Bankruptcy threatened Clemens after the failure of the Paige Compositor in 1891, and the family left for Europe. For five years, Twain traveled, lectured, and wrote until 1896 -- when the bills were paid. While abroad, the family met with John and Alice Day and their family. The Day family were returning to Hartford and Alice Day, Livy's long-time friend, asked whether the Days might rent the Clemens home on Farmington Avenue.

When Susy and Jean Clemens returned to Hartford to visit, they stayed with the Charles Warner family. On the day the young ladies were to leave and join the rest of the family in Europe, Susy became ill with spinal meningitis. The Day family was vacationing in the Adirondacks, but the Clemens house was opened, and Susy was made comfortable in the mahogany guest suite. A few days later, Susy died. Livy Clemens never entered the house again. In 1903, Sam sold the house to the Richard Bissell family.