January 23 Saturday – Sam was in New York City with Isabel Lyon, who became ill and was forced to return to Stormfield, where she kept her bed for a couple of weeks [Feb. 5 to Blackmer]. Notes: Sam would return home on Jan. 30. Isabel would suffer a mental and physical breakdown, caused perhaps by her great volume of work, and a growing conflict with Clara Clemens. It may have been a standard hen-house issue of control and of access to Sam’s time and attention. She stayed in bed back at Stormfield and is mentioned in several of Clemens’ letters after he returned to Stormfield on Jan. 30. On Feb. 23, Isabel Lyon went to her mother’s in Hartford to recover more fully from her breakdown. She then announced her engagement to Ashcroft. In the meantime, Clara investigated the books for Stormfield, gathering ammunition which led to Lyon’s dismissal.
Walter C. Bellows for the Children’s Educational Theatre wrote to Sam inquiring about putting on Huck Finn as a play [MTP]. Note: IVL directed him to apply to Miss Elizabeth Marbury. [MTP].
Poultney Bigelow wrote (before Jan. 23) to Sam.
My dear Mark Twain — / Are you in town, this Saturday 23—?
If so will you come dine at the Royalton in 43 str. West, between 5th and 6th next the Hippodrome. Only a few congenials, maybe 8 in all—singing and smoking. Please bring Clara with you if you can come and she be free. I am here for a week & then a week to Boston
Samuel H. Gressitt wrote from Baltimore, Md. to Sam, having returned from a world trip. In Egypt he met a guide who claimed to have been Twain’s guides when visiting the pyramids. Gressitt asked how many minutes it took Clemens to climb the Great Pyramid and if he climbed others [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Doesn’t remember but it can be found in the book”; see Oct. 5, 1867 entry (Vol. I) for visit to Pyramids.
Anna Heinrichs for the Papyrus Club of St. Louis wrote to ask Sam for “a little letter” they might read at their Feb. 19 meeting [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 27 M.L.H.”
John E. Rosser wrote from Nacogdoches, Texas to ask Sam for 200 words on the subject “Why do we laugh?” If anyone might answer that question, he felt Twain could [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 29 M.L.H.”
Samuel Johnson Woolf wrote from NYC to enlist Sam to go see his brother’s play The Vampire at the Hackett Theatre. The play was rec’d with mixed reviews and Woolf, who had painted Sam’s portrait and learned Clemens’ first play got poor reviews, felt “a word” from Clemens would help. “I shall have a box at your disposal,” and asked if he might “end him a line” about the play [MTP].