January 3 Friday – In Hartford Sam met Edward Bellamy, author of Looking Backward: 2000-1887 (1888). Sylvester Baxter accompanied Bellamy at Sam’s invitation [MTHL 2: 622n2]. Bellamy and Baxter shared political sentiments.

Sam also wrote to Isabel Von Oppen, who had sent a manuscript. Sam wrote that he was “not connected with a magazine or other periodical” and would not be able to use her submission [MTP].

Sam also signed a letter by Franklin G. Whitmore to Judge Charles E. Flandrau, president of the St. Paul Roller Mill Co., one that Sam had owned stock in for years. The company was liquidating. Sam owned 109 shares. Whitmore sent the certificates back for payment of the 20 percent dividend the directors were paying. Whitmore also wrote for Sam to Kingsland Smith of this company advising him that Sam was not interested in Smith’s new venture, and that the shares had been returned to Flandrau [MTP].

Joe Goodman wrote at noon from the Hoffman House in N.Y. to Sam, having just left a three-hour interview and breakfast with Senator John P. Jones. “Negotiations with Jones do not thicken as rapidly or well as I could wish,” Joe wrote. Jones promised to come to Hartford again when the machine was in operation; Jones characterized it as “an unknown thing in an unknown line” [MTP].

A.F. Kelly wrote from Elmira sending Livy $60 interest on the Baxter mortgage. Sam wrote on the env: “Please acknowledge him Brer W & I will sign” [MTP]. Note: See Oct. 12 & 14, 1889. Kelly had invested in the Paige typesetter.