December 5 Saturday – Sam’s new guestbook:  

Name  Address  Date  Remarks

Robert Collier  New York  Dec. 5-6                      ——-  à Collier’s Weekly

& his better nine-tenths    “       “                       ———  à  (“Mrs. Sallie”)

Isabel Lyon’s journal:  Mother went to Hartford, and I took her out to the station in the coupe, the old, old Clemens coupe. In the afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Collier left & the King and Benar & I settled into a sweet evening. At dinner the King talked a lot about Geology, a never failing topic of interest for him. Just now he is reading Hugh Miller on the Rocks & after a billiard hour he swings into the dining room primed for talk. The wonder and mystery of the earth never lose their mysteries for him [MTP: IVL TS 82]. Note: The Testimony of the Rocks, etc., by Hugh Miller (1802-1856) [Gribben 468].

James Newton Clemens, M.D. wrote from Carrsville, KY to Sam, enclosing two letters from relatives  James M. Clemens and Mary C. Clemens from St. Louis “to establish our relationship.” He was b. Apr. 5, 1835 and his handwriting was very shaky [MTP].

Susan W. Clune wrote from Boston, Mass. to Sam with “tardy” birthday wishes [MTP].

N. Lafayette-Savay for the American Civic Alliance wrote to advise Sam had been granted honorary membership; if he accepted they wanted him at their conference on Dec. 21 [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 9 MLH”

Dr. Charles L. Meriwether wrote from Lousiana, Mo. to Sam with birthday wishes, inviting him to spend his 74th with him; born on the same day, it would be Meriwether’s 32nd [MTP].

Mrs. Oscar Robinson wrote from Colusa, Calif. to Sam with birthday wishes and stuffed figs, which she assured him weren’t poison [MTP].

F.B. Vandegrift & Co., NYC wrote offering to sell a buffalo head that one of their correspondents had in Banff, Alta, Canada [MTP].