February 16 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote through Franklin G. Whitmore to Frederick J. Hall asking him “to come to Hartford as soon as convenient…He wishes to talk with you in relation to his ‘Historical Game’ and it’s [sic] publication.” Note: with the bursting of the “Jones bubble” dashing hopes for large scale financing of the typesetter, Sam turned to every possible asset, literary and miscellaneous, to raise money. The game, which would become Mark Twain’s Memory Builder had been formulated in 1883. See July 1883 entry and others.

Barrow, Wade, Guthrie & Co. Accountants of N.Y. sent audit for Webster & Co. for 1890, showing a net profit of $7,029.57, with Sam being credited for two-thirds and Hall one-third. Overall debt, however had increased from $13,301.39 on Dec. 31, 1889 to $36,308.38 on Dec. 31, 1890 [MTP

Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam: “Your favors received. I will reply separately to Miss King’s letter.” Hall explained about the $7,000 debit item on the “Religious Encyclopedia,” which, evidently, Sam had several questions about. He also referred to “the Indian book,” his idea being to issue a cheap (50c) trade book [MTP].

Mae Harris Anson wrote from N.Y. to Sam asking for “a few facts from your own experience” in order to get her start in journalism. Sam wrote on the envelope, “Brer — perhaps it needs no answer”[MTP].

Players Club per Henry J. Magonigle sent a form letter notice that dues had not been paid for three months; that membership would be canceled if not paid within one month. Sam wrote on the envelope to Whitmore, “Brer, Has this bill ever come before? DO NOT PAY IT SLC” [MTP].