July 29 Monday – From J.B. Pond’s diary:
We have been in Crookston, Minn., all day, where we were the first and especially favored guests of this fine new hotel. “Mark Twain’s” name was the first on the register. We are enjoying it. “Mark” is as gay as a lark, but he remained in bed until time to go to the Opera House. This city is wonderfully improved since I was here in 1883 with Mr. Beecher, in 1885 with Clara Louise Kellogg, and in 1887 with Charles Dickens, Jr. The opening of this hotel is a great event. People are filling up the town from all directions to see and hear “Mark,” and taking advantage of the occasion to see the first new hotel (The Crookston) in their city with hot and cold water, electric lights and all modern improvements [Eccentricities of Genius 207-8].
Before his lecture Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, responding to his July 25 letter:
We got your good letter, here, last night and it was very very welcome. I judged we’d have to pay that $700 [for the attorneys] — whereas a brass farthing would have overpaid those people. They ought to have collected that money from Russell; by their ignorance and idiocy they played into his hands from the very day, months and months ago that he brought suit, plumb down to the hour that he got his money. …they were mere children in Wilder’s hands [Thomas Russell’s attorney]. …
I have written Colby to compromise with the creditors at $15,000, but if he is in the way, bundle him out of the way; for whatever he touches he will botch. I stand ready to pay the creditors in full when I can — but I can’t say when it will be.
I’m stealing a moment to scribble this line. I have to steal my odd moments, for I am at work all the time on my lectures, on board the trains and everywhere. I’ve got No. 1 where I am no longer afraid of it or in doubt about it; and now for the past few days I am at work on No. 2. I tried it in Winnipeg Saturday night and found it was 35 minutes too long [MTHHR 176-7].
At the Opera House in Crookston Sam plugged in a new reading from “Adam’s Diary,” which the Aug. 1 Polk County Journal labeled “the drollest of all his writings. This kept the audience in a constant uproar…and put them in excellent humor for ‘The Golden Arm,’ which wound up the entertainment at 10:30” [Fatout, Lecture Circuit 246]. Note: Fatout also points out that the Adam’s diary story was rarely used after this, so it “apparently did not please him.” Or, Livy.
The Crookston Daily Times of July 30 reported on the lecture:
A CROWD
Heard America’s Prince of Humorists and Entertains Last Night.
The opera house, last night, held one of the largest and most appreciative audiences in its history, the occasion being the appearance of the greatest of American humorists, Mark Twain. Mr. Clemens spoke for fully an hour and a half, and the close attention he received must have been very gratifying. Of course there were a few who had gone with the idea of hearing something on the negro minstrel order and these were disappointed. Mr. Clemens’ selections were all taken from his books and while humorous, each contained some deep thoughts, which hidden perhaps at first reveal themselves in later examination, and furnished food for thought.
The sketches from Adam’s Diary, which Mr. Clemens presented for the first time last evening, showed probably more originality than any of the other selections, while his “Watermelon” story was probably the most humorous, and the “Ghost Story” brought out his wonderful ability as a story teller, to the best advantage.
On the whole the entertainment was very enjoyable, and no one who is at all acquainted with Mr. Clemens’ works will regret having heard him.