February 9 Saturday – In Hartford Sam wrote a short paragraph to Alexander Badlam, confirming that it was indeed Nelson Page’s wife who suddenly died, 24 hours after feeling ill. Sam confirmed he’d taken Page’s place and read with Johnston on Jan. 17 [MTP]. Note: Badlam was a former (1863-4) California state legislator and the subject in one of Sam’s letters to the Virginia City Enterprise, “White Man Mighty Onsartain,” Jan. 1866. Badlam would later have a book rejected by Webster & Co. but found a publisher in 1890. See Mar. 8.

Sam gave a reading at the South Baptist Church, Hartford, Kittredge Wheeler, pastor [Fatout, MT Speaking 658; MTNJ 3: 445].

Webster & Co. per Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam enclosing yet another report (not in the file). “Nothing has occurred since we saw you, except we have taken Mr. Gill up on his offer, as authorized by your telegram. We have come to no definite conclusion yet on the Grant matter” [MTP].