December 11 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon wrote to John A. Kirlicks: “Mr Clemens asks me to write for him & thank you very much for your pleasant letter & the poem & the little pamphlet. He wishes me also to say that such messages as yours are always welcome” [Gribben 384]. Note: Gribben cites from a letter of 7 June 1977 from Kevin B. Mac Donnell, who he says “speculates” that the publication referred to was I’ve Got the Blues Tonight & Other Troubles (1896) by Kirlicks. See other entries on Kirlicks.
John R. Chamberlin for the American Plasmon Co. wrote to Sam [MTP]. On or after Dec. 11 Isabel Lyon acknowledged receipt of his letters; Sam was unable to attend the latest board meeting and was also unable to visit his office to inspect the minutes, and would “esteem it a favor” to receive copies [MTP].
Issac H. Blanchard, printers, NYC wrote to Sam: “The book entitled ‘The Fonetic Speller’, sent you under separate cover, is such a result of the life of Professor Story, recently deceased, as to have induced me to publish the work” [MTP]. Note: he included several “If’s” should Sam like the work and want to praise it.
John R. Chamberlin for the Plasmon Syndicate wrote to Sam. “Our secretary called you up yesterday with a view to making an appointment with you as Vice-President of the Plasmon Company of America to confer with Mr. J.D. Campbell, with regard to the vacancy still existing in the Board of Directors, and which we understand you desire to have filled by Mr. R.A.M. Hobbs.” He referred to being told by Miss Lyon that this matter should be handled by Ashcroft but Chamberlin objected to Ashcroft being in that position [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote a reply on separate sheet:
Dear Sir: / I acknowledge receipt of your letter, & would say, that owing to an engagement I was unable to be present at the Board Meeting & am not now able to visit your office in order to inspect the minutes you kindly offered…would esteem it a favor it you would send me a copy of the minutes. The books of the Co have been balanced & are at 24 Stone St. Will you kindly address all communications at 24 Stone St. instead of 21 Fifth Ave. / Very Truly Yours…[MTP].
Joe Twichell wrote to Sam enclosing a newspaper clipping (not specified but likely from the Courant) about Miss Ellen M. Case bequeathing $10,000 of her fortune to Rev. Twichell.
Dear Mark / Congratulate us. By what other peoples wealth has brought us all along, we have certainly been the richest poor folk I ever heard of.
Harmony wants me to tell you that she has just received a letter from a lady—an Englishwoman, Miss Riddell—a nurse-founder of a leper hospital in Japan—friend of Mitzukuri from whom she brought a most hearty introduction to us (she was here six months or so ago) saying that she (Harmony) promised her that if and when she (Miss R.) should ask for it, she (Harmony) would give me a note to you;—and will she please do so now. Harmony says that probably she made the promise, but wishes we hadn’t. However, she is going to keep it to the extent of sending Miss R. her card with your name and Miss Riddell’s on it.
So be on the lookout for her. She is a fine woman though. We liked her ever so much. / Yours aff… [MTP]. Note: on top of the clipping, Lyon wrote for Sam: “No one could be more gratified than Sam, for part of that money was mine. Old Case stole it from me”. Miss Case may have been the daughter of Newton Case; see vol I entries.