October 6 Saturday – Sam telegraphed Will Bowen, his old childhood friend.

I want you to come right down and stop-over Sunday with me take a hack at the station and drive straight to my house [MTP]. Note: Bowen did visit — see Sam to Bowen Nov. 4, 1888.

Sam also telegraphed Augustin Daly, saying they would love to accept but that his work kept him at home [MTP]. Note: Daly quite often invited the Clemenses to theater productions. Not only was he a good friend, but Daly probably recognized that when the buzz passed around that Mark Twain would attend the house would be a bit more packed. See Nov. 1 bill; this telegram cost 0.81.

Rev. George Bainton (1847-1925) wrote to Sam, as he did to many other authors, in preparation for a book he would publish in 1890. (The Art of Authorship: Literary Reminiscences, Methods of Work, and Advice to Young Beginners, Personally Contributed by Leading Authors of the Day.) Sam would give Bainton plenty to quote from (see Oct. 15). When the book came out the N.Y. Times announced:

An easy way to make an interesting book is the way chosen by Mr. Bainton. Instead of writing it himself, he appealed to nearly two hundred of his eminent contemporaries for assistance. Very good-natured of them and very fortunate for him was it that this distinguished band of authors responded to the appeal with cordiality and to some real purpose. [Aug. 17, 1890 p.11, “Authors and their Art”].

W.B. Benoist for San Francisco Typographical wrote to Sam enclosing a copy of The Union Printer, in which he wrote, “you will doubtless see the names of a few who once worked with you at the case and who are ‘still there’ among the number being L.P. Ward who, in those by-gone days claims to have shared his sumptuous couch with you” [MTP]. Note: Lewis P. Ward: “In 1864 … a compositor for the Alta California and a well known gymnast. For a time he was Clemens’ roommate and often his companion” [Branch, Clemens of the Call 223]. See also Ward’s letter, Feb. 23, 1889.