January 4 Saturday – The Hartford Courant of Jan. 6, p.8 reported in “The Cliff Dwellers”:

Mr. Frederick H. Chapin of this city gave a most interesting talk Saturday evening at the Collins Street Classical School to the Archeological Club on the subject of the Cliff Dwellers. A number of guests were present, including Mr. S. L. Clemens, the Rev. Mr. Twichell, the Rev. S.J. Andrews, Dr. G.W. Avery, J.B. Bunce, and Mr. Seth Talcott. Mr. J. Coolidge Hills operated the stereopticon and threw upon the canvass a large number of beautiful and amazing pictures, whose interest it is scarcely possible to exaggerate.

Frank E. Bliss for American Publishing Co. wrote to Sam enclosing $840.21 in settlement for all royalties on his old books to Jan. 1, 1890 [MTP].

Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam:

Your kind goodbye received. I shall make it a point to see the gentleman you speak of & give him our message. / I have my arguments well in hand, and shall do my best to get the book. I shall try and make Marston do most of the talking….700 orders for “Yankee” this morning [MTP].

Note: Hall was on the way to England to negotiate with Edward Marston of Samson Low & Co. for the US rights of Henry M. Stanley’s book, which they would fail to obtain. The firm would later be called Samson Low, Marston & Co. even though Marston had been a partner since 1856.

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam: “My conscience smites me for not sending you a Christmas gift…Is it too late? Would you accept my sketch of a play? You might get useful hints; even if you should wipe out all my dialogues…” [MTP].

Jane Clemens wrote to Aunt Ann [MTP]. Note: miscataloged as to SLC.

C.C. McCabe wrote a short note on Methodist Episcopal Church, N.Y. letterhead asking for a copy the sketch “of how you dealt with a Newspaper Reporter” [MTP].