March 14 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a postcard to Frances A. Ramsay, stenographer, hoping she could come the next day at 2 or 2:30 p.m., as he had an “accumulation of letters” [MTP].
March 13 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “2 p.m., U.S. Court Rooms, Jno. Shields, examiner, Post office” [NB 44 TS 7].
Sam Clemens testified before US Commissioner John Shields on a lawsuit brought by Rudyard Kipling against R.F. Fenno, publishers. The New York Times, Mar. 14, p.3, headlined that Mark Twain was a witness and smoked and testified.
MARK TWAIN A WITNESS
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Summoned in Rudyard Kipling’s Suit Against Publishers.
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March 12 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora Wh[eeler] Keith ? Aldine dinner—see 19th Feb.” [NB 44 TS 7]. Note: on Feb. 19 Sam entered and then lined through: “Aldine dinner in honor of Howells, new Pres. Of Natl Institute Arts Letters,” reflecting perhaps a postponement or an error.
Fatout lists a speech by Mark Twain at a dinner honoring William Dean Howells. No particulars are given but the above NB entry confirms [MT Speaking 668].
March 11 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Mr. Mitchell, 7.30 24 W.10th” [NB 44 TS 7].
At 1410 W. 10th, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, enclosing Whitmore’s Mar. 9.
March 10 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora Wh[eeler] Keith ? | Mrs. Boyle here 7.30” [NB 44 TS 7].
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Moncure D. Conway, now in the City. Sam wrote in care of Harper’s.
March 9 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Grand Opera House—8.15. 23d St & 8th Ave” [NB 44 TS 7]. Note: The Metropolitan Opera House advertised the Grand Opera Season 1900-1901. “TO-NIGHT, at 8, at Popular Prices. Double Bill.—I PAGLIACCI (in Italian.). Miss Fritzi Scheff; MM. Salignac, Pini-Corsi, and Scotti. To be followed by CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA (in Italian.) Mmes. Gadski and Louise Homer; MM. Campanari and Cremonini. Conductor, Flon” [New York Times, 9 Mar. 1901, p. 16].
March 8 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Possible engagement” [NB 44 TS 7].
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore. Once again a bill had been presented by Pratt & Whitney for a portion of the Chicago plant which took on the Paige typesetter. Sam ordered him to “resist the claim, through the Robinson boys or as good a law-firm” [MTP].
Sam also telegrammed Whitmore, message not extant but mentioned in Whitmore’s Mar. 9 to Sam.
March 7 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Jessie A. Fowler, 10.30. Californian’s Tale. Sloan’s Thurs Eve. Club 9 p.m. Cromwell & Abby” [NB 44 TS 6].
March 6 Wednesday – Charlotte R. Conover (Mrs. Frank Conover) of Dayton, Ohio wrote for the Young Woman’s League asking “something from the pen of Mark Twain” for their fund-raising bazar [MTP].
Walter Hines Page wrote to Sam on letterhead from Doubleday, Page & Co., Publishers with “The World’s Work” as a motto:
March 5 Tuesday – Edwin A. Brenholtz of Turnersville, Tex. wrote to Sam with a clear and elegant hand, calling him “The Voice” and complimenting “Sitting in Darkness” [MTP]. Note: Sam replied Mar. 18.
Waterman of Cambridge, Mass. wrote from Montreal to compliment “Sitting in Darkness” [MTP].