August 15 Tuesday – In Norfolk, Conn. Sam wrote to Richard Watson Gilder.
I can say only a word. You & Johnson are the only organizers I am acquainted with: won’t you get up a Jerome petition & have all our fellow craftsmen sign it, & add “Mark Twain” to the list —in a large & legible hand?
Love to you all.
In haste (to put the pen down), for I am in hell with the gout./ Clemens [MTP]. Note: William Travers Jerome (1859-1934), a prominent reformer who served on the Lexow Commission invstigating political corruption. In 1898 he managed the mayoral campaign of reformer William L. Strong. At this time district attorney for New York County (1901-1909) was encouraged to run for NYC mayor, but took himself out of the race in Sept. Jerome led a continuous and independent campaign against crime and political corruption. He often led surprise raids, the most notorious against the gambling house of Richard Canfield. Jerome was the prosecutor in the sensational trial of Harry K. Thaw for the 1906 murder of architect Stanford White, fictionalized in the novel and film Ragtime (1975 / 1981), Jimmy Cagney’s final feature film.
Sam also wrote to the editor of Harper’s Weekly.
SIR,—I wish to register as a Jerome petitioner, for, although I have never seen him, I believe in him, and am grateful to him for proving that honesty in politics and office is still possible in New York, though not epidemic. Out of respect for him, his morals, and his principles, I mean to vote for him only once on election-day, but if I were free from this restraint I would make it a hundred [MTP].
Sam, still suffering from gout, also wrote to Isabel V. Lyon in Dublin, N.H.
Next week or the week after, watch Harper’s Weekly & register the words—78, by my count. I guess they will print it. Gout pretty sharp to-day; I can’t get out of bed, but do not need to, for Clara has provided every convenience I had at 21” [Fifth Ave.] [MTP]. Note: Sam stayed at the same facility (cottage) where Clara was housed. The Boston Evening Transcript, Aug. 21, 1905, p.11, “Personal” reported Sam was at the cottage “Edgewood” rented by Clara Clemens for the season.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today comes word that Mr. Clemens is confined to his room with gout. / Jean lunched with Mrs. Durfee today” [MTP TS 88].
In Dublin, N.H. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Katharine I. Harrison asking her to transfer $1,500 from the Guaranty Trust Co. to the Lincoln National Bank, and that Sam was well in Norfolk [MTP].
I can say only a word. You & Johnson are the only organizers I am acquainted with: won’t you get up a Jerome petition & have all our fellow craftsmen sign it, & add “Mark Twain” to the list —in a large & legible hand?
Love to you all.
In haste (to put the pen down), for I am in hell with the gout./ Clemens [MTP]. Note: William Travers Jerome (1859-1934), a prominent reformer who served on the Lexow Commission invstigating political corruption. In 1898 he managed the mayoral campaign of reformer William L. Strong. At this time district attorney for New York County (1901-1909) was encouraged to run for NYC mayor, but took himself out of the race in Sept. Jerome led a continuous and independent campaign against crime and political corruption. He often led surprise raids, the most notorious against the gambling house of Richard Canfield. Jerome was the prosecutor in the sensational trial of Harry K. Thaw for the 1906 murder of architect Stanford White, fictionalized in the novel and film Ragtime (1975 / 1981), Jimmy Cagney’s final feature film.
Sam also wrote to the editor of Harper’s Weekly.
SIR,—I wish to register as a Jerome petitioner, for, although I have never seen him, I believe in him, and am grateful to him for proving that honesty in politics and office is still possible in New York, though not epidemic. Out of respect for him, his morals, and his principles, I mean to vote for him only once on election-day, but if I were free from this restraint I would make it a hundred [MTP].
Sam, still suffering from gout, also wrote to Isabel V. Lyon in Dublin, N.H.
Next week or the week after, watch Harper’s Weekly & register the words—78, by my count. I guess they will print it. Gout pretty sharp to-day; I can’t get out of bed, but do not need to, for Clara has provided every convenience I had at 21” [Fifth Ave.] [MTP]. Note: Sam stayed at the same facility (cottage) where Clara was housed. The Boston Evening Transcript, Aug. 21, 1905, p.11, “Personal” reported Sam was at the cottage “Edgewood” rented by Clara Clemens for the season.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today comes word that Mr. Clemens is confined to his room with gout. / Jean lunched with Mrs. Durfee today” [MTP TS 88].
In Dublin, N.H. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Katharine I. Harrison asking her to transfer $1,500 from the Guaranty Trust Co. to the Lincoln National Bank, and that Sam was well in Norfolk [MTP].
Entry Date
Links to Twain's Geography Entries