October 6 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Edward House. Evidently House had written suggesting he wanted to visit but didn’t have an exact day. Sam told him, “you come when your affairs permit; just choose the time which suits you best,—we are wholly unhampered.” Sam mentioned “those lovely young girls of Perkins’s” and “a crying baby which keeps Mrs. Clemens awake & busy four-fifths of the night” [MTLE 5: 170].
October 5 Tuesday – Billed from C.G. Gunther’s Sons, New York, for seal and beaver coat and muff, $420.00; paid on Oct. 8 [MTP].
October 4 Monday – Sam paid for the Daily Courant, period Apr. 1, 1880 to Oct. 1, 1880 [Gribben 299].
October 2 Saturday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Frank Fuller in New York City. Sam recommended Fanny Hesse to Frank’s friends, mentioned the new baby, and thanked him for an invitation but he’d received it just as they were just starting for Hartford [MTLE 5: 169].
October 1 Friday – Howells wrote from Boston to Sam.
October – Catherine (Katy) Leary (1856?-1934) was hired as Livy’s personal maid. She stayed with the family until 1910 [MTNJ 2: 396n136].
September 30 Thursday – The Oct. 31 bill from Western Union shows a telegram sent to Elmira, recipient unspecified (see Oct. 31 entry).
September 29 Wednesday – Sam was invoiced by the Gilsey House, New York for $171.80, including rooms, baggage costs, meals, wine & bar, carriages, messages and $25 cash [MTP]. This would suggest the Clemens family left New York for Hartford, but it may have been the day after. Also purchased was a $14 cloak from Arnold, Constable & Co., N.Y., paid Oct.
September 28 Tuesday – Elisha Bliss died [MTNJ 2: 353]. Twichell would speak at his funeral; Twichell’s message would be printed in 1882 [MTP].
T.A. Wales, M.D., Elmira billed the Clemens family for 39 visits from July 5 to Sept. 27; bill marked paid [MTP].
September 27 Monday – The Clemens family left Quarry Farm and Elmira and took the special “hotel car” for the ten hour ride to New York City, where they stayed three days at the Gilsey House. Invoiced by Arnold, Constable & Co., N.Y., blankets and a shawl, for $7.75 [MTP].