September 16 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Frank Bliss, asking if the “Moses” wood-cut by Walter Brown had been received [MTLE 4: 100].

Miss H.R. Fitch wrote from New London, Conn. “Mr Clemens, / I feel much complimented by your courteous response to my letter, and evident willingness to comply with my request.” Enclosed is a clipping “Breaking the Will” (newspaper unknown), which concerned Captain Jim Smith’s will, Mr. Thomas Fitch “one of those who are particularly interested in proving the old ruler non compos.” She asked Sam for an affidavit to be used in the trial on Sept. 23 [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “The Admiral’s Will / 1879”. The Cap’n made 5 wills: 1850, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1877. In the 1850 he made the children of Thomas Fitch, his sister’s husband, his heirs.