November 10 Tuesday – Sam attended the Danbury, Conn. trial of the two burglars, Charles Hoffman and Henry Williams. The New York Times, Nov. 11, 1908, p. 5 reported on the trial:
TWAIN’S BURGLARS ON TRIAL.
———
Author on Witness Stand Identifies Silverware They Stole from Him.
November 11 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “More trial—a weary day in court. Benar stayed to go with me, and be with me. Paine came for billiards with the King. At dinner I went to pieces” [MTP: IVL TS 79].
The New York Times, p. 4, reported on the sentencing of Mark Twain’s burglars:
TWAIN BURGLARS SENTENCED.
———
Men Who Broke Into Samuel L. Clemens’s Home Get Prison Terms.
November 12 Thursday – Sam’s A.D. for this date focused again on the two burglars at Stormfield [Hill 209]. Note: Sam also dictated on the burglary on Oct. 6 and Dec. 8.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “In bed all day, worn out. Paine came and dined with the King” [MTP: IVL TS 79].
Frank N. Doubleday wrote to Lyon (though catalogued to Clemens) [MTP].
November 13 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Benar came back to us, but still I am ill. My forces are very much scattered” [MTP: IVL TS 79].
American Geographical Soc., NYC Per Chandler Robbins sent Sam a printed list of officers with dues of ten dollars [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Many thanks but he is resigning from clubs & societies rather than joining them. And has retired to the country to reside”; and “Ans. Nov. 25 MLH”
November 14 Saturday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote a poem and a note to Margaret Blackmer.
BE GOOD, BE GOOD. A Poem.
November 15 Sunday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Champ Clark (James Beauchamp Clark) (1850-1921), prominent democrat politician, speaker of the House of Representatives (1911-1919), at this time a Congressman from Missouri.
When you come East won’t you run up here (an hour & a half from New York), & stay a day or two with me & talk copyright extension?
I’ve got a new scheme. This time there ought to be no objectors, for my plan advantages
Private.
Dear Mr. Clark:
November 16 Monday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Zoheth S. Freeman, who had just been chosen as vice president of Liberty National Bank, N.Y.C.
Dear Freeman:
I thank you ever so much for accepting that trust. There is no one in the world I would prefer to you for that friendly office.
November 17 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Benares came back” [MTP: IVL TS 79].
Frank Bohrer, “a poor boy afflicted with locomotor ataxia which caused blindness” wrote from Sherrill, NY to ask Sam for a signed picture postcard [MTP]. Note: “Autogr. Sent Dec 7. 08. MLH”
Elva Fernald wrote from Topeka, Kans. to Sam, about to give a talk on Mark Twain, and thinking “a few words directly from” his pen “would add greatly to the enjoyment…” [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Unable to grant request”
November 18 Wednesday – Sam’s new guestbook (and Lyon’s journal TS 80):
Name Address Date Remarks
Frank Nelson Doubleday )
Neltje D.G. Doubleday ) 11 East 16th st. New York Nov. 18-19 -> The perfect pair [D.G. = De Graff]
Note: Neltje de Graff Doubleday (Mrs. Frank N. Doubleday) (1865-1918)
November 19 Thursday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Judge Wm Scoville Case ) Danbury Nov. 19 Judge & state’s attorney
Stiles Judson ) who tried the burglars
Note: in the original guestbook one additional name is listed, Bettye D.G. Doubleday, Mill Neck, L.I.
November 20 Friday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Lord Northcliffe ) London ) Nov. 20-21
Col. George Harvey ) New York
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Very bad headache. / Lord Northcliffe and Col. Harvey came up for the night” [MTP: IVL TS 80].
November 21 Saturday – In Redding, Conn. Sam inscribed a copy of Eve’s Diary to Mary Elizabeth Milner Harmsworth (Mrs. Alfred Harmsworth); Baroness Northcliffe; 1868- 1963): “To Lady Northcliffe with the compliments of the Author. / Adam at Eve’s Grave: / ‘Wheresoever she was, There was Eden’ (page 109)./ Nov 21/08” [MTP].
Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Commodore D. Dow, R.N.R. R.M.S. “Caronia” Nov. 21-24
November 22 Sunday – In Redding, Conn., Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to Helen Keller.
Dear Miss Keller:
November 23 Monday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to William Dean Howells, addressing the letter:
“Mr. W. D. Howells |at the Burlington just aft the Holland House, 30th st., on the port tack as you pull out of 5th avenue reaching for 6th, on a taut bowline. New York City |N. Y.”
Dear Howells:
There’ll be a vacant bed Friday Nov 26th—do come up & occupy it & stay a few days. The early train (for Redding) leaves the Grand Central at 8.50 a.m.
November 24 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Will arrived early and Santa. / Prof. Sanford came today to see about having the library moved to Redding Centre. The Hawaiian mantel came today, but the beautiful Koa wood has been polished until it is terribly yellow, and it won’t go anywhere. Steve Barr and Mr. Adams lugged it around from billiard to dining room— but the polish of it was fearful. The King declared it too offensive, but suggested that all the wonderful shine be scraped off—so the men carried it to the garage to reduce its coloring [MTP: IVL TS 80-81].
November 25 Wednesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Margery Hamilton Clinton, 39 E. 57th, N.Y.C.
Dear Plumber:
Oh no, bless your heart, you are not in any danger of losing your job. All you have to do is to be sweet, & look sweet, & sit around & let on to plumb, same as the others do. These are the only requirements in your case, & they will always come easy to you. Your job is quite secure.
November 26 Thursday – Thanksgiving – Elizabeth Wallace, whom Sam had met upon his arrival in Bermuda on Jan. 26, arrived at Stormfield for a visit of several days. She is listed for this day in Sam’s new guestbook, with his note under Remarks: “Stayed several days but not long enough. Blackmer, discovered her in Bermuda about a year ago.” She left Stormfield the morning of Nov. 29. In her 1914 recollection, Mark Twain and the Happy Island, Wallace writes:
November 27 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The King read for the benefit of the Library” [MTP: IVL TS 81].
Elizabeth Wallace describes the events of a full day at Stormfield:
November 28 Saturday – Elizabeth Wallace describes the events of her last day’s stay at Stormfield:
November 29 Sunday – Elizabeth Wallace ended her visit and left Stormfield on an early train.
November 30 Monday – Sam’s 73rd Birthday. The New York Times, Dec. 1, p.1 “Mark Twain is 73.” announced that Sam passed his birthday “quietly at his home…As was his custom, Mr. Clemens took his morning ride, passing the remainder of the day with his household.”
In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Berlin, Germany.
December – Cooley writes of the decline of the Aquarium Club, something notable in less correspondence beginning this month:
December 1 Tuesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Marjorie Breckenridge.
December 3 Thursday – William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.
December 4 Friday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Elizabeth Jordan.
Dear Miss Jordan: