January 19 Sunday – In the morning Dr. Edward Quintard checked on Sam’s condition again, noting that he was “no worse” [NY Times Jan. 20, 1908, p.9 “Mark Twain No Worse”].
The New York Times, Jan. 18, 1908, ran a squib under “City Brevities” p.9:
January 18 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “King is really ill today” [MTP: IVL TS 10]. Note: bronchitis.
In the afternoon Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833-1908) died of a heart attack in his NYC apartment. He was 74 [NY Times Jan 19, 1908, p. 1, “E.C. Stedman Dies of Heart Disease.”]
At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to a reporter from the N.Y. Times, who solicited his response to the news of Stedman’s death. Sam’s dictated response ran in the Jan. 19 paper.
MARK TWAIN STUNNED.
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January 17 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Julia Langdon Loomis.
Julie dear, I wrote you a day or 2 ago, but I don’t remember what I said because I was sober at the time. But this not is to say—to-wit: The next Doe-Luncheon will happen at the above address on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. You are hereby invited. Don’t fail to come, dear.
[in left margin] Not one declined before! [MTP].
Sam also wrote to the Other Depositors of the Knickerbocker Trust Co..
January 16 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Julia Langdon Loomis (1871- 1948), daughter of Charles J. and Ida Clark Langdon.
Jan 16, I think.
Julie dear, it is 10:30 a.m., & time for the dictating to begin; but it wont for I am half full of whisky—& not yet finished. I have discovered a cold, & this is to break it up; for with my bronchital tendencies I dread a cold as the Presbyterian burnt child dreads perdition.
January 15 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frances Nunnally.
Where are you, dear? At school? I suppose so, but you haven’t told me.
What I am anxious to know is, can’t you steal a day or two & run up & see us? Miss Lyon & I will go down & board your train at Philadelphia & escort you up. Or, we will go all the way to Baltimore if you prefer. And gladly.
January 14 Tuesday – After giving several luncheons for his close male friends earlier in the “season,” Sam gave the first of his “Doe Luncheons” on this day, at the suggestion (perhaps urging) of Kate Douglas Riggs. Twelve ladies plus Twain were included in the luncheon, including Riggs, daughter Clara, Isabel Lyon, Geraldine Farrar, Henrietta Barnes Farrar (Mrs. Sidney Farrar), Mrs. Harleston Deacon, Mrs. Frank N. Doubleday, Mrs. Robert Collier, Miss Emily W. Burbank, Dorothea Gilder, Geraldine Farrar, Mrs. Farrar, Ethel Barrymore and Clara Stanchfield [Jan.
January 13 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 12 of Dorothy Quick:
You are just a dear little Dorothy, & I am ever so glad you are coming Saturday morning. We’ll have a fine holiday together. I wish a person could rent you or buy you, just as he would other choice real estate, then I wouldn’t let you go back any more.
Love & good-night, dear [MTP; MTAq 96].
January 12 Sunday – The New York Times, p.9, reported another event for this evening, where Mark Twain would be in attendance:
INVITED BY NORIDCA.
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Mark Twain, Dr. Butler, Edison, and Sir Purdon Clarke to be Singer’s Guests.
There will be a veritable herd of social lions at Sherry’s to-night, when Mme. Nordica gives her musicale for more than 400 guests. She has engaged the entire second floor suite for the occasion.
January 11 Saturday – In the evening Mark Twain was the guest of honor at a Lotos Club Dinner. The New York Times reported the event on Jan. 12, p. 2. Sam was obviously in his element:
MARK TWAIN NOW AFTER COMPLIMENTS
Says at Lotos Club Dinner He’s Collecting Them as some Others Do Stamps.
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NAME DISHES FOR HIS WORKS
Author Took a Nap Between Courses Because He Was Going to be Up So Late.
January 10 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Cackle Madame. / Jean ill.
Eulabee Dix has been in to show the King some miniatures, & before she gets married, Sat. the 18th—she wants to & plans to paint a miniature of the King in his Oxford robe. The King says of her that she is “beautifully architected” and she is. Slim, tallish, beautiful upper lip, long almond finger nails. Everything is right. It is dreadful that life has to be made up of extremes, either the King’s life is a blurr with too much billiards or it is bleak with none.