May 7 Tuesday – Sam wrote daughter Jean on May 14 after his return from Annapolis that he spent “the 7 to meet engagements.” He did not specify; no more is known.
Clemens gave Isabel Lyon power of attorney to sign checks for him [Hill 222]. The Lyon- Ashcroft MS contains the full text of this document, as follows:
Know all men by these presents, that I, Samuel L. Clemens, of the city and state of New York, have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and appoint Isabel V. Lyon of the same city, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name, place and stead, to exercise a general upervision over all my affairs and to manage all my property both real and personal and all matters of business relating thereto; to lease, sell and convey any and all real property wheresoever situated which may now or which may hereafter at any time belong to me; to demand, collect and receive rentals of such property, to make repairs to any buildings thereon, to keep any and all dividends, interest and moneys due and payable to or become due and payable to me; to satisfy and discharge all mortgages; to sell, assign and transfer any and all stocks, bonds and mortgages belonging to or which at any time belong to me; to change any and all of my investments and to make investment of any and all of the moneys belonging to me or which may come into her hands, that she may deem advisable; to draw checks or drafts upon any banks, banker or Trust Company, or any financial institution with which or whom I have or may at any time hereafter have moneys on deposit or to my credit; to endorse either for deposit, collection or transfer any and all notes, checks, drafts or bills of exchange now or hereafter payable to me or to my order; to prosecute and defend, compromise and settle suits and legal proceedings and to retain and employ attorney and counsel for such purpose or otherwise, to protect my interests; to release and discharge as my attorney may deem proper any and all claims and demands in my favor of any kind or nature, and to make sign, seal acknowledge and deliver any and all receipts, acquittances, discharges, satisfaction pieces, transfers, assignments, agreements, deeds or other instruments under seal or otherwise which in the judgment of my said attorneys may be necessary, appropriate or proper, giving and granting unto my said attorney full power and authority to do and to perform any act or thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all interests and purposes as I might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or her substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of May, 1907.
Sealed and delivered:
(signed) SAMUEL L. CLEMENS.
In presence of:
(signed) Ralph S. Hull
State of New York :
County of New York : ss.
On this 7th day of May, 1907, before me personally came Samuel L. Clemens, to me personally known to be the individual described in, and who executed the foregoing instrument, and he acknowledged to me that he executed the same.
(signed) Ralph S. Hull.
Notary Public.
New York County.
Note: this would be revoked in March, 1909 during the controversy of embezzlement raised by Clara Clemens.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “I spent an hour or more with J. Howells” [MTP TS 56]. Note: Lyon was directing the design of the Redding house with John Mead Howells, architect.
John Mead Howells wrote to Sam with results of the contractor bids on the proposed Redding house—Mr. Sunderland of Danbury Conn. won the bid, which was reduced further to $27,236. On Sam’s notification they could commence work immediately [MTP].
Florence Duncan Jones wrote from Staten Island, N.Y. to ask Sam to return her manuscript on Christian Science that she’d sent for his opinion [MTP]. Note: Jones’ letter was previously catalogued Sept. 7, 1907. Sam dictated to Miss Lyon who wrote on the letter: “Dear Madam: / I have read the first half of the article but it does not interest me, because, to me, reasonings (or attempted reasonings) from C.S. are as vain & empty & wearisome as are discussions of theology & other forms of gas. I have no reverence for theologies & I take no interest in them. I take a strong & indestructible interest in Mrs. Eddy. But this is merely because she is picturesque & unusual. I take the same interest in Satan.” This reply also shows as May 27, with slightly different wording. It is likely Lyon and/or Sam edited the final letter from this copy. See May 27 to compare versions.
An unidentified person wrote on Writers Club stationery, London to urge Sam to write a life of Christ [MTP].