July 10 Sunday – In Elmira and evidently past his bout with dyspepsia, Sam wrote to Mollie Clemens about a perfect day on the idyllic hilltop in his octagonal study at Quarry Farm.
July 9 Saturday – In Elmira Sam answered Samuel S. Cox’s inquiries about publishing:
If I had any doubts as to the readableness of your book it would be in order to send me the MS. — but I haven’t. I should only require to know the amount of matter in it; & you’ve told me that.
July 8 Friday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore about bills and orders. Sam was also keeping close notice on the Mergenthaler linotype machine on trial at the N.Y. Tribune:
July 7 Thursday – In Elmira Sam responded to Margaret A. Bentley of Oakland, Calif., who evidently had written asking if Sam remembered a former riverboat pilot. It was likely, Sam wrote, that if he ever met the man he was a “cub” at the time and etiquette would have prevented the honor of such an introduction [MTP].
July 6 Wednesday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, mostly about trying to set a dollar limit with Paige on the justifying motor. Sam urged diplomacy with Paige. He also complained of an obstacle to his continued fiction efforts:
I am losing time here; can’t seem to get started — on literary work, on account of the stubborn attack of dyspepsia that refuses to yield to treatment or cussing [MTP].
July 5 Tuesday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Linus T. Fenn. Only the envelope survives [MTP]. Note: Fenn was a Hartford merchant, selling furniture and stoves.
Orion Clemens wrote to Sam (Greening to Orion June 26 enclosed), thanking him for the “generous” check received. He wrote of a visit from Charley and Annie Webster and of Ma’s resolve “over and over again” to write to Sam but “the letter is not forthcoming” [MTP].
July 4 Monday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore asking if he’d framed “that motor-agreement” with Paige. He also informed him of the birth of a healthy, 8 lb. daughter to John and Clara Spaulding Stanchfield the day before [MTP]. Note: With Charles Webster increasingly ailing and out of the office, Sam dealt with Whitmore and Hall on publishing house business.
July 3 Sunday – Livy Clemens’ longtime friend, Clara Spaulding Stanchfield, gave birth to a baby girl. Livy was in attendance [A. Hoffman 340].
July 2 Saturday – In Elmira Sam attended the baseball game but declined to umpire. From the Brooklyn Eagle of July 3, 1887, p 16.
THE MAYOR PLAYED BALL
L.. — —
But Mark Twain and Thomas K
Beecher Declined to be Umpires
ELMIRA, N.Y., July 2
July 1 Friday – Charles J. Langdon wrote enclosing $200 from the Beech Creek RR bonds [MTP].
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3733 F.G. Whitmore 125.00 Finances
3734 Patrick McAleer 50.00 Coachman
3735 John O’Neil 60.00 Gardener