August 22 Saturday – The S.S. Paris arrived in New York. Clara Clemens recalled the events:
Mother decided that she and I should go to America while Father might attend to the house and other affairs in England. We could not rid ourselves of a heavy depression all the way across the unending Atlantic Ocean, although no warning note had been evident in the cables or letters. The days dragged on, but at last we could say, “Tomorrow we shall hug that darling girl and start to nurse her back to health!”
The morrow dawned and with the new day stalked the herald of grief. On my way to the saloon for letters, I was told the captain wished to speak to me. We met in the companionway. He handed me a newspaper with great headlines: “Mark Twain’s eldest daughter dies of spinal meningitis.” There was much more, but I could not see the letters. The world stood still. All sounds, all movements ceased. Susy was dead. How could I tell Mother? I went to her stateroom. Nothing was said. A deadly pallor spread over her face and then came a bursting cry, “I don’t believe it!” And we never did believe it [MFMT 170-1].
Paine writes, A tugboat with Dr. Rice, Mr. Twichell, and other friends of the family went down the bay to meet the arriving vessel with Mrs. Clemens and Clara on board. It was night when the ship arrived, and they did not show themselves until morning; then at first to Clara….Susy already had been taken to Elmira, and at half past ten that night Mrs. Clemens and Clara arrived there by the through train [MTB 1024].
Livy and her surviving daughters traveled to Elmira for the funeral and burial of Susy Clemens, as the following article shows.
The New York Times, Aug. 23 p.4 “LEARNS OF HER DAUGHTER’S DEATH” is somewhat at variance with Clara Clemens’ memoir:
Mrs. Clemens Faints When the News is Broken to Her.
Among the passengers who arrived yesterday [Aug. 22] on the American Line Steamship Paris were the wife and daughter of Samuel L. Clemens, (Mark Twain,) whose eldest daughter, Olivia Susan Clemens, died on Tuesday night last, at the home in Hartford, Conn.
Mr. Clemens, who was expected also, had started with his wife and Miss Clara, the second daughter, when news of their eldest daughter’s illness reached them, but was detained on business at the last moment in Southampton. He, therefore, was advised of the death by cable while Mrs. Clemens and the sister were on the ocean.
They were notified by Dr. Rice, a friend of the family, who boarded the Paris at Quarantine. The mother was prostrated and swooned when the news was conveyed to her.
A carriage awaited the party at the pier, and they went directly to the Grand Central Station.
Mr. Clemens sailed from Southampton yesterday for New-York.
Note: even then the Times got things wrong. Business did not keep Sam from sailing and he did not sail from Southampton on Apr. 22.