March 13 Tuesday – Sam was at sea on the SS New York. Henry H. Rogers wrote to him with business details, saying he had “nothing of special interest to report.” Frederick J. Hall called on Rogers this day and reported progress in Webster & Co. affairs, and would write Sam. Rogers enclosed a letter from Charles Ethan Davis (engineer and assistant to Paige) who was angling for 5 or 6 percent in the Paige pool #1; Rogers felt they should let him have about 3 or 4 percent, “because Stone as Trustee, is carrying for him $25,000 of the stock.”

They now have on their payrolls 55 men the average of whose wages are $2.58 per day.

I have a very interesting letter from Mr. [Urban H.] Broughton concerning the affairs of the [Paige Compositor] Co. He expresses himself very positively at last in regard to the machine. He says he has given it careful study, and can see nothing to prevent it from being a mechanical success, and thinks so well of it, that he would like to avail himself of our offer and allow him to take a share. This I consider one of the best endorsements we have had, because he is a pains-taking fellow, and is going to invest his own money, without being carried in any way by me [MTHHR 44].

Note: Sam was not the only wise man to be pulled in by the Paige typesetter, as this letter shows. Still, in a PS, Rogers urged caution:

Now from what I have said in regard to [Urban H.] Broughton’s judgment of the machine, do not allow yourself to get too enthusiastic. Still if faithful and persistent endeavor will accomplish anything, I am sure the Paige Compositor will have an opportunity of speaking for itself at a later time. If it speaks correctly, that is all we desire [45]. See notes on this and page 46.