September 26 Sunday - Sam noted in his after Sept. 25, 1909 letter that on this day, “The final & absolute extinction of that sandhog, for $100.”
Sam’s new guestbook:
| Name | Address | Date | Remarks |
September 26 — Sept. 29. Jean back from the |
Hudson-Fulton celebration |
N.Y. | Final & total extinction Of the sandhogs! Many Thanks. |
September 27 Sunday – The New York American, p. 1 section 2 ran an interview of Mark Twain by Charles Henry Meltzer, about the pamphlet Mark Twain on Three Weeks that Elinor Glyn had published earlier in the year, probably in January. The pamphlet had contained Clemens’ supposed verbatim opinion of Glyn’s Three Weeks, her scandalous but popular novel which depicted an adulterous relationship.
September 27 Monday — In Redding, Conn. Sam finished his Sept. 19 to Joe Twichell. “Sept. 27. Yesterday the lawyers settled everything that was in dispute” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Frances Nunnally.
Francesca dear, you are cert airily a scandalous little rascal! I suppose you have been within a mile of this house half a dozen times, lately, & yet you wouldn’t come & see a person. However, you have put in your time better, & so I forgive you.
September 28 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “On Saturday I saw everything to be done in the N.Y. house and not a whit done that Katie had said should be done. So this morning I set out for N.Y. and with Will Wark we worked savagely all day—going from garret to cellar. Santa came in at 6—for Mary has tonsillitis, and Benares came too” [MTP: IVL TS 67].
Sylvester Baxter wrote from Boston to Sam after reading in the paper the account of Clemens’ speech at the Whittier birthday dinner back in 1877.
September 29 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Work all day long—packing and clearing out the dreadful rubbish of many years’ accumulating. / Bought a bicycle” [MTP: IVL TS 67].
Ralph W. Ashcroft came to Sam’s at 4:15 p.m. After dinner they played billiards until 10:30 p.m. Sam lost [Sept. 30 to Sturgis]. Note: likely Ashcroft delivered Mrs. R.M. Wallace’s appeal on this visit.
September 29 Wednesday - In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Isabel S. Wayland (Mrs. John Wayland) in Stony Creek, Conn,
Dear Mrs. Wayland— / That bushel must be about due, now, & my mouth is watering, I thank you, thank you, thank you!
September 3 Thursday– In Redding, Conn. Sam replied to the Aug. 31 from James R. Clemens by sending a telegram: “Shall be very happy to see you on Sunday but am very sorry you not both come. / S. L. Clemens” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Dorothy Quick in Plainfield, N.J.
September 30 Wednesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Louise Paine in Locust Valley, N.Y,
Dear Louise, I was very glad to hear from you. Your father brought back the plated ware to-day, & I have forgiven him, for he did not know it was plated or he would not have taken it. He thought it was silver; that was the only reason he took it, he said to himself. One is not blameable for mistakes, we all make them. A mistake is not a crime, it is only a miscarriage of judgement.
September 30 Thursday — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Melville E. Stone, manager of the Associated Press. “Dear Stone: / This is a personal matter of great importance to me, & as I am not well enough to travel, these days, I am sending Albert Bigelow Paine, my secretary, to you with it. / With my love /...” [MTP].
Lotos Club wrote from NYC to invite Clemens to a farewell dinner for Melville E. Stone on Oct. 5 [MTP].
September 4 Friday – Frances Nunnally wrote from Brown’s Hotel, London to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens,—
September 5 Saturday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Harriet Enders Pittsfield, Mass September 5-6
John O. Enders “ “ “ “
John Howells New York City “ “ [Illegible notes]
September 5 Sunday — Sam’s new guestbook:
| Name | Address | Date | Remarks |
| Harriet C.J. Sprague | Sharon, Connecticut | Sept 5,1909 | |
| Frank J. Sprague | The Saints [?] in the Summer | No later — |
Frances Nunnally sent Sam a picture postcard of West Main St., Waterbury, Conn.
Dear Mr. Clemens
September 6 Sunday – Note guestbook for Sept 5-6 above. Sam’s guestbook, as well as IVL TS 63-64:
Name Address Date Remarks
James Ross Clemens M.D. St. Louis, Mo. September 6-8 [Illegible notes]
September 6 Monday — Sam’s new guestbook:
| Name | Address | Date | Remarks |
| Dr. Wiley | Sept. 6 | ||
| Mrs. Wiley | " 6 | ||
| Mr. Dearborn | New York | " 6&7 | On business connected with the Robert Fulton Memorial |
September 7 Monday – James Ross Clemens was a guest at the Redding house [new guestbook]. Also stopping by for a visit were the following Redding neighbors. Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Annie R. Banks ——————————— ———————————
Fannie Sanford Shaw From over September 7 [Fanny]
Emma Shaw Reid on the Ridge
Marshal E. Driggs ——————————— ———————————
September 7 Tuesday — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote on letterhead of The Robert Fulton Monument Association to Harry Windsor Dearborn, listed as “Ass’t Secretary” of the association.
September 8 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “There is a row about the red ms. trunk with Mrs. Paine who insulted the King and Benares and me over the telephone” [MTP: IVL TS 64].
James Ross Clemens ended his visit at the Redding house [new guestbook]. Sam’s guestbook shows another two-day stay by a Member of the Aquarium, or Angelfish.
Name Address Date Remarks
Marjorie S. Breckenridge, M.A. From down the glen. September 6-8
September 9 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “We met Santa today at the Cunard pier.
Paine came in pale, and I begged him not to quarrel there. He had no intention of that though. Santa came right up here to Redding and finds it very beautiful” [MTP: IVL TS 64].
September 9 Thursday — In Redding, Conn. Albert B. Paine wrote for Sam to Archibald Henderson.
Clemens met biographer Albert Bigelow Paine in 1906 while living in New York City.
Summer – Sometime during the summer of 1908, Clemens drafted his Constitution for the Angelfish. It follows:
THE AQUARIUM
Issued By THE ADMIRAL
INNOCENCE AT HOME REDDING, CONN. SUMMER-TIME 1908
Qualifications for Membership
Sincerity, good disposition, intelligence, & school-girl age.
Secrets of the Order
Members of the Aquarium are forbidden to divulge its affairs to any but their parents & guardians.