April 26 Thursday – Sam wrote a very long and extraordinary letter (32 pages MS.) from Guy’s Hotel in Baltimore to Livy, describing his visit to the automated and palatial estate (“Alexandroffsky”) of Thomas DeKay Winans (1820-1878), an important and wealthy railroad pioneer who had made his money building a railroad with his brother William, and Major George Washington Whistler for Czar Nicholas I of Russia. Winans devoted his later years to creating a series of ingenious inventions, including improvements in organs, pianos, ventilation, and plumbing, most of which, it seems, fascinated Sam no end. He drew sketches of various Winans inventions within his letter [MTLE 2: 47-56]. The visit to the house entranced Clemens.

Sam also sent a one-liner to his attorney, Charles Perkins, asking him to tell Bergen that Perkins was awaiting instructions. The purpose or context of the note is unknown [MTLE 2: 57].