March 1 Tuesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Charles Webster. Sam liked the book by Edmund C. Stedman, but didn’t “think very well of it.” This was the multi-volume Library of American Literature, which Webster was committed to and Sam later thought helped sink the firm. Sam wanted to discuss that book and two others he did think should be published when Charles came up to join his wife visiting her mother, Pamela Moffett.

February 26 Saturday– Sam presented a paper to the Monday Evening Club titled “Machine Culture.” This was Sam’s eleventh presentation to the Club since his election in 1873 [Monday Evening Club].

An interview with Sam ran in the Bismark Daily Tribune:

February 25 Friday – In Hartford Sam wrote a short note to Charles Webster, asking him to come to Hartford and join Pamela Moffett (visiting) and his wife Annie Moffett Webster for “rest & recreation” from his neuralgia [MTP].

February 24 Thursday – William H. Gillette wrote enclosing a $1,000 check which he said “is to go into the ancient acct ‘Professor’” [MTP]. Note: Sam gave William his start on the stage by funding the play of that name.

February 23 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam’s sister Pamela arrived from California for a six-day visit.

Paine writes of Sam’s Browning Class, which met every Wednesday during this period (see 1887 begin):

“Once, at a class-meeting, after finishing ‘Easter Day,’ he made a remark which the class requested him to ‘write down.’ It is recorded on the fly-leaf of Dramatis Personæ as follows:”

February 21 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote a one-liner to Ingersoll Lockwood.

Upon reflection, I am convinced that my size would render me too conspicuous for comfort [MTP].

Alphonse Loisette wrote to Sam from “The Loisettian School of Physiological Memory” enclosing his third “lesson.” Loisette mentioned he’d “just heard from Mr. Stanchfield. He says he has inspired the formation of two classes” [MTP]. Note: John B. Stanchfield.

February 17 Thursday – George J. Magee for Clearfield Bituminous Coal in Corning N.Y. sent Sam a form-letter offer to buy stock to cover expenses of the purchase of said company. Sam wrote “No” on the envelope [MTP].

J.F. Swords wrote acknowledging a letter from Sam’s attorney Whitmore relating to Sam’s signature for one share in the Hartford Amusement Assoc., which was on their document [MTP].