Home at Hartford: Day By Day

August 24 Sunday – Sam was in Washington, D.C., waiting. During this stay Senator John P. Jones of the Committee on Finance was involved in the aftermath of the compromise Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890, which fell short of the free coinage of silver, but did increase the amount of silver the government was required to purchase monthly. The Act passed in response to the growing complaints of farmers (beginning in 1887), who had immense debts that could not be paid off due to a series of droughts.

August 25 Wednesday – Estes & Lauriat of Boston billed Sam $150 for John James Audubon’s The Birds of America from Drawings made in the United States and Their Territories (1860) [Gribben 31]. The bill at MTP shows the plates in 1 volume folio, text in 4 volumes.

August 25 Thursday – Sam wrote in the morning from Boston to Livy about his trip from Elmira.

“I never saw Mr. Slee any more after I went to bed at midnight in the cars. I found, next morning, in Albany, that I could catch the Springfield train by rushing; so I rushed—in a hack—& was the last passenger that joined it.” Sam told of seeing a working man who’d taken the wrong train so Sam paid his fare back on a 2-day ticket.

August 25 Friday – Molly & Orion Clemens wrote to Sam and Livy [MTP].

August 25 Tuesday – Sam, Livy, and the Sages traveled to Mt. Onteora, New York in the Catskills near Tannersville to visit Candace Wheeler (Mrs. Thomas M. Wheeler), mother of Dora Wheeler Keith, the artist. “Mrs Wheeler specialized in the design of tapestries and fabrics for Louis C.

August 25 Wednesday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Frederick J. Hall. He didn’t care whether a Mr. Horace King was good or not — he gave Hall his power of attorney to unload all interests in Kaolatype to King [MTLTP 204-5]. Note: Sam’s losses from Kaolatype, an engraving process, amounted to $50,000 [A. Hoffman 302]. Horace King of Thompsonville, Conn. had applied to buy the rights for the process.

August 25 Thursday – Webster & Co. Wrote to Sam that “unless we hear from you to the contrary, Mr. Hall will come to Elmira on Tuesday, leaving N.Y. on the 7.55 train Monday” [MTP].

August 25 Saturday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, responding to his letter of Aug. 22. One particular stock had been in the hands of Henry C. Robinson, who had procured it for Sam originally. Sam directed Whitmore to sell the rest. He planned to go to Chicago for the Sept.

August 25 Monday – Sam was in Washington, D.C.

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam about Ma and sorry that Sam “had to leave so soon.” [MTP].

August 26 Friday – Sam telegraphed from Boston to Charles Webster (“at residence of S.L. Clemens”), probably about the mason and plumber, William & Robert Garvie and James Ahern. Sam wrote on Aug. 12 about problems with the kitchen remodel.

August 26 Saturday – In Elmira, Sam inscribed two correspondence cards to two unidentified persons, on one drawing a cat and on the other drawing a cow [MTP].

“I could not think of a sentiment—they won’t come on demand—so I have substituted pictures…”[MTP].

The New Orleans Times-Democrat ran a description of a Natchez cotton mill that Sam would quote in LM [Gribben 502].

August 26 Wednesday – Webster & Co. per Frederick J. Hall wrote “pleasure to report that in round numbers the reported sales up to date are 151,000 sets” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Immense news”

August 26 Thursday – Frederick J. Hall wrote Sam about the job of gathering statistics from newspapers:

I have visited nearly all the large Agencies, but they will not undertake the job; however, I think I have some one now who will put it through successfully. Will let you know positively in a few days. They all say it is a very difficult piece of work, and rather out of their line. Rowell refuses to undertake it at any price.

August 26 Friday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, finally getting a good night’s sleep.

I didn’t know I was carrying a load of anxiety, but I suppose I was; for after receiving your letter yesterday evening showing that your & Paige’s estimates went nothing beyond my own, I did not wake at 6 or 7 this morning, as usual, but slept through several interruptions till 11.30 [MTP].

Check #  Payee  Amount  [Notes]

August 26 Tuesday – Sam was in Washington, D.C. staying at the Arlington Hotel. He wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore directing him to pay the Paige staff without reduction for the month of August.

I have been here ever since last Friday, & may be here one day more — & possibly a week. Who knows? But there’s no help for it, though it is dull waiting [MTP]. Note: Sam was waiting for Senator John P. Jones to get free from his senatorial duties.

August 27 to 29 Monday – Sam was possibly in Boston past Aug. 26 a day or two, but by Aug. 30 was back in Elmira [MTHL 1: 371n5]. In an Aug. 31 letter to the Gerhardts, Sam referred to seeing Augustus Saint-Gaudens “two or three days ago” on the train, which would set his return to Aug. 28 or 29 [MTP].

August 27 Sunday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Annie Moffett Webster. Sam, trying to clear up the accusations about Annie’s husband, Charles Webster, wanted her side of the story. Sam asked a numbered list of questions about Pamela Moffett, Charley, Annie and deeding half of Annie’s house; about Dunkirk land; about Pamela’s will; silverware, a sewing machine; and Pamela’s state of mind.

August 27 Monday – Orion Clemens wrote a short note: “Just deposited William the Conqueror in the American Express Office Herr Bob Ogdon charged me 90 cents a page, and will allow me 30 cents a thousand for setting it up” [MTP].

August 27 Thursday –Sam wrote from Mt. Onteora, New York to Miss Nettie (last name not given).

“Dear Miss Nettie— /Anybody can tell the bare truth: let us study to adorn it./ Truly Yours / Mark Twain” [MTP].

August 27 Saturday – In Elmira Sam answered advice from Franklin G. Whitmore, with a two-line note. Sam wouldn’t sell some bonds as he’d contemplated, and told Whitmore that his “judgment is correct” [MTP].

August 27 Monday – Sam wrote to Orion Clemens evidently suggesting they wait to build on to the house. Sam’s letter is not extant but referred to in Orion’s Aug. 31 response [MTP].

August 27 Tuesday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore about a letter received the day before which filled him “with apprehensions.” Sam prepared to leave for Hartford but then received a letter from Whitmore (not extant) “& felt differently.”

August 27 Wednesday – In Washington D.C. Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore asking for a “small speech printed on proof-slips” he’d left in a “green tin box near your table in the billiard room.” The speech had been written but never given. It contained statistics for wage-saving machines like the cotton gin, corn-sheller, etc., and Sam wanted it mailed to Senator Jones [MTP].

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam thanking for the $200 monthly check. Ma was suffering still with difficulty now in breathing. “I am dieting on coffee and milk alone, for my cold” [MTP].

August 28 Monday – Robert D. Brain wrote from Springfield, Ohio, wanting his advice on how he could retain rights of his stories after selling them to publications [MTP].

Joel Chandler Harris wrote from Atlanta to “inquire how you are coming on in a general way, and particularly with regard to lumbago.” He told of being the only sober man at a New York “farewell dinner” at the Tile Club, watching everyone “go to pieces” [MTP].

August 28 Tuesday – Worden & Co. sent statement to July 31 and asked for $1,800 on margin call [MTP].