September 14 Sunday – In York Harbor, Maine : Sam’s notebook: “Young Mercer was at Cadwalader’s—he is to produce the historical ceramics for the new capitol at Harrisburg [Pa.]” [NB 45 TS 27]. Note: Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), archeologist, tile-maker, designer, made tiles used in the floor of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Other Mercer tile collections were used at Rockefeller’s New York estate, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the casino at Monte Carlo. Insert: Mercer tile at Pa. Capitol building
In Kittery Point, Maine William Dean Howells wrote a postcard to Sam, pasting a clipping lengthwise titled, “Millions of Corncob Pipes,” about the Meerschaum clay found only in the Missouri river bottoms within a 60 mile radius of Washington, Mo. Howells did not write on the postcard. Sam wrote above and below the clipping, “By the handwriting [on the address] I see that Howells sent me this. He told me about this pipe several weeks ago. Is it true, Dr. Jim? Do you know the pipe? / SLC” [MTP; not in MTHL]. Note: Sam’s note was either a directive to Isabel Lyon or he forwarded the postcard within an envelope to “Dr. Jim,” James Ross Clemens, St. Louis.