Vol 3 Section 0579

At 1410 W. 10^th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote on Frank Bliss’ May 15: “Dear Bliss: You have correctly stated the

situation (above) as I understand it” [MTP]. Note: See May 15.

Sam also wrote to Barbara Mullen, wishing he could say yes to her invitation to speak at her high school, but he had too many engagements, it was “so far,” and he was “a very busy man but a very tired one.” He apologized for the US mail as her letter was postmarked May 7 but had just now reached him

[MTP]. Note: in a May 30 followup thank you for a program Mullen since sent, Sam revealed that the high school was in Hannibal, Mo.

Sam also wrote a line to James B. Pond: “Your book is making friends all the time, and I am glad for it deserves it” [MTP].

Sam also dictated a typed letter to Franklin G. Whitmore.

“I enclose check for $110.

“Yes, buy the coal, now, but buy it on the basis of our absence, for we are obliged to spend another year in New York City.”

Sam thought the Whitmore’s invitation was “lovely,” but they needed to go to Elmira “on account of Mr.

Slee’s ebbing life” [MTP]. Note: J.D.F. Slee died on June 7. See entry.

May 21 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “May 21. The first time John Mackay has mentioned that $5,000 in all these years. Said he had my vote. A surprise to me. He bought what John P. Jones called a ‘privilege,’ & paid for it. Jones did the same. I owe nothing. The idea of my borrowing money at that time! I had burdens enough without that. It was about 1890” [NB 44 TS 11]. Note: see Sam’s NB entry of July 29, 1890, Vol. II.

At 1410 W. 10^th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to R.H. Ingersoll & Brothers enclosing $1 and asking them to send him a watch [MTP]. Note above check # 215.

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore that Pratt & Whitney was still “striking for that bill of $1740.” Sam remembered a typed letter from the late attorney Henry C. Robinson to the effect that “there was no need to bother any more about the bill”—could Whitmore locate the letter and send a copy? Pratt & Whitney had made some special tools for James Paige, and Sam stated “that was plant” referred to in the bill. H.H. Rogers wanted to see “that big old check-book” and “the Paige check-stubs”; Sam thought they’d be in his billiard room at the Hartford house. He closed by asking Whitmore to check older checkbooks back to 1886 to see if any of the $1,740 was ever paid [MTP]. Note: this is the $1,744.20 bill that

P&W had been trying “As early as 10 January 1891 (CWB), and as recently as June 1898 (Whitmore to SLC, 28 June), they had tried to collect from Clemens” [MTHHR 458n1]. See several previous entries. Today a ten-year-old bill would be uncollectable in most localities due to statute of limitations.

May 22 Wednesday – Adirondack Park Co. per George V. Duryee wrote to Sam enclosing an inventory of the Camp cabin furniture [MTP].

May 23 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Mrs. Rogers” [NB 44 TS 11].

SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.