Day By Day Dates

June 15 Sunday – H.E. Harrington for Mutual Life Ins., N.Y. wrote an estimate to Sam for an “investment policy” [MTP].

Orion Clemens wrote below Ma’s June 10 delusional paragraph to her parents:

Ma wrote this on the 10th. She was excited, nearly crying with joy once the expected reunion of the family. / She is very weak, this afternoon, drooping to the left, and staggering [MTP].

June 16 Monday – Orion Clemens finished the June 15 letter:

When I offered to bring Ma down to breakfast this morning she found herself too weak on the left side, and liable to fall. She said she had not use of her left side, from her hip down [MTP].

June 18 Wednesday – ‡ See addenda

June 19 Thursday – Robinson for Collier’s Once a Week (“Fiction Fact Sensation Wit Humor News”) wrote to Sam asking to reprint the “proposal” from GA [MTP].

June 20 Friday – William J. Hamersley wrote to Sam about a “personal loan” he’d made to Sam and a note from Whitmore regarding it. Hamersley was relying on Sam’s “promise to take care of it sometime next month.” No amount is mentioned but on Apr. 3 Hamersley sent Sam $2,500 [MTP].

June 21 Saturday ‡ – See Addenda: Sam and Joe Goodman returned from Washington by this day.

June 22 Sunday – Joseph T. Goodman wrote from the Hoffman House, N.Y. to Sam: “Mrs. Goodman concluded to come over to the city and stay for a week or so — or until we knew if Jones is disposed to do anything about the machine. Her health is very poor.” Sam wouldn’t hear from Joe again unless he had something to say about Senator John P. Jones or John W. Mackay, the two big fish they angled for [MTP].

June 23 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Joe Goodman, once again singing the praises of the Paige typesetter. Sam mentioned the “Silver Bill” which was before Congress and tied up Senator John P. Jones from returning for a final successful exhibition of the machine. Fred Whitmore (Franklin’s son) was now turning out about 6,200 ems per hour on the machine. Sam’s spirits were high, and his faith sure:

June 24 Tuesday – In Hartford George Warner wrote, “Susy Clemens is in and happy, the dear girl,” referring to her acceptance at Bryn Mawr College [Salsbury 277].

Sam wrote to William Thomas Stead.

May I wish you every success with your “Review of Reviews” which I think will fulfill a long felt want both in England and in America [MTP].

Joseph B. & Jeanette Gilder for The Critic wrote to ask Sam to vote from a list for the magazine’s “Forty Immortals.” Sam wrote on the envelope, “Brer, please ask her to send me the ‘list’ referred to SLC” [MTP].

June 25 Wednesday – New York Times, June 25, 1890, p.6 “Help Wanted – Males”

COLLEGE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AGENTS

And all who desire work for the Summer months wanted to secure orders for “The Great War Library” in ten volumes, embracing the works of Gens. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, McClellan, Crawford, Hancock, and Custer; sold on easy monthly payments. We will pay you at the rate of $60 weekly for one order per day. For agencies and further particulars call on or address Charles L. Webster & Co., 3 East 14th St., New York.

June 26 Thursday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam:

Your favor received. I returned to the office only this morning. I will have Mr. Brokaw make up a statement of what is due you at once…./ With reference to what we can pay you in July: I do not see how we can pay you anything now. As you know, the money we have made off our other books has been absorbed by the “Library.” [Hall estimated $70,000 in capital had been “absorbed” by the LAL since they began it] [MTP].

June 27 Friday – Orion Clemens began a letter to Sam he finished June 28. He thanked him for the monthly $200 check. “Ma is doing very well. Tells fabulous stories, and is restless and is uncertain in her walk, on account of the weakness in her left side…” [MTP].

June 28 Saturday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam, enclosing a June 27 letter by Edmund C. Stedman protesting Webster & Co.’s use of the phrase “Great War Library” in connection with the Civil War generals’ memoirs. Hall wrote:

June 30 Monday – Sam wrote to Frederick J. Hall, responding to Edmund C. Stedman’s “piece of unmitigated impudence.”

The letter accounts for Arthur Stedman [son of Edmund, working at Webster & Co.]: idiotcy runs in the family.

It requires no notice of any kind. Treat it with contemptuous silence — that and all similar letters from that pair of quite too wonderful people [MTLTP 261].

July – Webster & Co. Sent Sam a “Books sent out during June, 1890” report totaling 3,990 books with 1,236 CY’s [MTP]. Note: the MTP catalogues this as a June incoming entry.

July 1 Tuesday – Frank E. Bliss of American Publishing Co. wrote to Sam enclosing a check for $263.29 to settle all royalties from sales of his books to this date. [MTP].

John M. Knight for Manning Collegiate Institute wrote to thank Sam for gift copies of CY and HF for their library [MTP].

James B. Pond wrote to Sam: “Your kind letter is received. Many thanks. I know you will live until Nov. 18th & go to Boston with our crowd. I have sent your letter to Stanley. I know he will appreciate it” [MTP].

July 2 Wednesday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam in Hartford, presuming “you will not want to be bothered with business matters while in the Catskills.” Hall had received Sam’s two letters (one identified by Hall’s reference as Sam’s June 30) and would do as he suggested on “the Stedman matter” (Stedman objected to the firm’s use of the word “Library” in selling their “Great War Library” books — see June 30 from SLC to Hall). As for money Sam needed, Hall could send $500 “any time you want it” and hoped “to follow it very soon by another and larger remittance”.

July 3 Thursday – Louise A. Howland wrote with mourning border stationery to thank Sam for his kindness in sending “such sympathizing words” on the death of her husband Robert M. Howland. Sam wrote “No answer required” on the envelope [MTP].

J. Langdon & Co. per C.L. Stillman wrote Sam that a draft for $3,000 had been sent to the US Bank, Hartford, “same to apply on note of Mrs. Clemens” [MTP].

P.D. Ryan, Hartford Merchant Tailor, receipted $6 for Feb 19, May 31, June 10 — all for repair clothing [MTP].

July 4 Friday – At Onteora, Sam performed the function of starter for “burlesque races.” In the evening by the fireside he charmed the company with his old story, “Golden Arm” [Powers, MT A Life 532]. Robert Underwood Johnson in his 1923 memoir, Remembered Yesterdays:

Mark was the centre of attraction for the Onteora colony and for none more than the children, between whom and him there was an ideal relation of mutual devotion [325].

July 5 Saturday – In Onteora Park, near Tannersville, New York, Sam wrote a poem and a sketch of two men passing each other, one with a halo and the other holding a fan, titled, “The Last Meeting, & Final Parting” in honor of Laurence Hutton, who was also visiting Onteora Club at the time.

When I meet you I shall know you, 
By your halo I shall know you — 
Thus shall know you, blameless man; 
And you’ll know me also, Larry, 
When we meet but may not tarry — 
Yes, alas, alas, you’ll know me by my fan [MTP].

July 6 Sunday – In Onteora Park, Tannersville, N.Y., Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, stressing he wanted Edward M. (Ned) Bunce to see the Paige typesetter.

And be sure you either take Batterson to see it, or have Bunce do it. / I am waiting for news from Goodman [MTP]. Note: James G. Batterson, president of Travelers Insurance; Joe Goodman was in Washington, D.C..

Thomas Fitch in Reno, Nevada sent Sam a clipping (newspaper unspecified) of his July 4th Oratory; no letter was enclosed or is extant [MTP].

July 7 Monday – Joseph B. Gilder for The Critic wrote to follow up on the list of persons Sam was asked to vote for, their “Forty Immortals” [MTP].

July 8 Tuesday – Franklin G. Whitmore wrote to Sam that he’d arranged for James G. Batterson, president of Travelers Insurance Co. and also head of New England Granite Works, to see the Paige typesetter [MTNJ 3: 561n250]. Note: Sam felt if Batterson or some other wealthy investor put in a substantial sum, that Senator John P. Jones would then be more likely to invest. See Sept. 24 entry.

July 9 Wednesday – In Onteora Park, Tannersville, N.Y., Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore about a supposed gift by Connor of a new font for the Paige typesetter. Sam was concerned the gift aspect might have been forgotten and a bill would be presented [MTP]. Note: Connor is not further identified.

Hartford Post Office per John C. Kinney notified Sam that his June 23 to Mrs. Joseph T. Goodman, Hoffman House, N.Y. had been sent to the dead letter office [MTP]. The Goodmans may not have arrived in New York by this time; Joe would write from N.Y. to Sam on July 18.

July 10 Thursday – In Onteora Park, Tannersville, N.Y., Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore. The text is lost [MTP].