November 14 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Samuel H. Row, of Lansing, Michigan, who evidently recalled Sam’s “Roughing It” lecture (incoming not extant) in Lansing, Dec. 20, 1871, “when you were young and handsome I had the pleasure of introducing you to a Lansing audience” [Scharnhorst 527]. Evidently Row asked about Sarony’s ubiquitous photograph of Mark Twain (he sat for at least two portraits, in Nov. 1884 and ca.1894). Note: Sam did not lecture in Lansing on that date, but was in Sandwich, Illinois. His last Lansing lecture was on Dec. 14, 1871. Sam’s reply:
November 13 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam replied to the Nov. 11 from Jeannette L. Gilder.
Dear Miss Gilder.
November 12 Sunday – The New York Herald ran an interview of Mark Twain, “Mark Twain Would Kill Bosses by Third Party,” by Willis C. Pratt, p. 3-4. The interview is in Scharnhorst, p.507-11, though credit not given to Pratt there. It may also be seen on Twainquotes.com, if that website is still extant. What is not easily found is Pratt’s story of obtaining the interview, published some 50 years ago in the Mark Twain Journal.
The Last Time I Saw Mark Twain
Willis C. Pratt, as told to Gertrude Valliere King
November 11 Saturday – Miss Nellie Covert wrote from Peabody, Kansas, asking if Clemens had known Captain Henry Switzer while piloting on the Mississippi, or had he ever met any of his family? The lady did not disclose the reason for her question or her possible relationship with Switzer [MTP]. Note: The MTP catalogs Sam’s response as “on or after 11 November.”Five days estimated postal time is allowed here, with Sam’s response being ca. Nov. 16.
Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Boeddeker sent half quantity of medicine” [MTP TS 33].
November 10 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to the American Academy of Arts & Letters.
“I desire to vote yea upon the question of electing Mr. William Milligan Slone [sic Sloane] as a member of the Academy, to fill the vacancy caused by the declination of Mr. William James” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Mr. Clemens went to see Mr. Charles Frohman this morning about Miss Mary Lawton’s theatrical affairs” [MTP TS 33].
November 9 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to L.M. Powers in Haverhill Mass.
November 8 Wednesday – William Ten Eyck Hardenbrook wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam asking for a photograph of him for a “reference collection of portraits, with biographical data of one hundred of the most eminent living Americans.” He supplied a list of photographers who would do a sitting at no cost to Sam should he lack a photograph. On or just after this date Miss Lyon replied for Sam that he did not keep photos on hand but “9—made a good one a year ago,” probably referring to number nine on the list of photographers [MTP].
November 7 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Alice Whittemore Pearmain
I attended to the regime yesterday evening: a substantial dinner at 7. 30, with some deadlies (sweet things; milk & crackers when I went to bed at 10; milk when I woke at 2 a. m; milk & crackers when I woke at 5 a. m; corn bread & 3 cups of unmodified coffee at 8 a. m., (after stealing Clara’s bath, which I found prepared at 7. 30. [ ) ]
November 6 Monday – Samuel W. McCall wrote to Sam [MTP]. Note: MTP dates Sam’s reply as “on or after 6 November.” Sam responded: “If I would go any where on a platform & break my pledge to myself I would go there—but I mustn’t break that pledge” [MTP]. Note: Samuel Walker McCall (1851-1923), past editor of the Boston Daily Advertiser; at this time congressman from Mass. 8 congressional district; later Gov. of Mass. (1916-1919).
November 5 Sunday – Ruth McCall for Phi Kappa Psi, Smith College wrote to ask Sam to be their peaker at their annual open meeting [MTP].
Mary Boyle O’Reilly (1873-1939), philanthropist and WWI correspondent, wrote on The Guild of St. Elizabeth (Boston) letterhead to ask Sam for an authographed book for their Nov. 21 fair, as he had done the year before [MTP]. Note: Clemens wrote at top: “Send 2 or 3 / Autographed / Joan of Arc / Dog’s Tale”; see also IVL journal #2 entry for Nov. 9.
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