Vol 3 Section 0556
Filipino has been a good deal of damage to him” [MTP; Gribben 653]. The last source identifies Sonnichsen’s book as Ten Months a Captive among Filipinos; Being a Narrative of … Imprisonment on the Island of Luzon (1901).
Sam replied to the effusive praise of “Sitting in Darkness,” Mar. 5, from Edwin A. Brenholtz: “Although you, in charity and kindness for a busy man have forborne to require an answer, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of saying, out of my heart, I thank you” [Tenney from Gribben Oct. 1982].
March 19 Tuesday – Henry C. Klinke of Cleveland, Ohio wrote to Sam (only the env.survives) [MTP].
March 20 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Opera Harvey” [NB 44 TS 7].
The Minneapolis Tribune, p.1 ran the political cartoon (insert); top caption: “The Best Joke Yet”; bottom caption: “The G.O.P. ‘Wow! Yah! Yah! Ho! Ho! Oh, wow! M-M-Mark you—Oh, Lordy! You always was a funny fellow.’”
March 21 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Henry Holt 7.30 711 Madison Ave” [NB 44 TS 7].
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to John White Alexander:
“Is it strictly private, & no reporters? If so, that’s in my line. Am I too impudent?” [MTP]. See Aug. 10, 1888.
James L. Hickok of Binghamton, N.Y. wrote to Sam requesting a lecture to help raise funds for a public library [MTP].
Eleanore W. Sheffield a Missionary of the American Board wrote from Peking, China, observing that by the time he read this letter he would probably have realized his mistake in “Sitting in Darkness”; Sheffield hoped “his sense of justice” would “not fail” [MTP].
March 22 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Have asked Mr. Dodge to dinner. | Dickson et al 10.30 Benj. Curtis at 10.45” [NB 44 TS 7].
The New York Times ran claims of libel against Mark Twain, p.16:
DEMAND THAT TWAIN RETRACT.
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Missionaries Say Statement by Him in The North American Review Is Libelous.
“Mark Twain” has brought down upon his head the wrath of the Peking Missionary Association and the American Board of Foreign Missions, who both demand that the author-humorist retract statements made in an article by him in the February issue of The North American Review. The article, it is alleged, contained a libelous attack on Missionary W. S. Ament of the American Board of Foreign Missions.
Col. George B. M. Harvey, editor of The North American Review, yesterday received the following cablegram:
Peking Missionary Association demands public retraction Twain’s gross libel against Ament; utterly false.
SECRETARY.
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.