Riverdale-on-the-Hudson DBD

March – Munsey’s Magazine for March included George W. Smalley’s article, “American Authors Aborad,” p. 774-7. Tenney: “Contains a rather general discussion of MT’s popularity in England , personally and as a lecturer, but no new information” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Second Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1978 p. 172].

March 2 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Julius Chambers (1850-1920) author, about letters and packages which had been misdirected: “My address is exceedingly simple—nothing could be simpler: ‘S.L. Clemens, New York City’” [MTP: Anderson Auction Co. catalog: Jan. 20, 1916, No. 1193, Item 146]. Note: Chambers book, The Destiny of Doris; A Travel-Story of Three Continents (1901), may have been sent to Clemens and gone astray. See Gribben 137.

March 20 Thursday – On Mar. 21 Sam wrote from the Hotel Colonial, Nassau, Bahamas to Livy about the events of this day:

We were intending to sail for Havana yesterday evening, sweetheart, but have been delayed by slow coaling-processes. We expect to get away this evening.

March 21 Friday – On board the Kanawha at Nassau, Bahamas, Sam wrote on Hotel Colonial letterhead to Livy about activities of the prior day (see entry). He added after this narrative:

The sea-colors here are all beautiful—splendid bars & stretches of brilliant green—others of brilliant blue—others of rich purple & bronze, & so on. A lady (so report says) brought away a bottle-full of each color to show home at America.

March 22 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Very hot in the staterooms last night. Governor of Nassau (Bahamas?) Sir Gilbert Carter. Have known him before. His secretary, Gladstone. Sailed at 4 pm. Arrived at Key West— uninteresting” [NB 45 TS 7].

Sam’s ship log: “Arrived at Key West. Niggers, mulattoes, whites, Spaniards, Cubans, & other human wreckage. Nothing of interest there, except for God. Apparently He is interested in anything that comes along” [MTP].

March 23 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Sailed 1 a.m. (90 m Reached Havana 7 a m Palm Sunday. Could not coal. Saw only 3 priests. Visited a church. At 3 or 4 drove in the Prado. Picturesque & interesting. Demi-monde street. ” [NB 45 TS 7].

Sam’s ship log:

Sailed at 1 a.m.

Reached Havana at 7 a.m.; 90 miles.

March 24 Monday – On board the Kanawha in Havana harbor, Sam wrote to Livy [MTP].

Dearheart, we are anchored fifty yards from the wrenched & tangled battered bunch of rusty iron which stands for the “Maine” & looks like a brobdignagian tarantula in his death-squirm.

Sam then wrote of the activities of the prior day, Mar. 23 (see entry), and finished with:

March 25 Tuesday – The Kanawha was en route around the western tip of Cuba, then south and east to Kingston, Jamaica. Sam’s notebook gives their progress: “Turned western end of Cuba 8 a.m. Balmy weather. Deep-blue sea. Flying fishes. It is 756 knots from Havana to Kingston. We have permits from H.B.M. Consul” [NB 45 TS 7]. Note: Sam’s ship log gives nearly verbatim the same report.

March 26 Wednesday – The Kanawha was en route to Kingston, Jamaica, arriving there at 5 p.m, as indicated by Sam’s notebook: “Cold salt water baths. / At breakfast in 18° N. Pointed for Jamaica. Rased the island 5 p.m.Too Late. Concluded to sail all around it” [NB 45 TS 7]. Note: Sam’s ship log gives nearly verbatim the same report.

March 27 Thursday – The Kanawha made its way to Kingston, Jamaica.

Sam’s notebook: “7 a.m. took pilot. Black, with 3 young blacks. Quite indifferent to their peril. Had to take their boat aboard—it would never have towed—sea too rough. Island densely wooded—can’t insert a knife between the trees. 9—noon. Ashore & drove. Captain of the Galena—$1” [NB 45 TS 7].

Sam’s ship log:

March 28 Friday – Sam’s Mar. 29 to Livy related this days’ activities in Kingston, Jamaica.

March 29 Saturday – On board the Kanawha in Boden, Jamaica, Sam wrote to Livy [MTP].

March 3 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam finished his Mar. 2 to Franklin G. Whitmore.

March 3. I went house-hunting in the rain yesterday afternoon—I kept this letter waiting, because I might perhaps be able to report a purchase to you. But it didn’t happen. Cheap enough house, but I wouldn’t take it as a gift.

March 30 Sunday – The Kanawha made the port of Santiago in southern Cuba, where the men “visited the points of historical interest near Santiago” [NY Times Apr. 1, 1902, p.9 “The Kanawha at Santiago”].

Sam’s notebook: “Easter / Sailed early for Santiago. Rough. Arr. 3 p.m. at the Morro Castle. Prado. Queen’s …. [Square] Well kept cats & dogs. No smoking” [NB 45 TS 8].

March 31 Monday – The Kanawha sailed from Santiago, Cuba, to Nassau, Bahamas.

Sam’s notebook: “Sailed at 8 a.m. on a 2-day stretch due north” [NB 45 TS 8]. Note: Sam’s ship log essentially the same notation.

March 4 Tuesday – Sam house hunted with a real estate agent. He later wrote, “I went alone, one day, and examined 12 country seats from garret to cellar, and it ended my usefulness, and my strength. I struck” [Mar. 3 to Whitmore; Mar. 12 to Bigelow].

March 5 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to C.H. Shelby in the Transit Bldg., N.Y.C. “Yes, I should like to try some of that water. I am not an enemy to water, now, the way I used to was, when I thought it was dangerous” [MTP].

Sam wrote a short note to Frank Bliss to settle some matters relating to the deal with Collier’s [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore (only the envelope survives) [MTP].

March 6 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “10 a.m. Benjamin—I meet him at our station” [NB 45 TS 5]. Note: likely William Evarts Benjamin, H.H. Rogers’ son-in-law, taking the train from the city for a visit.

Albert E. Davis, President of the North Side Board of Trade, read a letter of regret from Mark Twain at their eighth annual dinner in the Metropolis Theatre Hall. The New York Times, Mar. 7, p.2, “North Side Board of Trade,” printed the letter and speeches:

March 7 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to John H. Johnston. “I thank you very much for the coat of arms. This one is new to me, & I am glad to have it” [MTP: www.Autographs.com, Oct. 7, 2001].

March 8 before – C.A. Von Ramdohr sent Sam a printed page announcing the Society of Medical Jurisprudence was having its 20th Annual Dinner at the Hotel Savoy on Mar. 8 at 6:30 [MTP]. Note: Sam would attend and give a speech.

March 8 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to George B. Harvey of Harper & Brothers.

March 9 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to David Alexander Munro (1844-1910), assistant editor to George B. Harvey of the North American Review, and Greek scholar.

May 1 Thursday – Fatout lists a reading by Sam of unspecified works at Mrs. Bartholomew’s in N.Y.C. [MT Speaking 670]. Note: Fatout likely saw this NB entry, but discounted the last sentence:

May 10 Saturday – Sam wrote to Nathaniel Pasternak, his letter not extant but referred to in Pasternak’s reply of May 13.

Sam’s notebook entry lists ideas for the “50 years after” tale, never finished [NB 45 TS 12].

George W. Reeves for Hoyt & Co. wrote to Sam, enclosing a bill from the Title Co. for $289.50 for the clearing of title from Flora McDonald Casey to Olivia L. Clemens on the Tarrytown house [MTP]. 02.mpg

May 11 Sunday – Sam’s notebook entry lists ideas for the “50 years after” tale, where Huck and Tom met up with the old gang back in Hannibal 50 years after their boyhood escapades; never finished [NB 45 TS 12].

Livy’s diary: “Mr Rodman Gilder here for luncheon & tea / Mary Forth called” [MTP: DV161].

May 12 Monday – George H. Daniels, General Passenger Agent for New York Central & Hudson River Co. wrote to Sam. “Referring to conversation with my Secretary, Mr. Laing, this morning. I find that there are no state-rooms in the sleeping cars on train No. 33, leaving New York at 9:20 PM. So I have reserved for you a drawing room, the cost of which, from New York to St. Louis, will be $22.00.” The total fare was $46.25; Daniels asked for a check and he’d send the tickets [MTP].