The Birth of Mark Twain
Carson City's first newspaper was the Territorial Enterprise, which had been started in 1858 in Genoa, then moved to Carson City a year later. In 1860, it moved to Virginia City, where it gained its greatest fame. So why is the Territorial Enterprise important? It's the birthplace of Mark Twain!
Samuel Clemens arrived in Carson City by stagecoach in July of 1861, accompanying his lawyer brother Orion who had just been appointed the Nevada Territorial Secretary by President Abraham Lincoln. Orion asked Samuel to serve as his secretary.
Though Carson City declares Mark Twain was born there, since the newpaper moved to Virginia City in 1860 and he began writing for it in 1863, Mark Twain was literally born in Virginia City.
Twain began his literary career writing letters to the editor of the Territorial Enterprise. On January 31, 1863, published in the February 3rd edition. He gave a comedic account of a raucous 48-hour party given by former CA Gov. J. Neely Johnson, while probably under the influence of said party. humorously detailed the 48-hour party he attended at the home of former California Governor J. Neely Johnson. He signed his missive "Yours Dreamily, Mark Twain". His new pen name had been born.
Writing for the Territorial Enterprise brought Samuel fame. He covered the Nevada Constitutional Convention in Carson City in 1863 and was one of the “eccentric group of journalists, lawyers, bohemians and businessmen who mocked the legislative process.” The group was described as “bawdy, raucous, and satirical.”
As a joke, he was elected honorary President of the Convention and tried to use his influence to move the capitol to Virginia City where he now lived. He did not succeed.
Samuel created havoc in Carson City, embarrassing his brother and wife. One of the residents even challenged him to a duel over his writings.
Now better known as Mark Twain, he quit the Territorial Enterprise and on Sunday May 29, 1864, he and a friend climbed into a stagecoach to travel to San Francisco where he embarked on his international journeys and speaking tours.
He flourished as an author and lecturer returning to Carson City and Virginia City in October of 1866 and again in April 1868 where he was once again welcomed, and his discretions forgiven. He was, after all, now famous.
During his adventures in Carson City, Virginia City, and most of Northern Nevada, Twain learned many lessons that launched his career serving him well. It was here he became a “journalist,” critic, entertainer, lecturer, and writer.
Mark Twain died in Redding, Connecticut on April 21, 1910. As he wrote the year prior to his death, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. The Almighty said, no doubt: “Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.”
Halley’s Comet was seen the next day.
Samuel Clemens arrived in Carson City by stagecoach in July of 1861, accompanying his lawyer brother Orion who had just been appointed the Nevada Territorial Secretary by President Abraham Lincoln. Orion asked Samuel to serve as his secretary.
Though Carson City declares Mark Twain was born there, since the newpaper moved to Virginia City in 1860 and he began writing for it in 1863, Mark Twain was literally born in Virginia City.
Twain began his literary career writing letters to the editor of the Territorial Enterprise. On January 31, 1863, published in the February 3rd edition. He gave a comedic account of a raucous 48-hour party given by former CA Gov. J. Neely Johnson, while probably under the influence of said party. humorously detailed the 48-hour party he attended at the home of former California Governor J. Neely Johnson. He signed his missive "Yours Dreamily, Mark Twain". His new pen name had been born.
Writing for the Territorial Enterprise brought Samuel fame. He covered the Nevada Constitutional Convention in Carson City in 1863 and was one of the “eccentric group of journalists, lawyers, bohemians and businessmen who mocked the legislative process.” The group was described as “bawdy, raucous, and satirical.”
As a joke, he was elected honorary President of the Convention and tried to use his influence to move the capitol to Virginia City where he now lived. He did not succeed.
Samuel created havoc in Carson City, embarrassing his brother and wife. One of the residents even challenged him to a duel over his writings.
Now better known as Mark Twain, he quit the Territorial Enterprise and on Sunday May 29, 1864, he and a friend climbed into a stagecoach to travel to San Francisco where he embarked on his international journeys and speaking tours.
He flourished as an author and lecturer returning to Carson City and Virginia City in October of 1866 and again in April 1868 where he was once again welcomed, and his discretions forgiven. He was, after all, now famous.
During his adventures in Carson City, Virginia City, and most of Northern Nevada, Twain learned many lessons that launched his career serving him well. It was here he became a “journalist,” critic, entertainer, lecturer, and writer.
Mark Twain died in Redding, Connecticut on April 21, 1910. As he wrote the year prior to his death, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it. It will be the greatest disappointment of my life if I don’t go out with Halley’s Comet. The Almighty said, no doubt: “Now here are these two unaccountable freaks; they came in together, they must go out together.”
Halley’s Comet was seen the next day.