Columbia is a city in Missouri, United States. It was founded in 1821 as the county seat of Boone County and had a population of 126,254 as recorded in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Missouri. Columbia is a Midwestern college town, home to the University of Missouri, ...
May 29 Thursday – Sam arrived in St. Louis around 7:30 a.m. He had planned to meet James Ross Clemens at the Planters House, but James and his cousin Lamotte Cates met him at the station and took him to Planters. (Note: Paine writes Horace Bixby also met him at the station MTB p. 1167).
May 28 Wednesday – Sam was on the train en route to St. Louis, sleeping well the second night [May 23 to James R. Clemens].
John B. Briggs wrote from New London, Mo. to Sam. “Dear ‘Mark’:– / I see by the St. Louis Republican where you are to be in Hannibal, Mo., in the course of a few days, and if I am well enough would like to see you…and talk over old boyhood days” [MTP].
May 26 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to George Iles. “Yesterday I read the last half of your book on flame, electricity & the camera again. And I thank you again. It is an enchanting book, & the style & phrasing are worthy of the great subjects. I am leaving for the West, to return the middle of June; but I am leaving the ancient hymn-books behind, in a safe place” [MTP].
May 25 Sunday – Sam read the last half of George Iles’ 1900 book, Flame, Electricity and the Camera [May 26 to Iles].
Nathaniel Pasternak wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam, that he would “be on hand any time you call me up. The boys were disappointed—badly—on receipt of that previous letter and are now reassured. Membership has now swelled to about fifty—you can guess the reason—and no more are admitted for the present. We hope your trip turns out to be a very successful and agreeable one” [MTP].
May 24 Saturday – Livy’s diary: “Mr & Mrs Frederick Goddard here for luncheon” [MTP: DV161].
Mary A. Geisse wrote from Phila. to Sam, thanking him for “his prompt reply, also for your opinion of my work” (poems) [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “I tried to make this fool understand (without saying the naked brutal words) that she has neither talent nor genius with this damned result.”
May 23 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to James R. Clemens.
Insert: Planters House Hotel, St. Louis
I am thanking the both of you (& Muriel) very much, & am accepting for June 5th, 6 p.m., & next day & maybe day after. With many thanks.
May 22 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Briercliff? / Join Mr. Wright here at 10.14 a.m. / Returning leave Scarboro at 3—something” [NB 45 TS 13]. Note: Howard E. Wright of the Am. Plasmon Co. The entry suggests the two men went to Scarborough, N.Y.on Plasmon Co. business. Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. is nearby.
May 21 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore (only the envelope survives) [MTP].
Sam inscribed a copy of A Double-Barrelled Detective Story with his signature and the date on a blank preliminary leaf [PBA Galleries auction 24 May 2007 Lot 248].
Sam’s notebook entry lists ideas for the “50 years after” tale, never finshed [NB 45 TS 13].