January 6 Friday – The Players Club was founded at 1.P.M. in the Red Room at Delmonico’s, New York City. Fatout writes that Sam gave a speech, but this was more of adding comments to the others, all speaking informally from their chairs after the lunch.

Prime movers were Edwin Booth and Augustin Daly. Among charter members gathered at Delmonico’s were Mark Twain, Joseph Jefferson (sent a telegram), A.M. (Albert Marshall) Palmer, Eugene Tompkins (sent a letter), James Lewis, Harry Edwards, John A. Lane (“unable to attend but sent approval of all that was done”), Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Joseph F. Daly, William Bispham, Lawrence Barrett, John Drew, Laurence Hutton, Brander Matthews, Stephen H. Olin, and General William Tecumseh Sherman. The Times review of the meeting gave the inspiration for the club as the Garrick Club of London [Fatout, MT Speaking 657; New York Times, Jan.8, 1888, p.9 “AN IMPORTANT NEW CLUB”]. Note: See Feb. 9 entry for the incorporation of “The Players”; facsimile page of signatures on Sam’s Menu card for the date next to MTB 866.

Augustus P. Chamberlaine wrote from Concord, Mass. With Happy New Year wishes and asked if Sam knew Miss F. C. Baylor, the author of “On Both Sides,” an English story. “You must read her book, pub? By Lippincott, Philadelphia 1887 — Even you will roar!” [MTP].