The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1910-05-06

but while the great AuinoiisI was
meeting with ~well-deserved success
from a literary standpoint. the imps
of misfortune seemed to dog his very
footsteps.
In 1884, he conceived the idea of
reaping the publishers as well as the
authors profits from some of his
works. Accordingly he organized a
stock company known as c. L. Web
ster G Co., in which he was the
largest stakeholder, to publish his
works. He had accumulated consider
able wealth and was rated as a mil
lionaire.
His financial ability. however, was
tire fortune was swept away by the
failure of the publishing house. Mr.,
Clemens was abroad at the time, and
although 60 years of age, he started
out on a tour Of the globe, delivering
lectures and writing articles in order
to pay the debts of the defunct firm.
He had scarcely begun his great
task when fate struck him another
hard blow. This was the death of his
eldest and most accomplished daugh.
ter, Miss Olivia S. Clemens, who died
in August, 1896. at the 6 Of "a. Bro.
ken in spirit, he continued his great
task and In two years he had paid off
his debts.
1t vas during this dark period that
the veteran humorist was reported
destitute and dying in London. A
public appeal was sent out through
a New York paper and $4,000 was
raised for him. But although pressed
for funds. he still retained his dig
nifty and refused to accept the money.
Wife Passes Away.
AS If in sympathy with her hus-
bands misfortunes. his wife's health
began to fail. He moved to Florence,
Italy. in the hope that the mild climate
would restore her, but it proved of no
avail, and on November 6. 1904, she
died in that far off land.
About this time the humorist met
H. H. Rogers, the Standard OIL mag.
nate, and the lei became fast friends.
Rogers gave his literary friend the aid
Of his financial experience, and Glen
n was soon in possession of a com
Portable income.
Although the future took on
brighter aspect, his evil spirit was
only %slumbering, and one day, without
asking the advice of his shrewd com
panion, Twain" was lured into anoth
er disastrous investment. He placed
s32,500 in the pleasure Company O.
America" a pure food organization
and was elected president. But thu
company went to the wall in 1907, ant
with it the $32. 500 disappeared.
And now misfortune selected an
other weapon with which to attack the
books had escaped harsh criticisms
but in November. 1907, tom Sawyer
and "Huckleberry Finn" his boy mas
terpieces, were withheld from youth!
by the Brooklyn Public libraries, a!
unfit for young minds" Comptroller
Joy Of Detroit, Mich, declared hi!
work, "A Double Barrelled Detective
Story" was literary junk, unfit for
public library" and a Ma%ssachusett:
public library refused to give shell
room to his Ewes Diary" declaring
that the book was "shocking."
Worn out by his lectures, after din
ner speeches and misfortunes, Twain
purchased a farm in Redding, Conn.
and erected a $4,000 villa. which ht
called "Stormfield." With his tive
daughters, Clara and Jean, he movet
there in 1908, and settled down to
life of ease.
But a series Of fresh misfortune
was in store for him. He had vigor
ously denounced the rule Of the lat
King Leopold II. in the Kongo Ere
State, and just when the reform move
ment was at it's height, his i'll healtl
compelled him to abandon his work.
The "Children's Theater," which
was founded by Mark Twain in Ney
York, and which represented n O
his lifelong ambitions, was forced t.
close through lack Of funds.
Then the humorist and his daughte
Clara became involved in a lawsui
over a farm which he had presente'
to his former secretary, Mrs. Ralpl
Ashcroft, on her wedding day, an
which he later attached on the advic
of his daughter.
The facts regarding this disagree
able affair were aired in the press
much to the humiliation of the veter
an humorist.
In the early part of 1908 his stauncl
friend and adviser, H. H. Rogers, die
suddenly at his New York home. Thi
great f1nancier and the white haire'
humorist had been inseparable CON