December 16 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to George Dolby in London informing him that he’d written Henry M. Stanley in Zanzibar. Sam had read a newspaper report that Stanley might not remain in that country until spring, as previously reported. Sam asked Dolby to keep a copy of his letter and get it to Stanley should he reach London and fail to receive the original [MTP]. Note: Dolby had arranged Sam’s lecture schedule in London in Oct. 1873 (see Oct. 7, 1873 entry).

Sam also wrote to his brother, Orion, sending Christmas love and “a check for $15 to buy 3 Xmas trifles.” Sam noted that the small check showed the machine “still has its grip on our purse,” but his hopes pointed to a February exhibition in New York [MTP].

Sam also wrote to an unidentified person:

I wish I could, but I am all balled-up with engagements and can’t [MTP paraphrase Scott & Shauhessy Catalog, Feb. 20, 1917 item 79].

George P. Bissell wrote to Sam recommending Wheeling Bridge & Railway stock as a good investment, and wrote of himself and other Hartford men buying the security [MTP].

W.J. Hamby for Western Reserve Univ. Students wrote to Sam that they’d formed the “Mark Twain Literary Society” and asked for “a few lines with autograph.’ Sam wrote, “Will dictate answer” on the envelope. [MTP].