DOCSLIB.ORG

Mark Twain Library Association 109Th Annual Meeting June 11Th, 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mark Twain Library Association 109Th Annual Meeting June 11Th, 2017 Mark Twain Library Association 109th Annual Meeting June 11th, 2017 Mark Twain at Stormfield Redding, Connecticut, November, 1908 109thAnnual Meeting of the Mark Twain Library Association Agenda Call to Order Approval of the Minutes of the 2016 Annual Meeting Report of the President of the Board of Trustees Report of the Treasurer Report of the Library Director Report of the Nominating Committee Election of Trustees Old Business New Business Adjournment --------------------------------------------- VISIONS OF TWAIN: The Unveiling of 2 Masterpieces Presented by Kenneth Crook & Susan B. Durkee Mark Twain Library Association Board of Trustees Jen Wastrom, President Terry Stratton Flagg, Vice President Betsy Higgins, Treasurer Elaine Sanders, Secretary Ginny Beasley Katharine Dusenbury Richard Emerson Karen Gifford Tom Hauser Grady Jensen Midge Loery Angela Matsuoka Michael Rigby Eric Rubury Rochelle Williston _________________________ Staff Student Pages Beth Dominianni, Director Charlotte Bridwell Donna Bielaczyc Ella Chen L.J. Bridwell Kaitlyn Doer Lisa Cederbaum Lucia Gorman Mary Beth Goodwin Emily Haug Mary Hoskinson-Dean Benjamin Hubner Janet Ivaldi Ethan Landau Maureen Jones Justin Landau Maggie McIntire Katie Nolan Natalie Jorgensen Jake Rose Chris Mueller Katya Taylor Kay Reinehr Ken Rietschel Kathryn Zimmerman Remarks from the President “I realize that this is the most satisfactory house I was ever in & also the most beautiful. The Hartford house was a lovely home, but the architect damaged many of its comfort possibilities. The New York house is a roomy & pleasant house, but it is sunless, not beautiful.” Mark Twain penned these feelings about the place where we gather today in a letter to his daughter Clara on June 20, 1908, just two days after moving to Redding. 109 years ago, almost to the day. He was, at that time, widely accepted as the foremost living American writer. He was also considered the world’s funniest. In April, 1910 he received a rather unique invitation: “The Clowns of Barnum and Baileys Circus recognizing you as the world’s greatest laughmaker will consider it an honor if you will be their luncheon guest at Madison Square Garden Sunday Afternoon at 2.” Last week, after a run of 146 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - "The Greatest Show on Earth" - folded its tent for the very last time. In an age in which video games and cell phone screens compete to provide childhood wonder, the circus could no longer stand the test. But Mark Twain’s reputation as the chief American humorist has not waned one bit. Quite the opposite. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have never lost their places as required reading in schools, and remain templates for young adult fiction. His social criticisms such as those in The Gilded Age which attacked political corruption, big business and the American obsession with getting rich still ring true, very true, today. His Prince and the Pauper examined class relations, Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court leveled criticism at the period's technological explosion - issues tremendously relevant today. And in Huckleberry Finn, Twain satirized slavery and spoke strongly against the continued poor treatment of black Americans overall. I imagine he would be disappointed about the lack of change on this front. Beyond his legendary novels, Twain made insightful observations about everything from politics to the dangers of soap -- quotes that are staples for everyone from speechwriters and editorial contributors, to toastmasters, greeting cards creators and Pinterest. That man -- the most sought-after speaker of his century and a cigar-chomping truth teller for all time -- is the founder of our library. And yet as importantly impressive as that is - it is often overlooked. On this day we account for another year of dynamic library services and programs, the interesting and accessible collection circulated, the patrons of all ages generously served and the monies raised over the past th twelve months as Redding’s public library. A library which, by the way, ranks 9 out of 178 in the state in circulation per capita. A library that miraculously fundraised nearly $300,000 to keep the doors open and the fabulous staff paid. A library that is bolstered by the generosity of a community that uses and appreciates it. We are a thriving and responsive resource for Redding, this is true. But today, here at Stormfield - the home he loved the most, let’s take a minute to pinch ourselves. Let’s remember we are the only library - THE ONLY LIBRARY - founded by a literary figure with his own books and his own money. And Twain is so much more than merely a literary figure…he is an American icon. Ours is a one-of-a-kind library with remarkably impressive one-of-a-kind roots. We are Mark Twain’s library. Yours Respectfully, Jen Wastrom Library Director’s Report June 2017 This year as the town celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Mark Twain Library celebrates its 109th year of service to the town’s citizens. It has been a steady partnership that stood the test of time. By now, the library’s unique founding story is very familiar to many. In 1908, the same year Samuel Clemens moved to town, he determined that the town’s farmers would have a library. Through his own generosity and that of others, he realized his dream. His charm and wit resulted in a local farmer “donating” the land to build the current library, the use of a chapel to house the growing collection while the library construction was underway, and even free architectural drawings. Twain was nothing if not persuasive. He even held the first successful fundraiser in the library’s history at Stormfield. Today we celebrate on the same property in a beautiful home that is a replica of the original. How fitting. And, as we gather for the Friend’s annual meeting this year, I just can’t help wondering how Twain would view what is now business as usual for the library. Would he be surprised that every year the library welcomes thousands of library friends and visitors who come to enjoy a program, savor the beautiful atmosphere, borrow a book or other material or work without distractions. How could he have known that users never have to step inside, but instead borrow materials through one of our very popular downloadable resources. I suspect he would have loved the hundreds of programs for children and been excited about the craft and maker programs. He was after all the inventor of the self-sticking scrapbook and a father. But it has been more than business as usual for the Mark Twain Library this year. It has been so exciting and remarkable for so many other reasons. Over the summer 300 children participated in our summer reading program. We awarded our first ever Fishkin Family Book Buff Award to two children whose book-loving enthusiasm made them our best readers of the summer. In November, we hosted Buddhist monks who created a world peace mandala right in the center of the library and then swept up the sand to return it to nature. Hundreds of visitors respectfully watched them at work. The Library’s Great Decisions series met with enthusiastic response from its participants as they discussed foreign affairs. In the spring, the Library’s Small Business Circle unveiled its bizBook, a directory of members and their services to share with the community. All this - and much more - is possible because of the library’s fantastic friends and volunteers. Along with the hardest-working board in the land and a terrific caring staff, you make the library so special and let us do special things. Thank you for being a friend, for volunteering and for assuring the library continues to flourish. Thanks to you, Redding has a remarkable legacy, a library that connects and enriches the community every day. Respectfully, Beth Dominianni Library Director Library Use & Collection Statistics 2016-2017 2015-2016 Book Collection Adult 35,522 35,215 Juvenile 23,836 22,197 TOTAL 59,358 57,412 Audio-Visual Collection 10,114 10,494 TOTAL COLLECTIONS 69,472 67,906 Book Circulation Adult 43,102 45,959 Juvenile 25,238 24,797 TOTAL 68,340 70,756 Audio-Visual Circulation Adult 48,123 49,113 Juvenile 3,408 3,795 TOTAL 51,531 52,908 TOTAL CIRCULATION 119,871 123,664 Reference Questions 3,903 3,687 New Library Users Adult 284 250 Juvenile 81 110 TOTAL 365 360 This Year’s Programs Number Attendance Adult 103 5,330 Children (includes Story Times) 279 6,263 Financial Summary (unaudited) OPERATING REVENUES OPERATING EXPENSES 2016-17 2016-17 ˾ Town Appropriation 56.0% ˾ Compensation 56.0% ˾ Fundraising / Contributions 33.0% ˾ Books, Media, Serials 14.3% ˾ Endowment / Reserves 3.0% and Online Services ˾ Restricted Income 4.0% ˾ Program Supplies 1.3% ˾ Library Services 4.0% ˾ Maintenance 11.5% ˾ State Grant 0.40% ˾ Utilities 4.0% ˾ Investment Income 0.23% ˾ Computer Services 3.8% ˾ Insurance 3.1% ˾ Association Expense 2.9% ˾ Development 3.1% FUNDRAISING / CONTRIBUTIONS 2014-17 $300K ˾ Pudd’nhead ˾ Book Fair $250K ˾ Annual Appeal $200K ˾ Art Show ˾ Frog Frolic $150K $100K $50K 0 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Programs & Events 2016-2017 250th Town Anniversary Celebration @MTL Redding Remembers Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 (film) Danbury Raid of 1777 (w/DAR) Kick off of One Book One Town - My Brother Sam Art @MTL Artscapades Lectures series Art Show Gala and Week Long Art Show Art Show Closing Reception Authors, Poets & Dramatists @MTL Richard Zacks author of Chasing the Last Laugh Larry Kuldow discusses JFK and the Reagan Revolution Barry Meiser
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Samuel Clemens Carriage House) 351 Farmington Avenue WABS Hartford Hartford County- Connecticut
    MARK TWAIN CARRIAGE HOUSE HABS No. CT-359-A (Samuel Clemens Carriage House) 351 Farmington Avenue WABS Hartford Hartford County- Connecticut WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE DATA REDUCED COPIES OF THE MEASURED DRAWINGS PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 m HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY MARK TWAIN CARRIAGE HOUSE HABS NO. CT-359-A Location: Rear of 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. USGS Hartford North Quadrangle, Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinates; 18.691050.4626060. Present Owner. Occupant. Use: Mark Twain Memorial, the former residence of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (better known as Mark Twain), now a house museum. The carriage house is a mixed-use structure and contains museum offices, conference space, a staff kitchen, a staff library, and storage space. Significance: Completed in 1874, the Mark Twain Carriage House is a multi-purpose barn with a coachman's apartment designed by architects Edward Tuckerman Potter and Alfred H, Thorp as a companion structure to the residence for noted American author and humorist Samuel Clemens and his family. Its massive size and its generous accommodations for the coachman mark this structure as an unusual carriage house among those intended for a single family's use. The building has the wide overhanging eaves and half-timbering typical of the Chalet style popular in the late 19th century for cottages, carriage houses, and gatehouses. The carriage house apartment was
    [Show full text]
  • The Letters of Mark Twain, Complete by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
    The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete By Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) 1 VOLUME I By Mark Twain MARK TWAIN'S LETTERS I. EARLY LETTERS, 1853. NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA We have no record of Mark Twain's earliest letters. Very likely they were soiled pencil notes, written to some school sweetheart --to "Becky Thatcher," perhaps--and tossed across at lucky moments, or otherwise, with happy or disastrous results. One of those smudgy, much-folded school notes of the Tom Sawyer period would be priceless to-day, and somewhere among forgotten keepsakes it may exist, but we shall not be likely to find it. No letter of his boyhood, no scrap of his earlier writing, has come to light except his penciled name, SAM CLEMENS, laboriously inscribed on the inside of a small worn purse that once held his meager, almost non-existent wealth. He became a printer's apprentice at twelve, but as he received no salary, the need of a purse could not have been urgent. He must have carried it pretty steadily, however, from its 2 appearance--as a kind of symbol of hope, maybe--a token of that Sellers-optimism which dominated his early life, and was never entirely subdued. No other writing of any kind has been preserved from Sam Clemens's boyhood, none from that period of his youth when he had served his apprenticeship and was a capable printer on his brother's paper, a contributor to it when occasion served. Letters and manuscripts of those days have vanished--even his contributions in printed form are unobtainable.
    [Show full text]
  • Literary Destinations
    LITERARY DESTINATIONS: MARK TWAIN’S HOUSES AND LITERARY TOURISM by C2009 Hilary Iris Lowe Submitted to the graduate degree program in American studies and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _________________________________________ Dr. Cheryl Lester _________________________________________ Dr. Susan K. Harris _________________________________________ Dr. Ann Schofield _________________________________________ Dr. John Pultz _________________________________________ Dr. Susan Earle Date Defended 11/30/2009 2 The Dissertation Committee for Hilary Iris Lowe certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Literary Destinations: Mark Twain’s Houses and Literary Tourism Committee: ____________________________________ Dr. Cheryl Lester, Chairperson Accepted 11/30/2009 3 Literary Destinations Americans are obsessed with houses—their own and everyone else’s. ~Dell Upton (1998) There is a trick about an American house that is like the deep-lying untranslatable idioms of a foreign language— a trick uncatchable by the stranger, a trick incommunicable and indescribable; and that elusive trick, that intangible something, whatever it is, is the something that gives the home look and the home feeling to an American house and makes it the most satisfying refuge yet invented by men—and women, mainly by women. ~Mark Twain (1892) 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5 ABSTRACT 7 PREFACE 8 INTRODUCTION: 16 Literary Homes in the United
    [Show full text]
  • Download the Boys' Life of Mark Twain
    The Boys' Life of Mark Twain by Albert Bigelow Paine The Boys' Life of Mark Twain by Albert Bigelow Paine This etext was produced by Pat Castevans THE BOYS' LIFE OF MARK TWAIN By Albert Bigelow Paine CONTENTS PREFACE I. THE FAMILY OF JOHN CLEMENS II. THE NEW HOME, AND UNCLE JOHN QUARLES'S FARM III. SCHOOL IV. EDUCATION OUT OF SCHOOL V. TOM SAWYER AND HIS BAND VI. CLOSING SCHOOL-DAYS VII. THE APPRENTICE VIII. ORION'S PAPER IX. THE OPEN ROAD page 1 / 339 X. A WIND OF CHANCE XI. THE LONG WAY To THE AMAZON XII. RENEWING AN OLD AMBITION XIII. LEARNING THE RIVER XIV. RIVER DAYS XV. THE WRECK OF THE "PENNSYLVANIA" XVI. THE PILOT XVII. THE END OF PILOTING XVIII. THE SOLDIER XIX. THE PIONEER XX. THE MINER XXI. THE TERRITORIAL ENTERPRISE XXII. "MARK TWAIN" XXIII. ARTEMUS WARD AND LITERARY SAN FRANCISCO XXIV. THE DISCOVERY OF "THE JUMPING FROG" XXV. HAWAII AND ANSON BURLINGAME XXVI. MARK TWAIN, LECTURER XXVII. AN INNOCENT ABROAD, AND HOME AGAIN XXVIII. OLIVIA LANGDON. WORK ON THE "INNOCENTS" XXIX. THE VISIT TO ELMIRA AND ITS CONSEQUENCES XXX. THE NEW BOOK AND A WEDDING XXXI. MARK TWAIN IN BUFFALO XXXII. AT WORK ON "ROUGHING IT" XXXIII. IN ENGLAND XXXIV. A NEW BOOK AND NEW ENGLISH TRIUMPHS XXXV. BEGINNING "TOM SAWYER" XXXVI. THE NEW HOME XXXVII. "OLD TIMES, "SKETCHES," AND "TOM SAWYER" page 2 / 339 XXXVIII. HOME PICTURES XXXIX. TRAMPING ABROAD XL. "THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER" XLI. GENERAL GRANT AT HARTFORD XLII. MANY INVESTMENTS XLIII. BACK TO THE RIVER, WITH BIXBY XLIV.
    [Show full text]
  • 1910-04-27 [P ]
    ^w^^appMBi P^T^^PP^^^^^^^^^^^^P^^^^^ and therein lies the soul of politeness. Often The Kidneys Are :^ - Those obsessed by the notion that it was impossible for Mark Twain, to Weakened by Over-Work. open his mouth without saying some­ thing funny should revise their im­ Unhealthy Kidneys Make Impure Blood. pressions of him. In the course of his Weak and unhealthy kidneys are re­ . nennmssen Comprehensive Estimate of Tribute Paid to the Ability, last visit to his boyhood home at Han­ *™m<3?$K* * sponsible for much sickness andsuffering, 'America's Late Literary Gen­ Kindly Philosophy, Droll Fun nibal in the summer of 1902 he said therefore, if kidney If solemn things in the most dignified trouble is permitted to ius, Whose Pen Swayed the and Pathos of the Nan Whose | continue, serious re­ manner possible. Several times he was sults are most likely Heart of the World. * 0 Optimism Cheered Millions. so deeply touched by the pathos of the : to follow. Your other occasion, his meeting with boyhood Insurance, Real Estate^?S^^^" l organs may need at­ friends then grown old like himself, tention, but your kid­ , By ROBERTUS LOVE. father be the author of "Tom Sawyer^., his visit to the graves of his parents, : neys most, because that his voice quavered and broke, and they do most and ARK TWAIN is dead! than all of his own works. '^C f~£>* "-?M\':' Xoans and Boiffidl" should have attention "The Innocents Abroad," of course, the inevitable tears trickled down his The king is dead—long live face. He was overcome with emotion, first.
    [Show full text]
  • TCM 2637 Book
    Table of Contents Introduction . 3 Sample Lesson Plans . 4 Pre-reading Activities. 5 About the Author . 6 Chronological List of Works by Mark Twain . 7 Book Summary . 8 Vocabulary Lists . 9 Vocabulary Activity Ideas . 10 Section I (Chapters 1–8) . 11 Quiz Time—Create an 1800s Town—Old-Fashioned Fashions—Southern Dialect—Map of Missouri—The Mississippi River Section II (Chapters 9–15). 17 Quiz Time—Real Women in Mark Twain’s Life—Home Remedies—Changing Roles for Men and Women Section III (Chapters 16–22) . 21 Quiz Time—Pirates—Use Your Senses Section IV (Chapters 23–30) . 25 Quiz Time—Staging the Scene—Creating a Courtroom—Historical Newspaper Section V (Chapters 31–36) . 29 Quiz Time—Cave Exploration—Money, Maps, and Measurements—Your Financial Future Post-reading Activities . 34 Any Questions?—Book Report Ideas—Research Ideas Culminating Activity . 37 Southern Day—Invitation—Southern Cooking—Southern Music Test Options . 42 Objective and Essay Test—Interpreting Quotations Answer Key . 45 #2637 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 2 © Teacher Created Resources, Inc. Vocabulary Activity Ideas After reading the vocabulary list, you know that Twain's language usage was colorful and will be, at times, an exciting challenge for students. Try some of the following ideas to introduce new vocabulary. 1. Play “Dictionary Race.” Write new words on word cards or cut poster board into appropriately sized cards. Give each student a dictionary. Hold up one word at a time for students and let them race to find it in the dictionary. The first student to find the word needs to correctly state the page number on which he or she found it in order to earn a point.
    [Show full text]
  • Twain Erratasheet Feb11 2015
    Mark Twain’s America Errata Sheet The Library of Congress has determined and regrets that our regular and rigorous review processes were not followed in the editing of the recent publication "Mark Twain's America." The following credits and corrections have resulted from an ongoing cover-to-cover examination of the book. Should other errors be identified, they will be added to this list. “A Personal Chronology,” Timeline, pages 6 – 15: The principal source for this information, used without attribution, is R. Kent Rasmussen, Mark Twain A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Life and Writings (New York: Facts on File, 1995) Page 15, column 1: The birth date of Nina Gabrilowitsch, Twain’s granddaughter should be August 18, 1910, not April 18. Chapter One – River of Dreams Page 17 (picture caption): “... Clemens first saw the capital, in the 1850s ...” Clemens’s first visit was in 1854; it was a short visit of about 4 days. Page 22 (col. 2, lines 8-11): These lines should read: “Sam’s mother, Jane Lampton Clemens, had two daughters, Pamela and Margaret, and four other sons, Orion, Pleasant, Benjamin, and Henry. Margaret died at age nine and Benjamin at age ten; Pleasant lived only three months.” Page 22 (picture caption): Hannibal Journal should be Hannibal Journal and Western Union Page 27 (line 24) Joseph Arment should be Joseph Ament Page 27 (lines 31-32): Hannibal Journal should be Hannibal Journal and Western Union Page 32 (col. 2, picture caption): Sam persuaded his brother to join him as a mud clerk (more accurate than a “lowly worker”) on the Pennsylvania 1 Page 35 (col.
    [Show full text]
  • The Death of Jean Mark Twain
    The Death Of Jean Mark Twain The death of Jean Clemens occurred early in the morning of December 24, 1909. Mr. Clemens was in great stress of mind when I first saw him, but a few hours later I found him writing steadily. "I am setting it down," he said, "everything. It is a relief to me to write it. It furnishes me an excuse for thinking." At intervals during that day and the next I looked in, and usually found him writing. Then on the evening of the 26th, when he knew that Jean had been laid to rest in Elmira, he came to my room with the manuscript in his hand. "I have finished it," he said; "read it. I can form no opinion of it myself. If you think it worthy, some day--at the proper time--it can end my autobiography. It is the final chapter." Four months later--almost to the day--(April 21st) he was with Jean. Albert Bigelow Paine. Stormfield, Christmas Eve, 11 A.M., 1909. JEAN IS DEAD! Has any one ever tried to put upon paper all the little happenings connected with a dear one--happenings of the twenty- four hours preceding the sudden and unexpected death of that dear one? Would a book contain them? Would two books contain them? I think not. They pour into the mind in a flood. They are little things that have been always happening every day, and were always so unimportant and easily forgettable before--but now! Now, how different! how precious they are, now dear, how unforgettable, how pathetic, how sacred, how clothed with dignity! Last night Jean, all flushed with splendid health, and I the same, from the wholesome effects of my Bermuda holiday, strolled hand in hand from the dinner-table and sat down in the library and chatted, and planned, and discussed, cheerily and happily (and how unsuspectingly!)--until nine--which is late for us--then went upstairs, Jean's friendly German dog following.
    [Show full text]
  • The Death of Jean Mark Twain
    The Death Of Jean Mark Twain The death of Jean Clemens occurred early in the morning of December 24, 1909. Mr. Clemens was in great stress of mind when I first saw him, but a few hours later I found him writing steadily. "I am setting it down," he said, "everything. It is a relief to me to write it. It furnishes me an excuse for thinking." At intervals during that day and the next I looked in, and usually found him writing. Then on the evening of the 26th, when he knew that Jean had been laid to rest in Elmira, he came to my room with the manuscript in his hand. "I have finished it," he said; "read it. I can form no opinion of it myself. If you think it worthy, some day--at the proper time--it can end my autobiography. It is the final chapter." Four months later--almost to the day--(April 21st) he was with Jean. Albert Bigelow Paine. Stormfield, Christmas Eve, 11 A.M., 1909. JEAN IS DEAD! Has any one ever tried to put upon paper all the little happenings connected with a dear one--happenings of the twenty- four hours preceding the sudden and unexpected death of that dear one? Would a book contain them? Would two books contain them? I think not. They pour into the mind in a flood. They are little things that have been always happening every day, and were always so unimportant and easily forgettable before--but now! Now, how different! how precious they are, now dear, how unforgettable, how pathetic, how sacred, how clothed with dignity! Last night Jean, all flushed with splendid health, and I the same, from the wholesome effects of my Bermuda holiday, strolled hand in hand from the dinner-table and sat down in the library and chatted, and planned, and discussed, cheerily and happily (and how unsuspectingly!)--until nine--which is late for us--then went upstairs, Jean's friendly German dog following.
    [Show full text]
  • The Boys' Life of Mark Twain
    The Boys' Life of Mark Twain By Albert Bigelow Paine The Boys' Life Of Mark Twain I. THE FAMILY OF JOHN CLEMENS A long time ago, back in the early years of another century, a family named Clemens moved from eastern Tennessee to eastern Missouri—from a small, unheard-of place called Pall Mall, on Wolf River, to an equally small and unknown place called Florida, on a tiny river named the Salt. That was a far journey, in those days, for railway trains in 1835 had not reached the South and West, and John Clemens and his family traveled in an old two-horse barouche, with two extra riding-horses, on one of which rode the eldest child, Orion Clemens, a boy of ten, and on the other Jennie, a slave girl. In the carriage with the parents were three other children—Pamela and Margaret, aged eight and five, and little Benjamin, three years old. The time was spring, the period of the Old South, and, while these youngsters did not realize that they were passing through a sort of Golden Age, they must have enjoyed the weeks of leisurely journeying toward what was then the Far West—the Promised Land. The Clemens fortunes had been poor in Tennessee. John Marshall Clemens, the father, was a lawyer, a man of education; but he was a dreamer, too, full of schemes that usually failed. Born in Virginia, he had grown up in Kentucky, and married there Jane Lampton, of Columbia, a descendant of the English Lamptons and the belle of her region.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark Twain in Elmira
    Mark Twain in Elmira SECOND EDITION 1 Mark Twain in his Study at Quarry Farm in Elmira, New York, 1880. Photo courtesy Mark Twain Archive, Elmira College, Elmira, NY. 2 Mark Twain in Elmira SECOND EDITION Robert D. Jerome and Herbert A. Wisbey, Jr. WITH REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS BY BARBARA E. SNEDECOR Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies Elmira College One Park Place, Elmira, New York 14901 2013 3 The Second Edition is made possible by generous support from The Friends of the Center The Hardinge Anderson Evans Foundation Lilly Broadcasting The Mark Twain Foundation Second Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies Elmira College Elmira, New York All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America by Cayuga Press of Cortland Cortland, New York ISBN 978-0-578-12626-5 4iv To all whose contributions have enriched the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies 5 6 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... ix Chapter One Mark Twain in Elmira ................................................1 Mark Twain’s Days in Elmira .................................. 2 Chapter Two The Langdon Family ................................................. 17 Elmira’s Langdon Family ....................................... 19 The Decline and Fall of the Langdon Home ........ 27 Chapter Three Quarry Farm ..............................................................35 From My Father, Mark Twain .................................39 My Uncle, Mark
    [Show full text]
  • The Letters of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885
    The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885 Mark Twain The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885, by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885 Author: Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) Release Date: September 18, 2004 [EBook #3195] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWAIN LETTERS, VOL. 3 *** Produced by David Widger MARK TWAIN'S LETTERS 1876-1885 ARRANGED WITH COMMENT BY ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE VOLUME III. XVI. LETTERS, 1876, CHIEFLY TO W. D. HOWELLS. LITERATURE AND POLITICS. PLANNING A PLAY WITH BRET HARTE The Monday Evening Club of Hartford was an association of most of the literary talent of that city, and it included a number of very distinguished members. The writers, the editors, the lawyers, and the ministers of the gospel who composed it were more often than not men of national or international distinction. There was but one paper at each meeting, and it was likely to be a paper that would later find its way into some magazine. Livros Grátis http://www.livrosgratis.com.br Milhares de livros grátis para download. Naturally Mark Twain was one of its favorite members, and his contributions never failed to arouse interest and discussion.
    [Show full text]