April 1 Friday – A new contract between Charles Webster, Samuel L. Clemens and Frederick J. Hall was dated April 1, 1887. It called for the following: Sam would keep $75,000 in the firm; Webster’s salary would be increased to $3,800, an increase of $800; Hall was given the annual salary of $2,000 and also one-twentieth of the net profits, with Sam and Webster dividing the remaining profits, two-thirds and one-third [MTLTP 230n2].
Sam arrived back in Hartford at 9 A.M. He wrote Annie A. Fields about his trip back through New Haven, and about Susy’s illness.
…Mrs. Clemens was watching Susie’s pulse hammering along at 1180; but not aware of the grisly fact that her temperature was 102 (four degrees more means death, I believe. The doctor kept the temperature to himself till this morning — Susie is considerably better, now: but her mother looks older than I feel [MTP].
Sam wrote on the margin of Webster’s Mar. 30 letter about the family writing a biography of the late Henry Ward Beecher:
Telegraphed: “I approve the book & the terms. Close the contract.” (Apl. 1, 87.)
Sam delivered a speech at the Third Annual Gymnasium Exhibition of Trinity College , Hartford.
Over a thousand years ago J. Milton, a poet born in two places, one of which was Milk street, Boston, author of “Lady of the Lake, in his Life on the Ocean Wave” said ‘He who has not gymnastics in himself is fit for treason, stratagem and spoils.’ The indirect effect of the athletic atmosphere of Trinity is seen in the president and faculty who since the erection of the gymnasium have greatly increased in stature; the direct influence is shown by the young men themselves. The necessity of physical development needs no argument to-day and hardly an explanation. The moral effects I feel inclined to dwell upon. The time will soon come when the moral character of a man will be judged from his physical development. However, let me warn you against the danger of letting up or stopping altogether. I once had a bookkeeper who, taking up gymnastics actively, at once began to bud and blossom all over and extend in various directions; he relaxed his exertions and at length stopped his exercise, and in fourteen months lost sixteen pounds and stole $30,000. Let all take warning from this and keep up your physical development [Hartford Courant, Apr. 2, 1887, p.3.]
Note: The embezzler Frank M. Scott, former bookkeeper of Webster & Co. Must have been on Sam’s mind when he gave this talk for the Trinity College gymnasium exhibition. Scott had also served as the treasurer of the Roseville Athletic Club. The arrest gained much publicity in the NY Times. Due to missing cash books the exact amount of the loss was never determined, and figures from $20,000 to $30,000 are referred to.
Sam wrote to John Henry Boner, letter not extant but referred to in Boner’s May 1 [MTP].
Sam wrote to Arthur L. Shipman. Only the envelope survives [MTP].
Charles Webster wrote a one-liner asking if Sam got his letter regarding Beecher’s life? [MTP].
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3633 Mr Eugene Meyer 30.00 Piano Lesson
3634 Mssrs Smith, Northam & Co 21.82 Flour, Feed, Grain
3635 S.P. Griswold 47.66
3636 Mssrs. A.D. Vorce & Co 1.32 Paintings, frames
3637 Mssrs O.D. Woodruff 18.75
3638 Mssrs McCarty & Cleary 108.47
3639 The Hartford Club 20.20
3640 Mssrs J.G. Rathbun & co 30.25 Pharmacist
3641 Wm Simmons & Co 12.25 Boots & Shoes
3642 Mr Karl Gerhardt 200.00 Sculptor
3643 John O’Neil 60.00 Gardener
3644 Patrick McAleer 50.00 Coachman
3645 F.G. Whitmore 125.00 Finances