March 16 Sunday – At the Royal Poinciana in Palm Beach, Fla. Sam wrote to Livy.
Livy darling, the whole multitude in this vast hotel wear Panama hats—& there isn’t one among them that is as fine as the one I left in Riverdale. I did not remember that I had such a thing until Rice inquired after it. He has lent me a nice soft hat to use until I can buy a straw.
March 15 Saturday – At the Hotel Ponce de Leon in St. Augustine, Fla. Sam wrote to Livy.
Dearheart, we came to the hotel to dine & wait for the evening train; but concluded to stay all night, for which I was glad, as I was very tired. I was in bed & asleep by 8 o’clock, but the others went to some kind of a show, & Hutton did not get to bed till after midnight—& the show wasn’t worth it.
March 14 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Charlston, S.C. about 8 a.m. / Lighted at the Ponce de Leon” [NB 45 TS 5].
Sam’s ship log: “Nighted at the Ponce de Leon” [MTP]. Note: the “Lighted” in the NB may be a typo.
Livy’s diary: “Susy Twichell & her friend Mrs lunched with us; Florence Gay dined with us & spent the night” [MTP: DV161].
The men left the Kanawha at Charleston, and took the Florida Special train, where Sam wrote to Livy,
March 12 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook:
March 11 Tuesday – Livy’s diary: “Mr Norman Hapgood lunched with us. Mr. Rondegger called” [MTP: DV161].
William Evarts Benjamin wrote from the Hotel Brighton, Atlantic City to Sam.
March 10 Monday – The Hearst newspapers New York American and Journal and San Francisco Examiner and New York Evening Journal ran a story with Mark Twain’s reaction to a recent interview with Mrs. John Jacob Astor, before she sailed the morning of Mar. 8
[NY Times Mar. 8, 1902, p.7 “What isDoing in Society”]. She was quoted:
March 9 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to David Alexander Munro (1844-1910), assistant editor to George B. Harvey of the North American Review, and Greek scholar.
March 8 before – C.A. Von Ramdohr sent Sam a printed page announcing the Society of Medical Jurisprudence was having its 20th Annual Dinner at the Hotel Savoy on Mar. 8 at 6:30 [MTP]. Note: Sam would attend and give a speech.
March 8 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to George B. Harvey of Harper & Brothers.
March 7 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to John H. Johnston. “I thank you very much for the coat of arms. This one is new to me, & I am glad to have it” [MTP: www.Autographs.com, Oct. 7, 2001].
March 6 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “10 a.m. Benjamin—I meet him at our station” [NB 45 TS 5]. Note: likely William Evarts Benjamin, H.H. Rogers’ son-in-law, taking the train from the city for a visit.
Albert E. Davis, President of the North Side Board of Trade, read a letter of regret from Mark Twain at their eighth annual dinner in the Metropolis Theatre Hall. The New York Times, Mar. 7, p.2, “North Side Board of Trade,” printed the letter and speeches: