February 26 Monday – A telegram (not extant) came to Clemens from Hartford, announcing the death of Patrick McAleer [IVL TS 23]. Note: This was likely sent by Twichell. See IVL’s Feb. 27 entry.
Sam wrote to Joe Twichell: “Shall reach Hartford about two thirty today to attend Patrick’s funeral Wednesday. I desire to be a pall bearer” [MTP]. Note: likely this was a telegram. Also included in IVL’s TS 23.
Sam also wrote to Brig. Gen. Albert Leopold Mills (1854-1916): “Dear Sir, / By permission of the enclosed post card which I think is authentic I venture to offer to the Academy a photograph of what is left of me, & add my grateful remembrance of pleasant days with the officers & the cadets of the long time ago. / Very truly yours…” [MTP: Paine TS]. Note: Mills was in the West Point class of 1879. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery at Santiago, Cuba, on July 1, 1898. Later in 1898 he was appointed Superintendent of West Point by President McKinley, a post which he held until 1906. Clemens visited the Academy in the spring of 1879. Leon writes Mills likely heard Sam speak then [131, 250]. See Feb. 28 for Mills’ reply.
Clemens’ A.D. for this day: Susy comes to New York with her mother and father—Aunt Clara Spaulding visits them at the Everett House—Aunt Clara’s ill luck with horses—The omnibus incident in Germany—Aunt Clara now ill at the Hoffman House from a horseback accident thirty years ago—Clemens takes Susy to see General Grant—Clemens’ account of his talk with Grant—Clemens gives his first reading in New York—Also tells about one in Boston—Memorial to Longfellow—And one in Washington [AMT 1: 379-385].
Sam traveled to Hartford, arriving at about 2:30 p.m. for Patrick McAleer’s funeral on Feb. 28.
Isabel Lyon’s journal:
This morning’s mail brought letters from the ends of the earth, five of them. First a letter from a Danish Unitarian Minister asking the privilege of translating Joan of Arc into his native tongue; next a letter from a Spanish actress asking an autograph; then a letter from a secretary of a Club in Canada asking Mr. Clemens to be their guest of honor; then a delightful letter from a school boy in Montpelier, France, asking for a copy of “Innocents Abroad”—a large order—Mr. Clemens said. And lastly a request from “the most enthused of his Hungarian admirers” for a word in writing.
The French boy is a dear. Mr. Clemens calls him Gertrude’s twin & would like the fun of marrying them. He plays the darlingest games.
This afternoon Mr. Paine who is a veritable Chorus of Angels, took Jean & me down to the East side through the Polish-Jew quarter where the Hebrew in every guise runs a law-abiding riot. It’s a lovely medly of street vendors of every kind. Jean is going to pack a description of it into a German essay. Through the Bowery we went into Chinatown, enchanting babies we saw & we ate chop-suey in a very nice Chinese restaurant. We bought Chinese bowls & Mr. Paine bought me a darling Chinese man [MTP TS 36-37].
T.N. James wrote from Boston to Sam asking if he would consider being the Editor-in-Chief of “Men of Mark” in New York [MTP]. Note: Sam answered on or just after this date. See below in Feb. 26 ca..
Sam also wrote (possibly a telegram) to Charles Hopkins Clark:
“Will you assemble some Cheneys & Twichells & other friends at Hartford Club Thursday [Mar. 1] & lunch them & me at my expense. / S.L.C.” [MTP]. Note: Sam would attend Patrick McAleer’s funeral on Feb. 28. This note also included in IVL TS 23.
February 26 ca. – On or after this day Sam instructed Lyon to answer the Feb. 26 offer of T.N. James that his contract with Harpers would not allow him to “take up their proposition” [MTP]. Note: if the mail was delivered on the same day from Boston, his reply would have been made prior to his leave for Hartford; if later, then upon his return to N.Y.