January 9 Wednesday – In the morning Sam, Joe Twichell and Isabel Lyon arrived back in New York [D. Hoffman 77]. Twain told the press, “Please don’t say I have been away for my health. I have plenty of health. Indeed, I’ll give some of it away to anybody who needs health” [New York Times, Jan. 10, 1907].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “We anchored at Pier 47 this morning, but were a long time doing it because we had to avoid a sunken ferryboat. The week has been one of unbroken peace” [MTP TS 7].
Annie A. Abrams wrote on Hotel Belmont, NY notepaper to Sam. She had just purchased four sets of his books for her children. Her late father, F.E. Andrews, was on the Quaker City. Could he reply with a line about him? [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote: “He was a pilgrim in the Quaker City excursion. Remember him very well.”; listed on the passenger list, Dr. Edward Andrews [MTL 2: 385].
Moncure D. Conway wrote to Sam, proposing they meet for lunch at the Layfayette restaurant, corner of 9 Street and University Place. He wanted to bring his children, Eustace and Philip, to meet Twain. It would be the last time the two men met; Conway died in alone in his Paris apartment on Nov. 15, 1907; his body was returned to the US where a funeral was held on Dec. 14 [MTP: Welland 227; IVL Jan. 12].
Emarinne Harly Moore wrote from California, Mo. to ask Sam for his picture. Her father was Capt. Sam Harly; her husband was often compared to Twain [MTP].
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.