August 2 Monday – In New York City, about to leave for Philadelphia, Sam, at the offices of Webster & Co., 42 East 14th on Union Square, wrote to Livy:

Livy darling, I have 8 minutes before leaving for Philadelphia. It was decided by the lawyers that it would be altogether best for me to go to the trial, so of course I go. I telegraphed & also wrote the lady in Middletown [Conn.] my circumstances & that my stay in Philada would probably be several days.

I shall not go to Hartford, but if I find a note from her in Phila appointing a meeting there, all right. Note: Sam referred to Zadel Barnes Gustafson, who had suggested a meeting in Hartford (See July 25 entry).

Sam wrote of visiting Edward H. House and Koto at the Gedney House [Broadway at 40th St.]; that Edward was in “pretty fair condition” and Koto “as sweet as ever” [MTP]. Note: Sam was on his way to the Philadelphia hearing on the Wanamaker injunction request. Alexander & Green represented Webster & Co. Sam went to Philadelphia.

Thomas W. Knox wrote to Sam from New York on Lotos Club stationery. “Yours of 29th rec’d &t the invitation to drink accepted. I’ll take a cigar for mine as I’m off my drink. Reformation sanitary, not moral.” Knox wrote sympathetically of Edward House and sending men to see him [MTP].

Orion and Mollie Clemens wrote to Sam and family, each including a letter in the same envelope postmarked Aug. 2. Orion’s short note to Susy was dated Aug. 1.

The other day I sent by express to your papa your pen, Clara’s book, some fans and a handkerchief. I waited to send all together.

      I enclose some more accounts of our weather. You will see that it was uncommonly ferocious, even for us.

      We are all drooping, yesterday and today on account of being poisoned on an excursion. My appetite has not returned. The appetites of the others are not much better; Ma’s appears to be best of all. Affectionately, Your Uncle, Orion. Your Aunt Pamela looks very hollow-eyed. I hear they gave her and me pure brandy to drink. [The Twainian, Jan-Feb 1981 p4].

Mollie’s longer letter detailed the poison milk excursion episode, whereby Orion, Mollie, Pamela, Ma and others along on an excursion were poisoned [Ibid.] Note Sam’s reply to these letters on Aug 6.