Robin Field

Mark Twain of the Enterprise

After brief careers as a printer, a steamboat pilot, a Confederate soldier, and a failed silver miner, Mark Twain began writing for local Nevada newspapers and was soon offered a steady job as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise (1862–64). His sense of humor made him very popular at first, but it later got him in trouble with rival journalists and editors. He apparently left Nevada for San Francisco in 1864 in order to avoid a duel he had stirred up.

Disc 1: The Office of Reporter

  1. Nevada Supreme Court • Legislature 18:19

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  2. Our Stock Remarks, Blown Down, At Home, Thrilling Romance, More Ghosts, New Year’s Day, Sanitary Ball • First Letter Signed “Mark Twain” 22:31

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  3. First Letter Signed “Mark Twain” (Concluded) 19:52

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  4. Wedding 13:51

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Disc 2

  1. The Unreliable • Steamboat Springs 18:58

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  2. Steamboat Springs (Concluded) 15:25

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  3. Over the Mountains, Mr. Billet, The Mencken 14:36

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  4. First Annual Fair of Washoe 14:52

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  5. Nevada Constitution 9:30

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Disc 3

  1. Another Bloody Massacre • Questions of Privilege, Mr. Sterns’ Speech 14:55

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  2. Logan Hotel, No More Mines, State Printer, School Fund, Hank Monk, Old Pah-Utah, Carson City, Final Report 12:24

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  3. Nevada State Constitutional Convention, Third House 21:39

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  4. Christmas Presents 4:33

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  5. The Bolters in Convention 14:08

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Disc 4

  1. A Gorgeous Swindle • Doings in Nevada 22:42

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  2. Politics, Artemus Ward • Legislative Proceedings • Legislative Proceedings 18:13

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  3. Miss Clapp’s School 13:12

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  4. Legislative Proceedings 16:05

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  5. Legislative Proceedings 3:00

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Disc 5

  1. Winters’ New House, An Excellent School, Concerning Undertakers 14:21

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  2. Legislative Proceedings 16:14

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  3. Carson Undertaker Continued • Removal of the Capital 19:59

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  4. Legislative Proceedings 23:45

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Disc 6: The Affair Was a Silly Joke

  1. Legislative Proceedings (Concluded) • The Road from Virginia to Carson 15:51

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  2. History of the Gold and Silver Bars, How They Do Things in Washoe • Letter to Mrs. Orion Clemens 14:22

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  3. Personal Correspondence • Miscegenation • Two Editorials in Gold Hill Evening News • Enterprise Libels of the Ladies 23:08

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  4. Letters to Orion Clemens • Draft of a Letter to W. K. Cutler • Editorial in Gold Hill Evening News 9:01

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Copyright © Robin Field