March 27 Wednesday – Sam attended a luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel given by Count Arthur de Jcherep-Spiridovitch (1851-1926), who eulogized the Russian Czar. Sam paid some compliments in introducing the Count. The New York Times, Mar. 28, p.9 reported the event. Evidently, Mark Twain’s remarks were not recorded.
John Mead Howells presented the plans for the new house in Redding, Conn. to Clara Clemens, who approved them. Hill writes that Sam “refused even to discuss the subject of the new construction” [171]. Note: The builder of the Redding house, Philip Nichols Sunderland, recalled first meeting Twain when he went with John Mead Howells to get the contract signed. This may have been that day, but likely somewhat later, after Clemens had had time to study the plans. He mentioned having signed the contract in a letter to H.H. Rogers on May 29, 1907.
Isabel Lyon’s Journal: I went down to the cellars of the Equitable Building, 120 Broadway to go over 11 cases of books and papers belonging to the Webster Publishing Co. There were great hydraulic engines all about me and their companionship and the companionship of the grimy engineers was pleasant. I condemned 5 cases which were just old ledgers, but among the other cases of letters, etc. I’ll find something. I ran upon a sketch of Mr. Aldrich’s life in ms. written by Mr. Howells which I brought home, and there are a lot of G.C. Stedman letters.
The King lunched with Count Spiridowitch at the St. Regis. Gabrilowitsch came in about dinner time and we had a chat about Count S., who they say isn’t a count at all. Miss Harrison and Dorothea G. dined here. Dorothea was very charming, C.C. was beautiful, very beautiful in a pale violet gown with a great bunch of violets at her belt, and Miss Harrison was as stately and handsome as a Duchess of Towers. John Howells lunched here to show the house plans to C.C. When we were up in the garret looking at the carved mantel there, he suggested green for the big living room. But the King hates and hates and damns green. Oh, it mustn’t be [MTP TS 44-45].
W.J. Armstrong wrote from Patterson, NJ to Sam, announcing he’d rec’d a patent on an adjustable chair that he wished to show Clemens [MTP].
E.H. Hawley wrote from Danbury, Conn. that he’d been informed of a need for a manager of Sam’s farm at Redding; he was looking for such a position [MTP].
Emily Ladenburg (Mrs. Adolf Ladenburg, widow) wrote on “The Warrington / 161 Madison Avenue” letterhead to Sam. “I am so glad you are coming to me on Friday. It will be such a pleasure to have you and Colonel Harvey with me” [MTP]. Adolf was mysteriously lost at sea in 1896 after boarding the Niagara at Nassau for a sea return to New York [NY Times, Feb. 24, 1896, “Banker Lost at Sea”]. The widow was likely a friend of Harvey’s. She went to London in 1922 and no later death notice was found in the Times.
Somtime shortly before Mar. 27 Major General Count Arthur de Jcherep-Spiridovitch sent Sam a postcard invitation to lunch on this day at 1 p.m. [MTP].
Emma N. Warfield (Mrs. Edwin Warfield, Governor) wrote on Executive Mansion, Annapolis, Md. stationery to thank Sam for the warm welcome, the delightful people and charming dinner; she urged Lyon and Clara to spend time with them when they came; and offered a day of sailing on the Chesapeake should Clemens come that way [MTP]. Note: on Apr. 4, Edwin Warfield wrote to Miss Lyon with his thanks.
Rolla Wells, Mayor of St. Louis, wrote for the Daughters of the Confederacy to again invite Sam to speak at the erection of a memorial monument in St. Louis [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter: “Answrd Apr. 16, ‘07”
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.