June 17 Monday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Anna Laurens Dawes, a Washington correspondent from Pittsfield Mass. and daughter of Henry L. Dawes, senator of Mass. Sam gave a reading for her young ladies’ club in 1885. (See Mar. 1, 1885, Sept. 23, 1885). Sam thanked Miss Dawes.
June 16 Sunday – W. Delancey Howe wrote from Cambridge, Mass. Commenting on Sam’s Apr. 1887 article, “English As She Is Taught.” Howe claimed to be the author of the composition “Girls” mentioned in Sam’s article, and was curious how Sam got hold of his composition. Howe wrote he hoped to “call upon you for a recommendation in English for Harvard College” [MTP].
June 15 Saturday – In Elmira †, Sam wrote a short note to Franklin G. Whitmore in Hartford, advising that he would have all the money needed on July 1. He instructed that the Bissell bank account be allowed to
…overrun a trifle. But if they make any objections let me know & I will get a note discounted that falls due July 8, & forward fill up the tank [MTP].
June 14 Friday – Henry M. Alden for Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam. Alden had just returned from vacation and had a letter from Mr. Warner about Sam’s article on that “old medical book.” Warner had quoted Sam’s price to be $50 per 800 words, which was fine if they liked the article. He asked Sam to send it [MTP].
June 13 Thursday – The Clemens family arrived at Quarry Farm [July 1 to Pamela]. As he later wrote, “death is on the threshold” — Theodore Crane was nearing the end of his life.
June 12 Wednesday – The Clemens family usually spent a day or two in New York on their way to Elmira.
Orion Clemens wrote to Sam trying to repay him for his kindness by giving him a drawing for “an improved fixture for ringing a door-bell.” He wished they would all come for a visit [MTP]. Note: Orion repeatedly expressed his thanks and desire to repay Sam in some way.
June 11 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a short note to George Washington Cable, who evidently had asked for copies of a pamphlet Sam used to have, Samuel Watson Royston’s short novel, The Enemy Conquered, or Love Triumphant. “They are lost!” Sam responded, “I have searched everywhere & cannot find a vestige of that pamphlet.” He closed “in haste” as they were “just leaving for Elmira” [MTP; Gribben 593; MTNJ 3: 490n29].
June 10 Monday –The Hartford Courant, p.8 under “City Personals,” reported: “Mr. S.L. Clemens and family leave this week for their summer home in Elmira.”
June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ fifteenth birthday.
June 5 Wednesday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam, advising they’d sent the “Cook Book as ordered to Mrs. Moffatt” and laying the matter of a book by Matthew Brady to him for consideration. The book would be “a National Portrait Gallery embracing the Presidents, Judges of the Supreme Court, Cabinet Officers and principal members of the different Senates and Congress, from George Washington down,” and would sell from $15 to $20, bound in morocco [MTP].