August 17, 1895 Saturday

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August 17 Saturday – In Vancouver, Canada, J.B. Pond wrote in his diary:

Saturday, August 17th, Vancouver.

We are all waiting for the news as to when the Warrimoo will be off the dry dock and ready to sail. “Mark” is getting better. I have booked Victoria for Tuesday, the 20th.

“Mark” has lain in bed all day, as usual, spending much time writing. Reporters have been anxious to meet and interview him, and I urged it, He finally said: “If they’ll excuse my bed, show them up.”

August 15, 1895 Thursday

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August 15 Thursday – The Clemens party of five traveled to, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and took rooms at the Hotel Vancouver. They learned that their ship, the Warrimoo, which was to have sailed Aug. 16, had been delayed by running aground on Aug. 9. Sam faced a week with no engagements after this of Aug. 15 in the Vancouver Opera House. Pond thus scheduled an extra lecture in Victoria, B.C. From Pond’s diary:

August 14, 1895 Wednesday

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August 14 Wednesday – In New Whatcom, Wash., Sam’s notebook:

Aug. 14. Left the ladies there with Sam. Moffett, & Pond & I came on to / New Whatcom. Such a fearful hoarseness I could scarcely talk. We stopped at a fine hotel in Fairhaven, & went over in the trolley. Reception — the line stood, I moved along it.

August 12, 1895 Monday

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August 12 Monday – The Clemens party moved from Olympia to nearby Tacoma, Wash., and took rooms at the Tacoma Hotel. J.B. Pond’s diary for this date:

I had trouble in settling at the Opera House; the manager is a scamp. I expected trouble, and I had it.

August 11, 1895 Sunday

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August 11 Sunday – In Tacoma, Washington, another rest day for the Clemens party. These were on Sundays or strategically placed to give Livy time to recover from traveling. Whenever it was possible, Sam and J.B. Pond would travel fairly short distances without the ladies for a lecture in another town. This allowed the ladies to limit their travel fatigue.

August 10, 1895 Saturday

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August 10 Saturday – In the morning Sam and J.B. Pond left Portland to rejoin the ladies at the Olympia Hotel in Olympia, Wash. 

The Sunday Oregonian of Aug. 11 reported on Sam’s leaving — he’d made quite a hit in the city:

MARK TWAIN TALKS

THE FAMOUS STORY-TELLER DISCUSSES CHARACTERS.

Says That No Author Creates, but Merely Copies

How to Write a Guide Book.

August 8, 1895 Thursday

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August 8 Thursday – In Spokane, Wash., this was a rest and travel day late for the Clemens party — they would leave at midnight for Tacoma. From J.B. Ponds diary:

We spent all day, August 8th, in Spokane. The hotel was full. The new receiver and his gay party are also spending the day here, but all leave just before the time set for the lecture.