Vol 3 Section 1087

Amy S. Hutton wrote from Tyringham, Mass to Sam. She had heard of Jean’s accident. A trained nurse, she offered her services and a wish for a “speedy recovery” [MTP].

Jervis Langdon II wrote from Elmira to Sam, having read in the NY papers of Jean’s horseback accident, relieved that it was not reported serious. For legal reasons he reported that he and his father would both have to be appointed administrators of Livy’s estate, though he felt he had no more right to be that than a stranger. The petition for election to the position was to be made to the county. “…it will be necessary to state approximately the value of the personal property…10 DuVal, Florida bonds, $500 each…813 shares J.L. & Co.’s stock, estimated value $20 per share…57 shares Brooklyn Union Gas stock (with Miss Harrison) …Kindly let us know if here is any or other personal property of the nature stated above…” [MTP].

August 3 Wednesday – Sam was in New York City, likely staying at the Grosvenor Hotel.

Otto Spengler for Argus Pressclipping Bureau re-sent again the form letter of Aug. 2 [MTP].

August 4 Thursday – Sam traveled from N.Y. to Lee, Mass: Isabel Lyon wrote in her journal on Aug.

       “Last evening Mr. Clemens arrived and this afternoon Santissima [Clara] went back to N.Y.” [Hill 97]. Note: since Clara stayed with Jean for three days, she arrived Aug. 1.

Alice Hegan Rice wrote a short note from Hyannisport, Mass. to Sam, pasting a short verse on it, and

writing, “if this doesn’t warrant a house in your vest pocket, then I am no judge of literature” [MTP]. Note: the verse remains in the file, suggesting Sam did not feel the same.

August 5 Friday

August 6 Saturday – In Lee, Mass. Sam wrote to his nephew Samuel E. Moffett now in Mr. Vernon, N.Y.

Yes, Clara has been in New York, but we keep it private because her health is in a wrecked condition & it is a damage to her to see anyone. She could not escape, here.

She came up last Tuesday—being uneasy about Jean who is doing plenty well enough & doesn’t need her; so she & Katy returned to New York to-day. The two railway trips will do her a damage, sure.

Jean is full of bangs & bruises, both fore & aft, & has a leg in plaster of paris & will keep her bed for a fortnight, but she reads & writes & plays games & is having a pleasant time. / With love to you all / SLC / As regards one thing there is no doubt: being flung 50 feet along with a horse gave Jean’s system a stirring up which has very greatly improved her general health. At first her accident was regarded as a piece of ill luck. But the returns were not all in, then. Indeed, none but the Deity can tell what is good luck & what is bad before the returns are all in [MTP].

On or after this day Sam also wrote to Alice Hegan Rice, who had sent or given him samples of her forthcoming (1909) book, Mr. Opp, probably on her July 26 visit [MTP: Alice H. Rice, The Inky Way, 1940, p.76]. See Gribben 576.

Ralph W. Ashcroft for the Plasmon Co. wrote to Sam, heading it “CONFIDENTIAL”:

The Plasmon “freeze-out” was inaugurated yesterday, when all the company’s property, patent rights, etc., were hypothecated in favor of Mr. Hammond, despite cabled protest from the English Company.

Mr. Hammond is loaning the Company $10,000 for thirty days, and takes the Company’s note therefor, with all its property as collateral. If the note is not paid at maturity (and he does not expect it to be), he has announced (through Mr. Wheeler) that he will forclose on it, and assume sole ownership of the Company’s

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