June 15 Friday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam about progress on Philip Sheridan’s Memoirs, and “the importance of getting a short manuscript preface from the General,” who was dying at the time. The preface written was dated Aug. 2, 1888 but the first draft was done in Washington on May 13, and revised on Aug. 3. Philip Sheridan died on Aug. 5, 1888 [MTNJ 3: 303].
June 14 Thursday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam that the prospectus for Sheridan’s Personal Memoirs would be ready this afternoon. The book was scheduled for release in the winter of 1888 [MTNJ 3: 387n295].
June 13 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook entry:
Cheney’s, Wed. June 13. Train leaves here 5.10 & returns at 10.10 [MTNJ 3: 391].
Charles Scribner for Scribner’s & Sons wrote to Sam, responding to his letter of June 9, that he would call on him at 2 p.m. on June 21 about the Sheridan book [MTP].
June 11 Monday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam about the Iowa lawsuit against R.T. Root, a general book agent who had not made required payment for Grant’s Memoirs. Hall recommended, “if we can get fifteen, or even twelve thousand dollars, it is best to accept it.” No settlement was made, however, and the court case continued until Jan. 1889, when Webster & Co. won a judgment of $31,433.33. Webster & Co.
June 10 Sunday – Sam and Livy met the Finnish Baroness Alexandra Gripenberg (1857-1913) at 8 p.m. at the Hartford home of George Warner. She was a leader in the temperance and suffrage movements. The Baroness came to America as a delegate to the meeting of the International Council of Women inM Washington on Mar. 26. She arrived in Hartford on June 7 to visit her friend, Isabella Beecher Hooker.
June 9 Saturday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Nellie Bunce (1853-1922) (daughter of Edward M. Bunce). Sam complimented Nellie’s singing [MTP]. Note: On Oct. 24 of this year Nellie would marry Archibald Ashley Welsh and found the Hartford School of Music, later called the Conservatory of Music. Edward (Ned) Bunce was a longtime friend and Friday Evening billiards player.
June 8 Friday – Clara Clemens’ fourteenth birthday.
Sam’s notebook entries: Murray Hill telegraph the Delavan for me [and] check # 4146 — Delavan House, June 8 — $2.25. [MTNJ 3: 391n309]. Note: The Delevan was an Albany hotel; Sam sent a check to hold a room but it’s not known if he traveled to Albany. No evidence of such a trip was found.
June 7 Thursday – Charles Scribner for Scribner’s & Sons wrote to Sam (enclosed in Webster & Co. June 8) seeking an interview about the General Sheridan book [MTP].
June 6 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam responded to Andrew Chatto that “everything proposed” by Christian (Baron) Tauchnitz was “satisfactory” [MTP]. No doubt this had to do with publishing Sam’s Library of Humor in Europe.
It’s not clear where Livy was at this time (New York?), because Sam, in Hartford, telegraphed her:
When you see House tell him to save that remark about publishers it may come good yet [MTP].
June 5 Tuesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to President Cleveland’s wife, Frances F. Cleveland. An excerpt of Sam’s letter relating to Cleveland’s birthday, Mar. 18, when Sam was in Washington, may be seen in that entry [MTP].
Sam also wrote a short note to General Lucius Fairchild: