June 25 Thursday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Frances F. Cleveland (Mrs. Grover Cleveland) in Princeton, N.J..: “Your husband was a man I knew and loved and honored for twenty-five years. I mourn with you. S.L. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: for some reason the NY Times reported this as June 26 [June 27, p.2, “From Mark Twain to Mrs. Cleveland”].  

Isabel Lyon’s journal: I shan’t ever be able to write any thing again, for all my time, my strength are given over to the finishing and furnishing and installing the King in this beautiful home. I am savagely interested in it—not tenderly; because although in a way much of it is my creating, I have no sense that any corner of it belongs to me. Not even my own cluttered room [MTP: IVL TS 53-54].

Elias Cornelius Benedict wrote from Greenwich, Conn. to Sam.

“I expect to leave here on Sunday morning next (28th) on the Oneida to be present at Portsmouth on the 30th Inst. to attend the dedication services of the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial—& at the suggestion of our mutual friend Mr Gilder (who was obliged to decline my invitation) I write to ask if you will not do me the great favor of being my guest on the trip.” He related it was on the Oneida that the Players Club was formed; Aldrich was one of the forming group—“all who took part in the affair are dead save Mr. Bispham & myself & he is much too crippled to attend” [MTP]. Note: William Bispham.

Howells & Stokes wrote twice to Sam, with details and expenses connected with fixtures and other items for the Redding house [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Answd / June 29, 08”