January 13 Thursday – The Hartford Courant ran a news article on page two, “The Decorative Art Society” which listed the group’s activities of 1880. Included were three benefit entertainments to replenish the treasury. One of these was a reading by Clemens at the home of Mrs. Samuel Colt in Hartford. [MTHL 1: 346]. Note: this article does not specify what Sam read.
January 12 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to President-elect, James A. Garfield to “speak a word for” Frederick Douglass, who had been appointed U.S. Marshal of Washington in 1877.
January 10 Monday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Pamela Moffett, thanking her for books that her son Sam Moffett had sent.
January 9 Sunday – Clara Clemens was much better in the morning after “good nursing & dosing.” Sam wrote from Hartford to his mother, Jane Clemens. Another fire began in Jean’s crib in the nursery, started when a spark flew through the fire-screen while Julia (Sam’s personal barber) was in Susy’s room making up a bed.
January 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens developed symptoms of pneumonia; the doctor was called [MTBus 149].
January 7 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to George W. Bagby the famous Southern humorist, who had written on Dec. 20 with some sort of invitation. Sam was too busy to accept.
“They say that time is money; it must be so, seeing it is so difficult to get, in any sufficient quantity” [MTP].
December 31 Friday – Hartford merchant bills/receipts/statements:
A.D. Vorce & Co. “picture & looking glass frames, oil paintings” $36.75 for purchases Oct. 12, Nov. 30, Dec. 22; “wire and painting cats, hall frame”; paid Jan. 7, 1881; J.P. Newton, “meat, poultry, game, fish & vegetables” $7.48 for purchases: Nov. 27, Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 fish & lobster [MTP].
December 30 Thursday – Sam and Livy attended the single-night performance of “Morte Civile,” (the Civil Death), starring the famous Italian actor Salvini at the Hartford Opera House. The Hartford Courant, Dec. 31 p. 2 reported on the “emotional tragedy”:
December 29 Wednesday – Sam declined an invitation from the Press Club of Chicago, writing from Hartford that the “formidable size of the trip in this mid-winter weather” would bar him from attending. He hoped they remembered him as well as he did them [MTLE 5: 242].
December 28 Tuesday – William A. Seaver wrote to Clemens. “My precious old bird: — / Haven’t you got a place for bores, loafers and snobs in Hartford called a Club? … I am twisting my wits to get stuff enough together to do a little article on Clubs, and would like to ring in Hartford” [MTP].