March 10 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Franklin G. Whitmore: “Mr.
Clemens bids me send at once the check for $16000 that you ask for” [MTP].
Sam’s notebook : “Jordan L. Mott 6 p.m. dinner at 7. nigger show. 17 E 47th” [NB 46 TS 11]. Note: Jordan Lawrence Mott, Jr.; see Dec. 9, 1900 entry for more on Mott. See Mar. 11 for note to Livy about this engagement with the Motts.
Helen Keller inscribed a copy of her autobiography, The Story of My Life (1903): “To Mr. Clemens / If my book finds favor in thy sight dear Friend I shall count my darkness light and each loss a privilege. / Helen Keller / March Tenth / 1903” [Gribben 365]. Note: Sam replied with thanks on Mar. 17. Tenney: “Recollections of MT are affectionate but not illuminating. There were several meetings, one of them March 31, 1895 when she was fourteen (pp.227-28). Photograph of Helen Keller with MT facing p. 138” [38]. Unless Helen was on the ship en route to La Havre, this date given by Tenney is incorrect.