October 16 Sunday – Kate (Kitty) D. Barstow (Mrs. William H. Barstow) wrote from Washington to Sam, who had not heard from her since she “suddenly disappeared from our sky” back in 1870, owing $157.40 for unpaid copies of IA. At that time Sam recommended her to Bliss as an agent for the sale of his books; ultimately he had to reimburse Bliss. Kitty’s letter was an apology and a general sob story about having five children and four living, from ages 2 ½ to 17 ½; about Will being out of work, after being charged with a crime (unspecified) and waiting 20 months for a trial, etc. He had been with the Census Bureau under General Walker (Francis A. Walker 1840-1897) for the past two years. Her current letter led to another plea for help to complete medical school; she promised to repay him when she practiced. She was:

“…studying medicine at Howard University—have just entered—and it will take me three years, as they will not give me credit for my two years of private study…”

Of her husband:

“His heart was so nearly broken by the disgrace of being indicted and tried for a crime—that it almost unmanned him and I often was put to my wits end for ways and means to keep our family together—Every atom of jewelry I sold to help along…” [MTP]. Note: See Oct. 19 entry, and Joe Goodman’s warning about Kitty, Jan. 22, 1884