Vol 3 Section 0831
George B. Harvey later had a privately printed volume of a record of the speeches and other talk at the dinner, together with a seating chart, a frontispiece portrait of Samuel Clemens, and a reproduction of the souvenir self- portrait given out as a souvenir, as well as a portrait of Thomas B. Reed, who died on Dec. 7, a few days after the dinner. The inclusion of Reed’s portrait denotes the volume was printed sometime after Dec. 7; it was titled, Mark Twain’s Birthday. Report of the Celebration of the Sixty-Seventh Thereof at the Metropolitan Club, New York, November 28th 1902. No publisher or publication date was given. See also MTB 1182-5 for another account of the evening.
Sam went to Elmira with Katy Leary and daughter Jean, likely on an overnight train; his niece, Julia Olivia Langdon was to be married the next evening, Nov. 29. Note: NB 45 TS 34 reveals the presence of Katy and Jean; they might have gone to Elmira previously, but returned with him on Dec. 3.
Howard E. Wright for the Plasmon Company wrote to Sam:
I am enclosing the note addressed to you giving the location of the Perry Picture Co.
Mr. Butters is expecting to leave for California in a few days and we are desirous of completing all calls before his departure.
Will it therefore, be convenient for you to respond to the extent of $500 without sacrificing to you at this time? [MTP]. Note: Perry Picture Co. was publisher of Perry Magazine, Boston. A note on the envelope in perhaps Isabel Lyon’s hand: “Notified that Mr. C. was out of town.” Under that, “500.00 sent.”
November 29 Saturday – In Elmira, Sam, Jean Clemens and likely Katy Leary, attended an evening wedding in the Langdon home between his niece Julia Olivia Langdon (Julie) (1871-1948) and Edward Eugene Loomis (1864-1937) [Nov. 30 to Livy]. Note: Loomis was the First Vice President of the Delaware and
Lackawanna Railroad.
Norman Lockyer sent Sam a printed “at home” Wed. 8:30 p.m. invitation with Nov. 29 written in pencil
[MTP].
Charles W. Stoddard wrote to Sam an update on the squabble with Frederick C. Harriott. He’d rec’d a telegram from Harriott: “Am Willing. Will submit as requested to Mr. Clemens…and will act on his decision” [MTP].
Harper’s Weekly included “Obituaries of Mark Twain,” by A.O. Farmer and Alice G. Howland, p.1791. Tenney: “Letters to the editor, offering humorous obituaries in response to MT’s request in ‘Amended Obituaries’ in the Nov. 15 issue, p.1704” [37]. Note: the results of Sam’s “contest.”
November 30 Sunday – Sam’s 67th Birthday. He wrote from Elmira to Livy, with a proviso to daughter Clara at the top of the letter. “Clara dear, this is to your mother, but you must not risk showing it to her without reading it first yourself.”
Dearheart, it was a beautiful wedding, beautiful; & I was careful, & watchful of my conduct & manners, & was the first to hug the new wife, & was greatly pleased with myself until Ida came & asked for a chance. After the supper I stood a little beyond the couple & received the wash of the reception-file as it broke upon them & flowed my way, just as any authorized & accredited bridesmaid would have done—& this was all volunteer-work on my part, & unasked. I suppose near 500 people—no, more than 500—passed along— everybody I had ever seen in the town in all the years. (To return to the wedding):
When the bride came marching on her father’s arm through the parted sea of faces—marching to the same old Wedding March & through the same faces—(a little faded, a little wrinkled)—33 years blew away from my life, & it was our wedding over again.
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.