December 21 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Edmund Clarence Stedman, now in Brownsville, N.Y.

“Mr. Clemens wishes me to write for him to thank you for your invitation to lunch with you and the members of the Academy of Arts and Letters on January seventh, but to say that he must decline, for he is not accepting any invitations this year” [MTP].

William Evarts Benjamin wrote to Sam. “Herewith I am sending you two contracts, for the sale of your property at Tarrytown, as prepared by Mr. Clute. Please sign them, have your secretary witness them and return…” [MTP].

Andrew M. Clute, NY Atty wrote to Sam. “The contracts for the sale of your Tarrytown property were signed and closed today. I received from Mr. Gardiner check for Twenty-five hundred dollars ( $2500. ) endorsed to your order which I enclose herewith” [MTP].

F.D. Hirschberg & Brothers, St. Louis, wrote to Sam, all about Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Baldwin, and matters concerning the Plasmon Co. of America, and hoping Mr. Davis would be willing to take on the management of the firm. Wheeler, who recently went to St. Louis, talked with Hirschberg and was surprised that their proxy had been given to Sam [MTP].

George W. Reeves wrote to Sam, thankful that the Tarrytown contract had been closed. Though “aggravating,” Reeves claimed to “have stuck to the matter” and regretted that Sam was ill [MTP].

Moses Allen Starr in NY wrote to Sam, feeling badly that he had recommended Dr. Kirch of Florence, and would never recommend him again [MTP].