November 7 Thursday – William Dean Howells wrote to Sam, asking for an interview. He addressed the letter to “S.L. Clemens, Litt.D,” honoring Sam’s new honorary doctor of letters degree from Yale.
November 6 Wednesday – The Order of Acorns organized a victory parade after the Fusion ticket won a large victory in the Nov. 5 election. Mark Twain gave a speech at one point; the event was covered by the New York Times, Nov. 7, p.3:
“THE ACORNS” HOLD AN ELECTION JUBILEE
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Mark Twain Delivers a Mock Eulogy on Tammany.
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Then They Parade Up Broadway to
November 5 Tuesday – Election Day, New York City: The Fusion Ticket won Victory in the election, with Seth Low elected by a plurality of 33,000. William Travers Jerome was also elected District Attorney. This was a big defeat for Tammany Hall.
November 5 after – Sam’s notebook:
November 4 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Magnus Gross, declining an unspecified request: “for I am loaded to the Plimsoll mark, & mustn’t add an ounce to my cargo” [MTP]. Note: This may have been Magnus Gross, public school principal, in 1905 the President of the New York City Teachers’ Organization. The plimsoll line is the marking on a ship’s hull that shows how low or high the ship is resting in the water, in this case the high mark.
November 2 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Introduce a speaker?” [NB 44 TS 16]. Note: may refer to Nov. 7.
November 1 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Gerding. — Sam Moffett Lincoln Bank” [NB 44 TS 16]. Note: Charles Gerding, Jr. obtained a judgment against Isaac K. Funk of Funk & Wagnalls publishing. Funk had reorganized the Eastern Tennessee Land Co. in 1894, which had originally been formed in 1889 to establish a prohibition settlement. Charles Gerding, Sr. was at one time employed by the Co.
November – In Riverdale, N.Y., Sam wrote on a letter by his real estate broker, George W. Reeves, who had just sold the Hartford home: “He started in to bilk me, & did it” [MTP: Am. Art Assoc.-Anderson Galleries catalogs, Apr. 24-5, 1935 Item 58].
At the top of a circular from Harper & Brothers, Sam wrote an answer: “Ever so many thanks for the books. If I could get time I’d like to review the one on the raising of babies…” [MTP: Am. Art Assoc.-Anderson Galleries catalogs, Apr. 24-5, 1935 Item 58].
October 31 Thursday – Sam’s notebook entry of Oct. 30 gives the following evening for reservations of three seasts for “orchestra.” The venue was not determined [NB 44 TS 16].
The New York Tribune, p. 3, ran “Twain Would Be a Bill Poster!”—a similar article to the NY Times article (see under Oct. 30) [MTCI 410-11].
October 30 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook records a to-do list, some items crossed off as if completed:
3 seats orchestra, not further back than 6th row or 1st or second row of balcony to-morrow night
money.
Shaving soap.
Spectacles to Gildre
Miss Marborough
Bram Stoker 783 Mad. Av.
Mrs. Rogers
Post cards & envelopes.
Write Am. Exp. Portrait.
Harpers.
October 29 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Introduce Seth Low to audience at 350 Broadway, noon” [NB 44 TS 16].
Mark Twain spoke at a noonday rally for the Fusion ticket at the New York Life Building in support of mayoral candidate, Seth Low. The New York Times covered the event on p. 3, Oct. 30 edition:
MARK TWAIN AND SETH LOW SPEAK
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The Humorist Compares Tammany to a Rotten Banana.
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