The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-27
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MARK TWAIN AS A REPORTER.
His Pen Name When He Began Newss
paper Work was Josh.


From the San Francisco Call.
Mr.. Clemens first pen name, when hs
commenced to write for Joe Goodman's
Territorial Enterprise, in Virginia CITY.
New, about 1863, as correspondent from
Esmeralda district, where he mined for a
living, was Josh" The fun and hurnor
that dubbed up in his letters tickled the
Washoeites and made the paper sought
after. They sent for him, and he came
gladly relinquishing the pick and shovel.
the windlass and the bucket, for the Jour-
nalists pen. Mr. Clemens came to Vir-
ginia City dressed in the usual garb of a
miner well worn at that, and demeaned
himself with all miners freedom. He
had, also, in greater degree than sup
sequently, the exceptional drawl in his
speech which he chose to consider one
factor in the sum of his distinctive indi-
viduality. He took readily TO reporting the
varying fortunes of the mining commun-
ity, and strengthened the writing force ON
the Enterprise materially while, at the
same time, aVailing himself Of legitimate
opportunities to acquire feet" in the
Comstock and shares in different outly-
Ing mines. He was accounted quite rich
In this kind of property at one time. With
liberal remuneration for his work, his per-
sonal appearance rapidly improved. and
ne grew TO be a swell in mild way be-
sides cleaner in speech as well as in dress.
Becoming dissatisfied with his pen name
Of Josh he changed 1t to Mark
twain" by which at the present day he
Is known IN the literature Of the world.
About 1854 Mr.. Clemens came to Sam
Francisco. 1t cannot be said he made
many friends In Nevada. There were
some who affected his company on ac-
count OF his writings but he had not the
FACULTY OF winning friendship. Before he
arrived in the city he had accumulated.as
before stated, good deal of money every
silver OF which he sank in Hale & Nor,
cross. Then he took up the burden OF lltA
erary life again. He wrote San Francisco
letters to his old paper. the Territorial En-
terprise, and for some real or fancled
cause attacked the local police so uersis-
tently and fierceiy that Martin G. J..
Bourke, who was chief of the force at the
time' brought suit for libel against the
paper. such envenomed communications
as Mr.. Clemens wrote on this subject have
rarely been penned They made the off,
cial equanimity of the old city hall boil
IKE a cauidron OF asphaltum, the fume and
stencil being In proportion. He also con-
tributed for Charley Webb (''Indlgo'D to
the Californian, for the Golden Era. and
did all sorts OF literary work whereby he
could turn cent It was terrible uphill
business, and less determined man than
himselt would have abandoned the strug-
gle ana remained at the base Mr. Cle-
ments was at Steamboat Springs, New.
Tor MS health when the letter was written
onering him place on the Call. He came
down shortly after, but, judging from his
appearance, fortune had been playing
seurvy tricks with him in the Interim
Without doing the gentleman any iniuE-
tice, II can be freely stated that, although
az the time good general writer and COR
respondent, he made but an Indifferent res
porter He only played at itemizing.
Considering his experience In the nouns
tains. he had an inexplicable aversion ID
walking, and In putting his matter on
paper he was, TO use his own expression.
slower than the wrath to come" Many
funny and characteristic Incidents oc,
CURED during his few months stay on the
Gail. He only wanted to remain long
enough. he said when he engaged to ga
10 work, to make "a stake" but on leav-
Ing his purse was no heavier than when ha
came. The most notable thing he Ola
that can now be recalled was a phillip
pic against some undertaking employees
where the morgue happened to be. for
the dead house In those days like the old
fashioned plan with tho country school
mistress and the villagers, was "boaried
round each undertaken accommodating
the coroner In turn. IL appears some one
about the place refused 20 give Mr., Clem-
ems information, or TO let him see "tha
slatcs ana next morning he got such N
DOSE commencing these body-snatchers,
that a general apology was Immediately
made by every man In the establishment
The proprietor was east nj the time, but
when he read the article he shivered, as
he confessed afterward. and considered
his business ruined. Mr.. Clemens parted
from the Call people on the most friendly
terms when Il was found necessary Ia
make the local department more efficient.
admitting his rcportorial shortcomings,
ana expressing surprise that thoy were
not sooner discovered.