September 16 Saturday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Orion about the advisability of Orion applying himself to the invention of a steam brake for the railroads. However, such a brake had been invented already [MTL 4: 457-8].
September 15 Friday – Sam wrote from Elmira to James Redpath: “…we will take up our permanent residence in Hartford the last day of this month.” Sam refused to lecture in Buffalo because of past treatment there by the G.A.R. Sam wrote he would be sick and remunerate Buffalo rather than lecture there [MTL 4: 454-5].
September 14 Thursday – Sam wrote to an unidentified man:
“Dear Sir, /Your proposition is received. In reply I am obliged to say that my engagements are such that they debar me from accepting”[unknown amount of text and complimentary close missing; MTPO]
September 12–13 Wednesday – Sam stayed two days in Hartford and then returned to Elmira on Sept. 13 [MTL 4: 454n2]. In Hartford Sam secured rent on the John Hooker house in Nook Farm, Hartford for a temporary residence, and probably looked after his book at the American Publishing Co.
September 10 or 11 Monday – Sam stayed at the St. Nicholas Hotel probably one night, and then left for Hartford [MTL 4: 454n2].
September 9 Saturday – Sam filed his patent application for the garment strap and left Washington this day or the next for New York [MTL 4: 454n2].
September 8 Friday – Sam wrote from Washington to Livy. His only subject was the patent search [MTL 4: 453].
September 7 Thursday – Sam arrived in Washington, D.C. [MTL 4: 454n1].
September 6? Wednesday – Sam left Elmira bound for Washington, D.C. to file for a patent on his “Elastic Strap,” a strap placed at the back of a vest to tighten around the waist. The invention itself made the strap elastic, detachable and adjustable in length. It fastened to the vest with buttons and buttonholes and could be removed. It could also be used with pants and even ladies’ corsets.
September – Sam’s new lecture tour was announced in the September issue of the American Publisher [MTL 4: 414]. “A Brace of Brief Lectures on Science. Part 1” [Camfield, bibliog.]. (See Gribben 230-1.)