July 30 Saturday – In Tyringham, Mass., Isabel Lyon replied to Joseph Gessford, photographer.
In returning the prints to you, Mr. Clemens wishes me to say that you may use any of the small photos that you choose for the Berkshire Topics—but he would like you to keep for him the large fine one, the one that you have marked “Splendid” and beneath your writing Mr. Clemens has written “Best of all”—
Mr. Clemens would like to know what the price would be for 2 of himself & dog—mounted 6 of the large one mounted 12 ” ” ” ” unmounted
Mr. Clemens also wishes me to say that they are so good that it is difficult to make a choice.
Very truly yours,
I. V. Lyons
Mr. Clemens thinks that the large fine one will be very good to keep in case some magazine may some day need a photograph and he can then refer them to you without having to sit again [MTP].
Jean Clemens was injured in a bad accident with a trolley car while on horseback, one of the two horses that comprised Livy’s last gift to her daughters. The local paper, The Berkshire Gleaner, Aug. 3, p.3 reported the near tragedy:
MISS CLEMENS’ ESCAPE.
——
DAUGHTER OF MARK TWAIN IN TROLLEY ACCIDENT.
Horse Backed Onto Track and was Killed, while She was Thrown to the Ground and her Escape from Serious Injury a Miracle.
Late Saturday night Miss Jean Clemens, youngest daughter of Mr. Clemens (Mark Twain) who is spending the summer at Gilder cottage in Tyringham, had a narrow escape from serious accident, by her horse backing into a trolley car just below the Pleasant street bridge in Lee.
In company with Rodman Gilder, son of Richard Watson Gilder she was taking a horseback ride, and, when near the bridge, the 10.15 car approached and her horse became frightened and backed onto the track, coming into the range of the search light too late for the motor man to stop the car without hitting her, although at that point he was slowing up for the bridge.
She was thrown violently to the ground, hitting the car in her fall, and the horse was killed. She was taken on board and brought to the village and to Dr. J.J. Hassett as soon as possible.Examination showed a rupture of a ligament of one ankle, injuries to her back which time alone will tell of, and many bruises. She had been cut by the glass from the car window and the blood made her look as though there were serious cuts, while in reality they were slight. The blood,which gave so much fright, really came from a hemorrhage at the nose.
Dr. Hassett dressed her wounds and took her to Tyringham where he has been attending her and she is slowly recovering from the injuries and shock.
Note: The New York Times also reported the accident on Aug. 2, p.1, but without the above detail.
Sebastiano V. Cecchi, Sam’s business agent in Florence, wrote to Sam, mentioning that he had taken receipt for four “Harper’s books,” including James Barnes’ The Son of Light Horse Harry (1904), a volume about Robert E. Lee; Kings and Queens I have Known (1904) by Elena Vacarescu (1868-1947) [Gribben 48, 721: MTP].