March 17 Monday – At the Royal Poinciana in Palm Beach, Fla. Sam wrote to Livy. The men had just been notified of the Kanawha’s arrival in Miami, and so were “packing & rushing.” The sister of Mrs. Alice M. Ditson) as well as Col. A.G. Paine raved about the Hot Springs and told of a special train from N.Y. that arrived there overnight; he felt they should try it for Livy’s gout. In his prior letter Sam gave Livy a Havana address c/o H.H.

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].