September 2 Saturday – Jane Clemens had moved to Keokuk to live with Orion and Mollie Clemens.

Sam wrote from Elmira to Charles Perkins asking him to make up a tax list of taxable items. Sam also wanted him to send his mother’s and Orion’s checks to Keokuk, Iowa, “henceforth, & increase Orion’s to $100 a month.”

“They jumped my tax up in such a lively fashion last year, that I sold every taxable thing I had, & put the money into manufacturing-stocks & such-like. Next year I’ll put a mortgage on the house & not have a damned thing that’s taxable” [MTP].

James R. Osgood wrote from London: “Yours of Aug 14 has reached me. I am glad to hear the Gold Dust news is no worse, it is bad enough God knows. / I have arranged everything with Chatto about the Mississippi book. Will send you copy of his letter on my return.” He was leaving on the Gallia on Sept. 9 to be in NYC on the 18th. “I fear there is nothing to be done in England with Kaolatype. They are overrun with processes of all sorts…” [MTP].

Ella Lampton wrote from St. Louis, enclosing a newspaper account of Twain’s first meeting with Horace E. Bixby. She was “in great distress for means, to finish furnishing my house,” and asked for a $200 loan “out of your abundance” [MTP].