The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-08-30

necessary by Orion's absentminded-
ness
His law sign disappeared from the
street about the time Orion became
more engaged with Mark Twain I'M
his work. The elder brother, 1t isl
said gave much assistance % the
great humorist. He read and revised
his proofs, and probably some of his
manuscripts, which were sent toI
Keokuk for correction and then re-
turned to the author. While Orion
had fine sense of humor, a touch
of philosophy and sympathy for the
droll and ludicrous, he never made
attempt to father anything striking
as writer of literature. Probably
some of his best pennings may have
crept into the pages of his brother
Marks most popular works, but Mark
got the credit. Orion was better edu-
Gated and rather more refined in his
tastes and conceptions than Mark.
with not half the push, acquisitive-
ness and tact. Occasionally he would
break out in the local press in the
discussion of some question in which
his quaint philosophy and droll say
ings and idiosyncrasies would crop
out, but his principal work latterly
appeared to be for his more success
full younger brother.
Suddenly Orion and his wife, and
the mother of himself and Mark
Twain, were comfortably and happily
ensconced in pretty and comfortable
two-story brick residence on Seventh
and High streets, all his own, in eyi-
dence OF his successful work with
Mark Twain. While Orion was well
known and comparatively Intimate
with the people of Keokuk, he was
not a general mixer with the popu-
lace, though, as the saying goes, las
plain as an old shoe" After his law
yer's sign disappeared his workshop
was at home, both for his literary and
legal labor. In his appearance down
town he was particularly genial with
his acquaintance and always In
good humor, not of the boisterous
kind but Of that half-reserved, half
open cordially which characterized
him on all occasions. His life went
out as he had lived, quietly. In APP
parent good health, in the room where
his work was lying about him on his
writing table, death touched him with
out warning and he passed away in
a sudden stroke, and Keokuk mourn
ed at the startling announcement. He
was friend to Keokuk's civic i'm
provement and an advocate of city
beautiful as his life had been soul
beautiful.
To him in q full measure is due
the chance the world had of applaud
ing the genius of Mark Twain, and
1t might be well to throw in by way
Of parenthesis brief summary of his
career
Orion Clemens was born at Gains
borough, Tenn, in 1929; was editor OF
the Union at Hannibal, Mo-, from
1850 to 1858; was editor Of the Mus
catine, Iowa. Journal In 1853 and
1854. He ran job printing office II
Keokuk, Iowa, in which Mark Twain
was employed, the old building still
standing here on Main street, and is
sued the first city directory of Keo
kuk. Mark Twain assisted him In the
issuing of this volume. In 1861, hs
was appointed secretary Of Nevada
territory, which position he occupied
until 1864. Immediately after Ne
yada became state he was elected
representative to the lower house
serving one term. In 1856 he went Il
st. Louis, Mo, and became connected
with the st. Louis Democrat. In 1871
he went to Hartford, Conn, and be
came editor of literary weekly pa
per, and afterwards of political pa
per in 1873; edited a republican pa
per at Rutland, Vermont; came baci
to Keokuk in 1874 and opened an OF
| flee as an attorney at law. Before go
! ing west Mr. Clemens married Mist
Mary Stotts, an estimable lady of {