March 29 Tuesday – In Rome, Sam cabled a one-liner to Henry C. Robinson’s Mar. 28 cable:
No, it is the only hold I have on P[aige] [MTP; also NB 31 TS 34].
Sam’s notebook:
Hotel Molaro. Capole Casi.
Did you ever see a chicken floundering frantically around in the back yard with its head off? Well it is the only exact imitation in the world of the waltz as the German dances it. Fifty chickens floundering around in furious confusion with their heads off — that is the very image of a German ball room at the time that the ladies & gentlemen believe themselves to be waltzing [NB 31 TS 34-5].
The New York Times, p.3 Mar. 30, 1892, dateline Mar. 29, “PAIGE TYPE-SETTING MACHINES” mistakenly reported that Sam had sold out his interest.
MR. PAIGE MOVES HIS WORKS FROM
HARTFORD TO CHICAGO.
HARTFORD, March 29. — The Paige type-setting machine has been removed to Chicago, the designs and models being now on the way to that city. In two weeks the last vestiges of this enterprise, which has been one of special mechanical interest here during the past fourteen years, will disappear from the city.
Mark Twain, who was extensively interested in the patents financially, sold out last year before leaving for Europe, and James W. Paige, the inventor, is now in control of the project. During the past two years Mr. Paige has been perfecting his invention, but has not yet secured the final patents in this country and in Europe.
These patents will be issued simultaneously in the United States and Europe. The models were forwarded to Chicago in a ten-ton safe, every precaution being taken to prevent loss or disclosure. The work of manufacturing the machines will be commenced this season, the company in charge being backed by a capital of $6,000,000.
Employment will be given to 500 hands in prosecuting this work. Mr. Paige says he has orders for 4,000 machines, the cost of each one being $20,000. He will take with him the skilled employees who have been engaged here on the work.
Pamelia C. Draper wrote to Sam (encl. in Draper to Whitmore, Apr. 11) soliciting funds for the Baptists of Frankford, Mo. to build a church [MTP].
Beatrice Roberts wrote to Sam, attaching a small clipping of a “curious coincidence” in response to his “Telegraphy” article [MTP].