August 6, 1904 Saturday

August 6 Saturday – In Lee, Mass. Sam wrote to his nephew Samuel E. Moffett now in Mr. Vernon, N.Y.

Yes, Clara has been in New York, but we keep it private because her health is in a wrecked condition & it is a damage to her to see anyone. She could not escape, here. She came up last Tuesday—being uneasy about Jean who is doing plenty well enough & doesn’t need her; so she & Katy returned to New York to-day. The two railway trips will do her a damage, sure.

August 4, 1904 Thursday

August 4 Thursday – Sam traveled from N.Y. to Lee, Mass: Isabel Lyon wrote in her journal on Aug.

“Last evening Mr. Clemens arrived and this afternoon Santissima [Clara] went back to N.Y.” [Hill 97]. Note: since Clara stayed with Jean for three days, she arrived Aug. 1.

Alice Hegan Rice wrote a short note from Hyannisport, Mass. to Sam, pasting a short verse on writing, “if this doesn’t warrant a house in your vest pocket, then I am no judge of literature” [MTP]. Note: the verse remains in the file, suggesting Sam did not feel the same.

August 2, 1904 Tuesday

August 2 Tuesday – Sam was in New York City, likely staying at the Grosvenor Hotel.

Otto Spengler for Argus Pressclipping Bureau sent a form letter to Sam, enclosing an article (not in the file) “certainly of interest to you,” and solicting they might serve him with others [MTP].

Amy S. Hutton wrote from Tyringham, Mass to Sam. She had heard of Jean’s accident. A trained nurse, she offered her services and a wish for a “speedy recovery” [MTP].

August 1, 1904 Monday

August 1 Monday – Sam arrived in New York and visited daughter Clara to disclose Jean’s accident. Clara then left Dr. Parry’s sanatorium and traveled to Lee, Mass. to visit injured sister Jean. She would stay three days and leave just after Sam arrived on Aug. 4 [Hill 97].

August 1904

August – Sam’s notebook: contains the title of Joseph C. Lincoln’s book, Cape Cod Ballads and Other Verse, by Joe Lincoln (1902), and a stanza from the poem [Gribben: 410: NB 46 TS 33]

“Italian With Grammar” ran in the Aug. issue of Harper’s Monthly [Camfield’s bibliog.].

The Plasmon Co. of America was nearly insolvent. John Hays Hammond was now the general manager of the company and took steps to revive things. From a 1910 decision on ensuing lawsuits:

July 31, 1904 Sunday

July 31 Sunday – Lee, Mass: Sam’s notebook: “LEE, Mass. / (Berkshire hills.). Last night the young people out on a moonlight ride. Trolly frightened Jean’s horse. Collision. Horse killed. Rodman Gilder picked Jean up,— unconscious; she was taken to the doctor, per the car. Face, nose, side, back contused; tendon of left ancle broken” [MTB 1224: NB 47 TS 17]. Note: Paine slightly altered the notebook entry, presented here.

Clara Clemens remembered:

July 30, 1904 Saturday

July 30 Saturday – In Tyringham, Mass., Isabel Lyon replied to Joseph Gessford, photographer.

In returning the prints to you, Mr. Clemens wishes me to say that you may use any of the small photos that you choose for the Berkshire Topics—but he would like you to keep for him the large fine one, the one that you have marked “Splendid” and beneath your writing Mr. Clemens has written “Best of all”—

Mr. Clemens would like to know what the price would be for 2 of himself & dog—mounted 6 of the large one mounted 12 ” ” ” ” unmounted

July 29. 1904 Friday

July 29 Friday – In Tyringham, Mass. Sam wrote to John Francis Holme of Bandar-Log Press. “I am exceedingly glad to be a Bandar Log Town stock and I sent my best thanks. The stuff has reached me and I highly prize it. Immeasurable disaster has befallen me since the La Shelles were under my roof and this has changed my permanent address. Sincerely Yours, S.L. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: Mr. & Mrs. Kirke La Shelle visited in Florence after April and before Livy’s death.

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