December 30 Friday – Herbert Ashcroft of the Koy -Lo Co. wrote to Sam. “I am today in receipt of a cable from my brother stating that the London Plasmon Company will not make any contract and that they prefere to stand the ‘freeze out’ with which they are threatened. He also confirms …that he will return on the ‘Lucania’ arriving her probably Saturday morning, the 7th prox.” [MTP].

E. Prentiss Bailey of the Utica Observer (NY) wrote to Sam.

Please for one moment recall our last meeting in the Lincoln National Bank, and your relation to me of how the night before it fell to you to introduce Clara Morris to her audience in Wallack’s, and then let me say that I am reprinting the exquisite verse graven upon the tombstone of your dear wife. The laughter that moves to tears has been yours to give to the world in generous measure, but these tears, these tears are sweeter still. The world will love you the more for them. / Sincerely [MTP].

William E. Benjamin wrote to Sam, enclosing the receipt for the $800 commission; the deed for the property, which Sam was to sign, would follow “in due course” [MTP].

Sebastiano V. Cecchi wrote to Sam, enclosing a bill and statement of account with Haskard & Co. Bank, Florence. He related that the Florence attorney Ubaldo Traverso “has cited 28 witnesses against your old landlady” and that she fell ill from the fact; but the case would go to court sometime in January [MTP].

James Douglas Campbell for the Plasmon Co. of America sent Sam another meeting notice, this time for Feb. 2, 1905 at 116 Broad St. [MTP].