January 20 Monday – The New York Times, p. 9 reported on Sam’s health, as “No Worse”:
MARK TWAIN NO WORSE
———
But Still In Bed Nursing His Cold—To Go to Bermuda Soon.
There was at least one sore man in the city yesterday, and he was sore in two places at once—in his chest and in his mind. The man was Samuel L. Clemens, whom almost everybody knows best as “Mark Twain.”
At this time last year he was enjoying the sun in Bermuda. To-day his is miserable and in his bed at his home, 21 Fifth Avenue, with a bad cold. If only he had gone to Bermuda, as he did last year at the beginning of January, he and Miss Lyon, his secretary, are certain that all would have been well with him. However, just as soon as he is able, the first steamer cannot take him to the West Indies too fast for Mr. Clemens’s liking.
It was on Wednesday that Mr. Clemens contracted his chill. In hurrying to keep an engagement he got very warm, and then he cooled off too quickly. Nothing more was thought of it until Friday evening, when, dressed in a think white china silk suit, he was playing billiards at home and complained of feeling cold. He changed into another white jacket of thicker texture and continued playing, and before going to bed had a strong “hot Scotch,” but he slept badly and the next morning there wasn’t any doubt about his having a cold.
They gave him a mustard bath and Dr. Edward Quintard was summoned. He ordered Mr. Clemens to stay in bed, and that’s where he is now.
Yesterday morning the doctor said that Mr. Clemens was not any worse, but at 72 one cannot be too careful. By careful nursing it is hoped that an attack of bronchitis may be staved
Mr. Clemens is still keeping up his friendship with little Miss Dorothy Quick, daughter of Mrs. E.G. Quick of Brooklyn, whom he met on board ship last July while returning from England. Since his return Miss Quick has twice visited with him at Tuxedo, and is often a caller at his Fifth Avenue home.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Henry Watterson called to see his kinsman, the King” [MTP: IVL TS 11].
Robert Underwood Johnson for American Copyright League wrote to Sam respectfully requesting him to be “one of the representatives of the Council at the funeral of Edmund Clarence Stedman at the Church of the Messiah, Jan. 21 at 3:45” [MTP].
Rossiter Lines wrote to Sam, pasting a newspaper clipping from the Milwaukee Free Press, “Mark Twain Ill at Home.” The clipping ended with: “Dr. Quintard, his physician, said tonight that he apprehended no serious results,” to which Lines quipped that at least the bronchitis had not made Sam serious [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Answd. Jan. 23, ‘08”
George Lockitt wrote from Queensland, Australia to ask for Sam’s autograph in a letter [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Answd. Feb. 21, ‘08” and “Too busy to write letters”
Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Miss Lyon that she was sending John W. Postgate’s scenario and felt Lyon should read this before deciding to give him a 6 mos. option [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Returned the scenario”
Marion Peak Mason (Mrs. George Grant Mason) wrote from NYC to Sam. “When my two children came down to breakfast this morning they brought the inclosed and announced that it was for ‘Mark Twain.’ So at their solicitations I am sending it to you.” She hoped it would provide “an immediate cure” for him [MTP].
Polly Porter wrote to Miss Lyon enclosing a report from her father of the Oxford ceremonies [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Answd. Jan. 20, ‘08”; See earlier letter of Polly’s under 1908 entries.
Frank P. Stockbridge for the NY Herald wrote to Sam. He’d called this day but was told Sam was too sick to see him. He wanted “a few words” on vivisection as there was “a good deal of agitation over the matter just now” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Mr. Clemens not able to see anybody before sailing for Bermuda”