April – Before Apr. 29, Sam hired his niece’s husband, Charles Luther Webster to take over dealings in the Kaolatype and brass ventures. Webster was 29, a civil engineer and real estate man in Fredonia. Sam realized he couldn’t see to the business details of his investments and give his writing the focus needed. (See Apr.
March 31 Thursday – In Hartford Sam, soured on the brass-engraving process, wrote two letters to Dan Slote:
March 30 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to James R. Osgood thanking him for books sent and requesting another. About Jesse Leathers’ manuscript:
March 28 Monday – N. Nott of Hartford billed Sam $11.40 for 146 feet of wood, paid [MTP]. Western Union bill for Mar. 31 shows a telegram to New York on this date (see entry for others).
March 27 Sunday – Conard J. Warren wrote a begging letter for a distressed lady from Washington DC. Sam noted, “Never heard of him before” on the env. [MTP].
March 26 Saturday – Sam wrote from Hartford to James R. Osgood on sales figures and press releases for Tramp [MTLTP 135].
March 24 Thursday – William Bryan, Jr., proprietor wrote from Branford, Conn. with details on rooms at the Montowese House [MTP].
March 23 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to the American Publishing Co., asking that his “several books” be sent to “Joseph T. Goodman, Fresno City, Cal.” [MTP].
March 22 Tuesday – N.Y., New Haven & Hartford R.R. billed Sam $2.31 for “transporting ½ bbl wine”; paid; Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Co. billed $1.22 for telegrams: Mar. 15 to Boston, Mar. 22 to N.Y. [MTP].
March 21 Monday – The New York Times reported under “Literary Notes” on page 3:
—It is rumored that James R. Osgood & Co. have engaged Mark Twain to prepare a “Cyclopedia of Humor”
Western Union bill for Mar. 31 shows a telegram to New York on this date (see entry for others).