September 13 Thursday – The Clemens family’s summer stay in Elmira came to an end, as did the most productive season in Sam’s literary career. They traveled to Hartford by way of New York, stopping at the Brunswick Hotel on Fifth Avenue [MTBus 219; MTNJ 3: 27n46]. Sam’s notebook contains a list entitled “People to see in N.Y.” and includes Charles A. Dana, editor of the New York Sun; William Swinton, journalist and editor of Swinton’s Story-Teller; Dean Sage (about the Oregon & Transcontinental stock he’d recommended that Sam bought on margin); Daniel Whitford of the New York law firm Alexander & Green; and Noah Brooks of the New York Times. These latter two individuals were key contacts in Duncan’s lawsuit against the Times [MTNJ 3: 58&notes].

William H. Gillette wrote, “If Mallory calls or writes to you, stand on him. I am having no end of trouble—may have to go for him yet. As I had a specific contract—which he cannot evade—for payment of no. 2 Royalty” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Will not consider an proposition from Mallory till he satisfies Gillette”