April 8 Friday – Sam wrote two letters from Hartford to Frank Bliss, the first receipting a royalty check for $630.56 for the sale of “old books” which Sam felt was “Very good, indeed, in spite of the weather.” The second note asked for a cloth Tramp book to be sent to H. L.
April 7 Thursday – Western Union Telegraph Co. bill of Apr. 30 shows telegram sent this date to New York, recipient not specified (see that entry for others).
E. Muchall wrote to Clemens asking for “a few lines” from him. Muchall wrote for a religious paper in NY but the “remuneration is so small I do not care to waste my time” [MTP].
April 6 Wednesday – Western Union Telegraph Co. bill of Apr. 30 shows telegram this date to and from Ft. Hamilton (Brooklyn), recipient not specified (see that entry for others).
Edward Duffy wrote from Utica, NY to ask Clemens’ advice for a little book describing the country home of Horatio Seymour (1810-1886), twice Governor of NY and loser in the 1868 election of Grant [MTP].
April 4 Monday – Western Union Telegraph Co. bill of Apr. 30 shows telegram sent this date to New York, recipient not specified (see that entry for others).
April 2 Saturday – Sam purchased “one Singer Sewing Machine #3321714” from Singer Manufacturing Co., Hartford, for $40 [MTP].
James R. Osgood wrote from Boston to Sam about “a letter from [H.N.] Hinckely, [sic Hinckley] the Chicago man, and have replied to him that ‘a Handbook of Etiquette’ would be a trade-book, that the ‘Cyclopedia of Humor’ would not be published for a considerable time—(by the way, have you heard from Gebbie yet?)” [MTP]. See Apr. 4.
April 1 Friday – Bills/Receipts/Statements from Hartford merchants:
April – Before Apr. 29, Sam hired his niece’s husband, Charles Luther Webster to take over dealings in the Kaolatype and brass ventures. Webster was 29, a civil engineer and real estate man in Fredonia. Sam realized he couldn’t see to the business details of his investments and give his writing the focus needed. (See Apr.
March 31 Thursday – In Hartford Sam, soured on the brass-engraving process, wrote two letters to Dan Slote:
March 30 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to James R. Osgood thanking him for books sent and requesting another. About Jesse Leathers’ manuscript:
March 28 Monday – N. Nott of Hartford billed Sam $11.40 for 146 feet of wood, paid [MTP]. Western Union bill for Mar. 31 shows a telegram to New York on this date (see entry for others).