 3299 dated March 6th, 1909, drawn in favor of Guiseppe Cherubim for the sum of $75.
In case Mrs. Ashcroft or Mrs. Lyon should by any chance see you or should telephone, please remember not to promise immunity in consideration of the re-deeding of the property [“Lobster Pot”’] and the payment of the $1,500 above mentioned, but simply tell them as I told them at the time of our interview, that any further action on your part with reference to the accounts must be left wholly to your discretion, without promise of any forebearance whatsoever. You understand we must not place ourselves in the position of in any way compromising any criminal action which we might be called upon to take.
Thanking you for your many courtesies. ..[MTP].