July 23 Saturday – In Tyringham, Mass. Sam wrote two letters (the first not sent) to Frank Mason (US Consul at Frankfurt), complaining of the neglect in sending certificates for Livy’s casket to the Prince Oscar before it left from Naples, threatening to put the casket ashore. The second letter:
July 22 Friday – In Tyringham, Mass. Sam wrote to Mr. Van Dreele. “I & my stricken family hold ourselves under the deepest obligations to you. You removed the difficulties which beset our mournful home-coming, & made our way smooth & untroubled. We cannot thank you enough, but we do thank you most cordially” [MTP].
July 21 Thursday – In Tyringham, Mass. Isabel Lyon wrote for Clara Clemens to Martha G. Pond thanking her for her “sweet letter of sympathy.” Clara had been “utterly prostrate” since Livy’s death and so Isabel answered with thanks [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Mary B. Cheney in South Manchester, Conn.
July 20 Wednesday – In Tyringham, Mass. Sam sent the Bohan in Roseville, Ill. and added the following:
July 19 Tuesday – In Tyringham, Mass. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to A. Chalkley Collins, that “it is impossible for him to appear in public—he is in very deep mourning” [MTP].
A. Chalkley Collins, attorney in Great Barrington, Mass. wrote to invite Sam to a celebration of “old Home Week the last day of July” [MTP]. Note: Lyon’s answer above.
Sometime between July 19 and 28, Sam posed for photographs by Joseph Gaylord Gessford in neighboring Lee, Mass. [MTP photo binders].
Founded as Housatonic Township Number 1, the land which became Tyringham and Monterey was first settled in 1735. Tyringham was established in 1739.[2] The two main villages were set up along two waterways, Hop Brook to the north and the Konkapot River to the south.
July 18 Monday – N.Y.C.: Sam’s notebook: “At 9.15 I and Ugo (butler; he arrived from Italy with the horses on Friday) left for Lee & arrived at 1.07. / Jean & Katy left at 3.30 & arrived about 7” [NB 47 TS 16].
The regional paper, The Berkshire Gleaner, July 20, p. 1 reported a Monday, July 18 arrival for Sam and Saturday, July 16 for Clara and (mistakenly) for Jean.
Mark Twain Arrives.
July 17 Sunday – Emilie R. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers) wrote to Sam enclosing a letter of condolence from Helen Keller dated dated June 14. Keller had graduated in June from Radcliffe College, Harvard University. “I could not find the words…” Emilie wrote, being unable to send sympathy before now [MTHHR 578].
Thomas R. Lounsbury wrote from New Haven, Conn. a letter of condolence to Sam. “No death has for a long time so profoundly affected me as that of your wife” [MTP].
Seth Low wrote a nearly illegible letter of condolence to Sam [MTP].
July 16 Saturday – In N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Ellen O’Neil in Hartford.
Dear Ellen: / Of all the tributes of homage & affection for our lost one that have come from her friends in many lands, that which came from you & John has moved me most & touched me deepest. Those white roses spoke a message of love as pure & fragrant as themselves; & the like of that love was in Mrs. Clemens’s heart for you two to her last day. She held you in as high honor as she held any of her other friends, & she never spoke your names but with affection.