April 16 Saturday — Andrew Carnegie wrote from NYC to Sam: “So glad you are reported better this morning gives me hopes you are to weather the storm & be spared to us a while longer—so be it....When you get real chatty again if you can not come down I’d like to make a pilgrimage to your shrine just to get a few sniffs of a real genuine work a day saint...” [MTP].
The Man in the White Suit: Day By Day
April 17 Sunday - Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch and her husband arrived at Stormfield. This was reported by the New York Times, p. 6, Apr. 18:
MARK TWAIN SEEMS BETTER.
Arrival of Daughter from Abroad Brightens Sick Man Considerably.
April 18 Monday — The New York Times, Apr. 19, p. 9 datelined Apr. 18 Redding, announced improvement:
Mark Twain Improving.
REDDING, Conn., April 18.—Samuel L, Clemens, (Mark ‘Twain,) who is seriously ill with heart disease at his home near here had a restful night and was brighter and to all appearances better today. Dr. Robert H, Halsey who has been with Mr. Clemens since Saturday, went to New York this morning, seemingly satisfied with the progress Mr. Clemens was making.
April 19 Tuesday - The New York Times, p. 18, Apr. 20, datelined Apr. 19 Redding, announced:
Mark Twain a Little Weaker.
REDDING, Conn,, April 19.—Samuel L. Clemens, (Mark Twain,) who is here trying to regain his health after the severe attack of heart trouble that prostrated him on the voyage from Bermuda to New York last week, is a little weaker. Dr. Robert Halsey of New York issued a statement tonight as follows:
April 20 Wednesday — The New York Times, Apr. 21, datelined Apr. 20 Danbury, announced:
MARK TWAIN SINKING.
Author’s Condition is Critical, but He Is Expected to Live Through the Night.
Special to The New York Times.
April 21 Thursday — Sam began a note to daughter Clara which he evidently didn’t finish: “Dear / You didn’t tell me, but I have found out that you—well, I [rest illegible].”
At 7:30 a.m. Sam wrote a note to Albert B. Paine asking for his spectacles and for a glass pitcher. It was the last piece of writing he would ever do [MTP].
During the day, Albert B. Paine wrote for Sam to Dorothy Quick.
Dear Dorothy:
April 22 Friday — William Dean Howells wrote to Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch after learning the sad news:
I found Mr. Paine’s telegram when I came in late last night; and suddenly your father was set apart from all other men in a strange majesty. Death had touched his familiar image into historic grandeur.
You have lost a father. Shall I dare tell you of the desolation of an old man who has lost a friend, and finds himself alone in the great world which has now wholly perished around?
April 23 Saturday — Jervis Langdon II diary entry:
April 24 Sunday — Jervis Langdon II diary entry:
Sun. April 24, 1910, Raining when we arrived at Elmira, Father there to meet us. Lee & the children well. Funeral services at 3.30, Mr. Eastman very good—his prayer wonderful. He was very brief. Father met Mr. Paine, Mr. Duneka and Maj. Leigh. To the cemetery in heavy downpour which was continuously a part of the day. We got a carriage & took the children down to Mothers. Clara & Ossip seemed to like them .All except I of the party returned on No. 8 [Jerome & Wisbey 154].