August 31 Monday – The opening night of the stage play of The Gilded Age; or, Colonel Sellers took place at the Opera House in Rochester, New York. Sam was expected to attend. Although no outbreak has since been documented, Sam telegraphed from Elmira to John T. Raymond, actor playing Sellers, that “we are threatened with scarlet fever, & I fear to leave my family.” The reviews were mixed, with several praising the play but suggesting changes [MTL 6: 215-7].

American Publishing Co. per Elisha Bliss sent notice of a Directors’ meeting Sept. 1, 7:30 pm [MTP].