New York City 1900-1901

June 13 Thursday – Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam, enclosing $700 and referencing “a certain conversation held in George B. Harvey’s office, some several weeks ago” about selling a special set of Mark Twain’s books (CY, P&P, HF, LM, TS, and Hadleyburg) by their subscription dept. They asked for Sam’s signature on a voucher which would lower his royalty from 27 & ½ cents per book to 20 cents, as they felt they could only sell 12,000 books at the higher rate but 30,000 if he agreed to the lower [MTP].

June 14 Friday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Susan Crane that he liked “that proposed gravestone exceedingly” and thanked her for arranging it. “I have penciled a comma into one of the verses—the only correction needed”[MTP]. Note: the mention of verses denotes possibly Susy’s gravestone.

Sam also wrote to George V.W. Duryee, of Adirondack Park Co., rental agent in Lake Saranac, N.Y., dictating to Frances A. Ramsay, stenographer.

June 16 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Answered Harper proposition for reduction of 7 ½ cents royalty per vol., declining to accede” [NB 44 TS 12].

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

238 Self 300.00

239 NY Central RR 98.50

June 17 Monday – An unidentified book sent by Frank Fuller arrived at Sam’s N.Y. residence [June 18 to Fuller].

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

240 Whitmore 460.00

June 18 Tuesday – At 4:50 p.m., Sam waited at the Holland House, an eleven-story marble hotel at 5th Ave. and 30th Street, for H.H. Rogers. Urban H. Broughton, Rogers’ son- in-law, came to advise Sam that Rogers was still in Fairhaven and would not return “for a day or two yet” [June 19 to Rogers].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Frank Fuller.

June 19 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “J.L. Underwood National Arts Club 7.30 | W. 34th near B’way N. side” [NB 44 TS 12].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Elizabeth W. Gilbert. “It is a charming letter & gives me great pleasure. I think you will write a book some day, & I hope I shall live to read it” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers.

June – On a Tuesday, from 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Joe Twichell.

Well, it is funny. The country’s political morals & ideals have sunk pretty nearly to zero in the past two years, but I had not suspected that anybody had dropped to the point of thinking the clergy bribable. Seriously, it is an astonisher. Could it have happened 20 years ago? No, it couldn’t. I don’t know but that this is zero.

June 20 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Write Mr. Clarence Gordon & name a Thursday to read an old article. East side House Settlement, 76th St & East River. He will describe how I am to come, & perhaps meet me at one of the points” [NB 44 TS 12]. Note: Sam made no further NB entries until Sept 24, 1901.

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

244 Will & Banner co 6.00

245 H.b. cushman & co 5.15

June 3 Monday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers on an envelope from Whitmore’s long letter of May 23:

“These have come from Whitmore but not the big check-book.

“I have been hard at work ever since the time you didn’t turn up at Mr. Broughton’s, but I am coming down soon” [MTHHR 461]. Note: for the enclosures, see source n2.

June 4 Tuesday – Sam’s canceled check survives:

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

228 Mrs F A Ramsay 20.43

June 5 Wednesday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam sent a telegram to Miss Mazie Robinson, 420 Main St, Hartford: “I HAVE TRIED HARD TO ARRANGE SO THAT I COULD ACCEPT BUT HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED PLEASE GIVE MY LOVE AND PATRIARCHIAL BLESSINGS TO THE CLUB” [MTP]. Note: the 1900 Geer’s City Directory for Hartford lists Henry S. Robinson, John T. Robinson, and Mary S. Robinson at this address on Main; John was in the late Henry C. Robinson’s lawfirm letterhead.

June 6 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “A.A. Adee Asst. Sec. State 1601” [NB 44 TS 11]. Note: Alvey Augustus Adee (1842-1924), Second Assistant Secretary of State under John Hay; a bachelor and bicycle enthusiast who was almost totally deaf, Adee was a recognized expert on Shakespeare and on foreign affairs, and in the office since 1869, when appointed by Grover Cleveland.

Check # Payee Amount [Notes]

June 7 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Go with Mr Rogers” [NB 44 TS 11].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Charles Erskine Scott Wood, in Portland, Ore. Wood was an old West Point man, and a member of the Anti-Imperialist movement.

I am so sorry you interred that noble poem in an obscure publication. It should have been sent to the North American, whence it would have been copied into even hostile publications purely on account of its merit as a poem.

June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ 27th birthday. Sam took a quick trip to Elmira for the funeral of J.D.F. Slee, who died the day before [Wisbey’s notes per Mark Woodhouse, Elmira College].

Sam’s notebook: “E.W. Fairchild 326 Clinton ave Bridgeport, Ct / V.P. Gibney M.D. 16 Park Ave N.Y.” [NB 44 TS 11].

June 9 Sunday – In Elmira, Sam acted as pallbearer at the funeral services for J.D.F. Slee (John De La Fletcher Slee; 1837-1901) who died on June 7. The Elmira Daily Gazette, June 10, 5:2, reported the funeral:

LATE J.D.F. SLEE

———

The Funeral was Held at the Residence Sunday Afternoon.

———

March 1 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Dinner at Eno’s 8” [NB 44 TS 6].

E. Vauluf of St. Augustine, Fla. wrote to Sam, “all honor to you for standing by them” (the Boers) [MTP].

March 10 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora Wh[eeler] Keith ? | Mrs. Boyle here 7.30” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Moncure D. Conway, now in the City. Sam wrote in care of Harper’s.

March 11 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Mr. Mitchell, 7.30 24 W.10th” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, enclosing Whitmore’s Mar. 9.

March 12 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora Wh[eeler] Keith ? Aldine dinner—see 19th Feb.” [NB 44 TS 7]. Note: on Feb. 19 Sam entered and then lined through: “Aldine dinner in honor of Howells, new Pres. Of Natl Institute Arts Letters,” reflecting perhaps a postponement or an error.

Fatout lists a speech by Mark Twain at a dinner honoring William Dean Howells. No particulars are given but the above NB entry confirms [MT Speaking 668].

March 13 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “2 p.m., U.S. Court Rooms, Jno. Shields, examiner, Post office” [NB 44 TS 7].

Sam Clemens testified before US Commissioner John Shields on a lawsuit brought by Rudyard Kipling against R.F. Fenno, publishers. The New York Times, Mar. 14, p.3, headlined that Mark Twain was a witness and smoked and testified.

MARK TWAIN A WITNESS

———

Summoned in Rudyard Kipling’s Suit Against Publishers.

———

March 14 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a postcard to Frances A. Ramsay, stenographer, hoping she could come the next day at 2 or 2:30 p.m., as he had an “accumulation of letters” [MTP].

March 15 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Stenographer, 2 or 2.30. 7.30-engaged” [NB 44 TS 7].

March 16 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Male teachers of N.Y.? 6.30. I better go at 8.15. / Irving Bacheller there. Hotel Albert. Van E. Kilpatrick. Carriage will call for me at 8.15. General topic, Training of a citizen” [NB 44 TS 7].

The whirl of speaking engagements continued with Mark Twain talking at the Hotel Albert for the monthly supper of the Male Teachers’ Association of N.Y.C. The New York Times, Mar. 17, p.2, reported:

MARK TWAIN ON TRAINING THAT PAYS

———

March 17 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Possibly Mr. Bartholomew” [NB 44 TS 7].

March 18 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “11, Stenographer. Conway & Harrison, 6.30. Century Club 7 W. 43d” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a short paragraph to Frank Bliss that he expected the American Publishing Co. to continue to add works to his 22 volumes in the Uniform Edition as they were written and published elsewhere [MTP].