Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-02-01
Mark Twain, Author and Eccentric Humorist, Made
a Tour of the Treasure State Half Century Ago

most noted authors and eccentric
humorists of that time. he then
being engaged In a lecture tour.
This was conducted under the d.
rectiOn Of Major Pond, who. in his
later publication of ''Eccentricitles
of Genius" gave a very interest
Ing account Of the hum0risf's
Montana jaunt In which was In
cOrpOrated many things which are
now more or less historical in
their application.
The narrative, which was gotten up
something on the order of diary
refers specifically to Great Falls,
Butte, Anaconda, Helena and Mis-
soula. It follows:
"Wednesday, July 81, 1895, Great
| Falls, Mont.-We arrived at the Park
! hotel here at 1880 a. m. after a good
nights sleep. Interest grows more and
more intense as we come nearer TO
| the Rocky mountains. 1t brings back
| fond memories of other days. The
| two brothers, Gibson, proprietors Of
the hotel, drove our party out to Giant
springs, three miles distant. It Is a
giant, too. never saw more beau
tiful or more wonderful spring. A big
river fairly boils up out Of the ground,
Of the most beautiful deep peacock
green color ever saw in clear water.
The largest copper ore smelters In the
world are here. The Great falls could
supply power enough for all the ma
chinery west Of Chicago, with some
to spare.
Mark is improving. For the first
time since we started he appeared
about the hotel corridors and on the
street. He and I walked about the
outskirts of the town and I caught a
number Of interesting snapshots
among the Norwegian shanties. got
a good group including four gener-
atoms, with eight children, calf and
five cats Mark wanted a photograph
of each cat. He caught pair Of kit
tens in his arms, greatly to the dis
comfort of their owner, a little girl.
He tried to make friends with the
child and the kittens, but she began
to cry and to beg that her pets might |
be liberated. He soon captured her
with a pretty story and she finally
consented to let them go. Few know |
Marks great love for cats as well as
for every living creature.
Thursday Aug. /, Great Falls to
Butte, Mont.-We started at 7:35 q. m. |
All seem tired. The light air and the
long drive yesterday told very much |
on us ALL Mark had an off night and |
was not at his best, which has almost
broken his heart. He couldn't get over
it all day. The Gibson brothers have
done much to make our visit delight
full and it has proved very enjoyable
indeed. OF course, being proprietors
of the hotel, they lose nothing, for
find they charge US SIS day each, and
the extortions from porters, baggage
men and bellboys surpasS anything
I know of. The smallest money here
is two-bits (25 cents) absurd.
snEl
the Rockies through the canyon of
mountains all day, and at Butte are
nearly 5000 feet high. 1t tells on me
but the others escape. The ladies de-
clare 1t has been one Of the most In
teresting days Of their lives, and Mark
has taken great interest in everything
but kept from talking. After reaching
the hotel he kept quiet in bed until
he went to the hall. He more than
made up for last nights disappoint-
ment and was at his best. escorted
Mrs. Clemens and Clara to box IN
mediately to the hotel, but found
myself listening and sat through the
lecture, enjoying every word Of 1t. 1t
actually seemed as If had never
known him to be quite so good. He
was great. The house was full and
very responsive.
after the lecture many of his for
mer Nevada friends came forward 10
greet him. We went to a fine club
where champagne and stories blended
until -, much to the delight Of many ]
gentlemen. Mark never drinks cham
payne. His Is hot Scotch, winter and
before IL p. m.
ana H..
went from Butte to Anaconda with /
nut the ladies. We left the hotel at !
I:30 by trolley car in order to have (
1lenty Of time to reach the train but /
We had gone only three blocks when :
he power gave out and we could not :
move It was u minutes to 5 and I
here was no carriage In sight. We Z
ried to get a grocery wagon but the
mean owner refused to take us the i
Iuarter-mile to the depot for less J
han $40. told him to go to -. I
md told its owner would pay any /
price to reach that train. Mark and
mounted the seat beside him. He j
aid the lash on that pair Of broncos !
and I think quicker time was never !
made to that depot. We reached the
rain Just as the conductor shouted I
all aboard and had signaled the en-
yineer. The train was moving as we
Jumped on. The driver charged me
iollar but I handed him two.
"At Anaconda we found very fine
MOTEL and several friends anxiously !
waiting to see Mark Elaborate ar I
had been made to lunch !
MIN and give him a lively day among /,
his old mountain friends as he had :
oeen expected by the morning train. {
he missed this demonstra-
ion and was in good condition for I
he evening. He was introduced by !
he mayor Of the city In a witty adj !
iress Of welcome. Here was our first :
sman audience, where the manager /
anne out 3 trifle the loser.
"a little incident connected with 9
,ur experience here shows Marx ]
rwain's generosity. The local man. 5
Iger was q man who had known /
Mark In the sixties and was very
anxious 70 secure him for lecture l
n Anaconda. he therefore contracted /
o pay the price asked Anaconda is :