December 23 Saturday –In Chicago Sam and H.H. Rogers had a wake-up call at 7:45 a.m. The plan was for Rogers to confer with Mr. Walker and the others, while Sam would make a quick trip to the Columbian Exposition’s “White City,” the area at the Court of Honor so-called because the buildings were made of a white stucco, which, in comparison to the tenements of Chicago, seemed illuminated. It also boasted extensive street lights, which made the boulevards and buildings walkable at night.

[Rogers] left for the conference at 9.30 & Charley Davis & I left for the White City at the same time. I was to be back at 2 to deliver final orders as to our car when the colored waiter should arrive at that hour to get them. If there was no message for me from Mr. Rogers, I was to tell the waiter to have our car attached to the Limited, leaving at 5 p.m. — otherwise, attach it to the night express, leaving at 10 p.m. Davis & I examined the White City in detail, on foot, & got back at 2, dog-tired. No message from Mr. Rogers; so I told the waiter we would leave at 5.

The absence of a message meant what was to be expected — Paige was holding out & wouldn’t sign.

H.H. Rogers soon returned and had lunch with Sam, preparing for a final meeting with George N. Stone and Dewey (Towner K. Webster’s attorney and banker) at 3 p.m. Sam did not go with the men for the 3 p.m. meeting; Rogers later reported to Sam that upon arrival he heard a heated discussion between Paige and his attorney Walker, who tried to show his client that this was the best offer he’d get. The meeting clarified some matters and left things with bankrupt Paige to decide. It was now a waiting game. Sam summarized:

That ended the Chicago campaign. There was nothing overlooked or left undone that could have been done, except the raising of Paige’s stipend to his fancy figure of $3,000 a month — & we were all opposed to that. The waiting game has been my pet notion from the beginning. I want it played till it breaks Paige’s heart. As I reason: You [Livy] can afford to wait 3 months; Webster Mf. Co. can afford to wait 6 months; C.C.[Conn. Co.] have got to wait, whether they can afford it or not — their break & life depend upon it; Mr Rogers can wait indefinitely. As far as I can see, Paige is the only one who can’t wait; to him, Time is slow with lead; every day, now, adds to his gray hairs, & spoils his sleep. I am full of pity & compassion for him, & it is sincere. If he were drowning I would throw him an anvil [Dec. 25 to Livy].

The two men left Chicago at 5 p.m. for a 30-hour return trip.