January 16 Friday – Sam took the train for Hartford shortly after 2:30 p.m., the time noted on his letter to Kate Foote in response to her invitation of Jan. 14 (not extant). “…recent deaths in our family circle forbid me to assist at any public function for the winter” [MTP]. Note: Olivia Lewis Langdon passed away on Nov. 28, 1890.

J.D. Pyatt for Workingmen’s Free Library Committee wrote a letter of thanks to Sam for the two sets of his books sent earlier in the month [MTP]. See Jan. 2 & 9 entries.

The Hartford Courant of Jan. 15, p.8, “City Briefs” reported that Charles Noel Flagg’s portrait of Sam, “which Mr. Clemens regards as far the best likeness of himself that has ever been made,” would be on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this day at Flagg’s studio in the Cheney building.