February 26 Tuesday – With Clara and Paine gone, the house was rather empty and Isabel Lyon was unable to find social contacts for him. Isabel Lyon’s journal:

February 25-28 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 21 from John B. Downing, (“Alligator Jack”).

February 25 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.  

Your news about yourself in your letter of yesterday is exceedingly welcome, & tallies with what Anna said when she was here the other day.

February 24 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Clara, now at the Hotel Worthy in Springfield, Mass. on a singing tour.  

I shall watch with interest for your code-signals, Clärchen dear, & shall hope that they will bring good news from my self-banished exile.

I like Mr. Wark & his honest blue eyes ever so much. I think you are fortunate to be in his guardianship.

February 23 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Joan of Arc” [MTP TS 31].

George J. Helmer, the family’s NY osteopath, wrote to ask Sam for his continued support “just by speaking the word” for the bill on Osteopathy in Albany. On this day Sam replied on Helmer’s letter: “gave 2 or 3 days of time without object[.] Did for the cause once what wouldn’t have done for any other cause for 10000—Didn’t do any good & doesn’t care to repeat that experience” [MTP].

February 22 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote instructions and a draft for Isabel Lyon to use to reply to Laura M. Dake (Laura Wright), who had written on Feb. 12 and 16.

February 21 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Katonah, N.Y.

Jean dear, Ashcroft’s people have added another spiral-pin device: it is to secure jewels in the hair without having to wire them in, as at present. The next time Anna comes down, I want her to remember to ask us for one of these & carry it to you.

February 20 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Feb. 19 of Robert Fulton Cutting and Others. Declining an invitation sent on Feb. 19: “I do not go out this winter when I can avoid it” [MTP].

Sam also replied to the Jan. 17 from George Iles.

February 19 Tuesday – Clara Clemens left for another concert tour, with stops of: North Adams, Elmira, Hartford, Bangor, and Utica. She would return on Mar. 25 [Hill 165, 170; IVL TS 30].

Gallantz J. Bishop wrote from NYC to invite Sam to a banquet of the New Club of America, Hotel St. Regis, Mar. 14, and hoped Sam would “favor” them with “a few comments” [MTP].

February 18 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Thompson brought 2 beautiful pictures, & I think the King will buy the moonlight one” [MTP TS 29]. Note: on Mar. 12 Frederic L. Thompson wrote to thank Clemens for buying two of his paintings. See the strange case of Thompson-Gifford. Thompson was a goldsmith who “suddenly and inexplicably seized with an impulse to sketch and paint pictures”:

http://www.aspsi.org/feat/life_after/tymn/a089mt-e-Thompson-Gifford_Case.php