August 1871

August  Sam’s articles, “About Barbers,” and “How I Secured a Berth” were printed in the August Galaxy. These were his last contributions to the magazine [Camfield, bibliog.].

July 31, 1871 Monday

July 31 Monday  Sam wrote from Elmira to Edward P. Ackerman, editor of the Cherub. Sam responded to Ackerman’s questioning Sam’s article in the July American Publisher about Thomas KBeecher’s new church [MTL 4: 439].

July 24, 1871 Monday

July 24 Monday – Sam wrote a one-line note to Adolph H. Sutro, asking for his address, the envelope may have been sent to the Sutro Tunnel Co. on Montgomery Street, S.F., with a note asking it to be forwarded [MTL 4: 439]. Sutro was a mutual friend of Sam’s and John Henry Riley’s, and was trying to secure investments for his tunnel. See also source p. 447-8 about Sam’s interest in Sutro.

July 23, 1871 Sunday

July 23 Sunday  Sam wrote from Elmira to Will Bowen in St. Louis about his lecture plans and turning down $150 a night for 30 consecutive nights in Missouri and Kansas because Sam didn’t like “so much railroad travel” [MTL 4: 438].

July 19, 1871 Wednesday

July 19 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to James Redpath not to schedule him west of Cleveland. “When I think of those awful western roads & hotel[s] I get sick—sick as death.” Sam repeated that he wanted “Nasby prices” [MTL 4: 436].

July 14, 1871 Friday 

July 14 Friday  Sam wrote a short note from Elmira to James Redpath not to schedule him at Jamestown, New York, the scene of a poor lecture on Jan. 21, 1870. “I suppose all lecturers hate that place” [MTL 4: 435].

July 10, 1871 Monday 

July 10 Monday – Sam wrote from Elmira to reply to the July 7 of Elisha Bliss. Sam agreed to allow Orion small weekly draw amounts from Sam’s account, but most of the letter pertained to the upcoming book, not yet titled. Sam suggests “Flush Times,” subtitled, “in the silver mines & other matters – a personal narrative by Mark Twain.” Ultimately, Bliss would name the book Roughing It [MTL 4: 431].

Subscribe to