March 11 Monday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to the Mar. 1 reqeust from Calvin H. Higbie, enclosing the MS Higbie had sent the previous summer. Higbie had lost his copy. Sam also wanted to clarify Albert Bigelow Paine’s legitimate position as his biographer with Higbie, who evidently had misunderstood his role. Paine was “well on his way to California” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: The King is restless—the gout seems better, & I painted the foot again tonight. (I hear him sneeze.) He cannot dictate & he is much in need of a change. We have been talking up a trip to Bermuda. We should have but one night there, for the Bermudian sails every Saturday from here, but the King won’t care. He will have 5 days away from home & so I telephoned first to Mr. Howells to ask if he were not planning to go to Bermuda, but he isn’t, & then after foraging about in his thoughts he suggested Paddy Madden, & I telephoned the invitation to her & delighted her soul. So the plan is to leave here on Sat., arrive in Bermuda on Monday, sail back on Tuesday, & reach New York again on Thursday the 21 .st
“Robert Undershirt Johnson—The great American undertaker—He’ll undertake anything that can add to his popularity” [MTP TS 37]. Note: see Sam to Clara, Mar. 12.
The Junior English Class of Beloit High School, Beloit, Kans. wrote to ask Sam who was the greatest living author? They were unable to agree so would put the matter to him as “competent to judge” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Doesn’t know who is the greatest living author”
Adelaide Earle wrote from Elizabeth, NJ to ask Sam if he would give a lecture there in April or October [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answd Mch. 13 ‘07”
Clara C. Fuller wrote on Ossining School on the Hudson stationery to ask Sam to come to the school and speak to the girls [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Answrd. / Mch 13, ‘07”
Theodore E. Lyon for Barnard School for Girls, NYC wrote to ask Sam to speak to their graduating class on June 5 [MTP].
Carl M. Pihl wrote to Sam on NY Electric Music Co. letterhead, NYC asking for “a few words of recommendation” for the “Electric music that you had at your residence on last New Years Eve” [MTP].
Erica Woltereck wrote on Knox School, Lakewood, NJ stationery to Sam, “fascinated” by Sam’s Autobiography and wishing to translate it to German [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “Write to Harpers / Answrd. Mch. 13, ‘07”