To The Person Sitting in Darkness: Day By Day

June 5 Wednesday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam sent a telegram to Miss Mazie Robinson, 420 Main St, Hartford: “I HAVE TRIED HARD TO ARRANGE SO THAT I COULD ACCEPT BUT HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED PLEASE GIVE MY LOVE AND PATRIARCHIAL BLESSINGS TO THE CLUB” [MTP]. Note: the 1900 Geer’s City Directory for Hartford lists Henry S. Robinson, John T. Robinson, and Mary S. Robinson at this address on Main; John was in the late Henry C. Robinson’s lawfirm letterhead.

June 5 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “J. Ross Clemens / 110 N. 8th st. St Louis / smoker. / Rochambeau reception./ Mayor Wells. / The stolen watermelon. & skiff” [NB 45 TS 16].

Livy’s diary: “Mrs Orton Bradley & Mildred Holden here for tea, beside Mrs Whitmore” [MTP: DV161].

In Columbia, Mo. Sam wrote to Charles E. Still. “I remember you very well, & I wish I could accept your kind invitation, but my time is filled up & I am obliged to deny myself the pleasure” [MTP].

June 5 Friday – Hartford: Sam’s notebook: “Interview with Ward Jacobs, Chas. Clark, & Geo. Gilman” [NB 46 TS 18]. Note: See Sam’s letter to the Company’s stockholders, dated after June 10.

June 5 Sunday – At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence, Olivia Louise (Livy) Clemens died of heart failure at “a little past 9” in the evening. She was 58 years old [June 6 to Aldrich, Howells]. Paine gives a detailed account of the hours before Livy’s death (other reminiscences vary slightly in detail):

June 6 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “A.A. Adee Asst. Sec. State 1601” [NB 44 TS 11]. Note: Alvey Augustus Adee (1842-1924), Second Assistant Secretary of State under John Hay; a bachelor and bicycle enthusiast who was almost totally deaf, Adee was a recognized expert on Shakespeare and on foreign affairs, and in the office since 1869, when appointed by Grover Cleveland.

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

June 6 Friday – Paine writes of Sam’s appearances in St. Louis:

June 6 Saturday – Hartford: Sam’s notebook: “Interview with Jacobs at his bank—noon. Lunch at the Club” [NB 46 TS 18].

From NB entries, it seems that Sam likely returned to Riverdale either this evening or the following day, since he noted Samuel Bergheim’s arrival by train on Sunday.

June 6 Monday – At 2:30 a.m. at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Susan Crane.

2.30 a.m. I have been down stairs to worship that dear face, & for the first time in all these long years it gave no heed. How beautiful it was; & young, & smooth, & rounded, & how sweetly reposeful! I can carry that picture clear & fadeless in my heart until my own happy time shall come.

June 7 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Go with Mr Rogers” [NB 44 TS 11].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Charles Erskine Scott Wood, in Portland, Ore. Wood was an old West Point man, and a member of the Anti-Imperialist movement.

I am so sorry you interred that noble poem in an obscure publication. It should have been sent to the North American, whence it would have been copied into even hostile publications purely on account of its merit as a poem.

June 7 Saturday [estimated date location as label was in a dangling PDF box]

Sam’s notebook: contains a reference to a song, “When I am Gone,” and his intention to use the song in his next Tom and Huck story [Gribben 759; NB 45 TS 16]. Note: In London in 1897, Sam had recalled this song when thinking of Susy’s death [NB 39 TS 58].

Livy’s diary: “Julie & Ida came & spent the night—, dined with us & breakfasted Sat. morning” [MTP: DV161].

June 7 Sunday – Riverside, N.Y.: Sam’s notebook: “Bergheim—arr. By 11.17 train?” [NB 46 TS 18].

June 7 Tuesday – At 7 p.m. at the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam wrote to Richard Watson Gilder. The content suggests Sam had also included Gilder in his telegraphing of Livy’s death.

I have been worrying & worrying to know what to do; at last I went to the girls with an idea: to ask the Gilders to get us shelter near their summer home. It was the first time they have not shaken their heads. So to-morrow I will cable you & shall hope to be in time.

June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ 27th birthday. Sam took a quick trip to Elmira for the funeral of J.D.F. Slee, who died the day before [Wisbey’s notes per Mark Woodhouse, Elmira College].

Sam’s notebook: “E.W. Fairchild 326 Clinton ave Bridgeport, Ct / V.P. Gibney M.D. 16 Park Ave N.Y.” [NB 44 TS 11].

June 8 Sunday – Clara Clemens’ 28th birthday.

June 8 Monday – Clara Clemens’ 29th birthday.

Sam’s notebook: “Visit & ask Duneka if he has proof that [Bliss] has transgressed. Show MS to Mr. Rogers. / [Horiz. Line separator] / See Collier & Mr. Rog. / [Horiz. Line separator] / is it 1/2 above cost on all books, old & uniform?” [NB 46 TS 18].

June 8 Wednesday – Clara Clemens’ 30th birthday.

Sam’s notebook: “54 lamenting cablegrams have arrived—from America, England, France, Austria, Germany, Australia. Soon the letters will follow. Livy was beloved everywhere” [NB 47 TS 12].

At the Villa Reale di Quarto near Florence Sam sent a cable to Richard Watson Gilder: “Gilder we want your cottage next your house for the summer at end June” [MTP].

June 9 Sunday – In Elmira, Sam acted as pallbearer at the funeral services for J.D.F. Slee (John De La Fletcher Slee; 1837-1901) who died on June 7. The Elmira Daily Gazette, June 10, 5:2, reported the funeral:

LATE J.D.F. SLEE

———

The Funeral was Held at the Residence Sunday Afternoon.

———

June 9 Monday – Sam arrived home in Riverdale at 6 p.m. after a 30 hour trip from St. Louis [June 10 to James R. Clemens].

T. Shaw Hall, N.Y.C. paper dealer, wrote to Sam, recalling his “Golden Arm” story in Chickering Hall, which made a fat lady shoot “a foot and a half into the air” when he got to the punch-scare line. He enclosed a copy of an advertisement (booklet) and asked if Sam “possibly had some old jokes” he might offer for next year’s advertisement [MTP].

June 9 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook : “Mr. Perkins / after 8 p.m. / [Horiz. Line separator] / Arr. Boston 3 pm / leave at 3.54 same station (Terminal) / arr at New Bedford 5.23” [NB 46 TS 18]. Note: Sam was planning the trip to Fairhaven; he would go sometime between June 12 and 14. On June 25 Sam referred to George W. Perkins in a letter to Sue Crane as the man who would provide a tugboat at Riverside to take Livy down river to Hoboken, for the first leg to Dublin, N.H.

June 9 Thursday – In London William Dean Howells wrote to Sam, having rec’d his of June 6:

March 1 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Dinner at Eno’s 8” [NB 44 TS 6].

E. Vauluf of St. Augustine, Fla. wrote to Sam, “all honor to you for standing by them” (the Boers) [MTP].

March 1 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Leave 9.14-ar. 9.40—be at 115 Broadway 10 a.m. testify before Commissioner Dulon (for Prussia). See 12 stories drawer. Waiting room. / Delmonico 44th St at 2 o’clock. Then 3 or 4 at Grand Central” [NB 45 TS 4]. Note: after testifying, Sam intended to luncheon then return home late in the afternoon.

South Jersey Republican – Hammonton N.J. March 1, 1902

March 1 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two notes to Livy, the first is now dated by virtue of the reference to the baby born on Feb. 28 (“yesterday”) [MTP].

March 1 Tuesday – Elmira College Club wrote to Sam that his annual dues of $1 per year had not been received [MTP]. Note: “Sent 2.00.”

March 1, after – Isabel V. Lyon wrote a note for Sam to Livy concerning a Feb. 29 letter received from Miss Emily Katherine Bates.

March 10 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora Wh[eeler] Keith ? | Mrs. Boyle here 7.30” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Moncure D. Conway, now in the City. Sam wrote in care of Harper’s.