December 1865–January 1866 – Sometime this month, or at least before Jan. 20, 1866, Sam recalled years later:
“I put the pistol to my head but wasn’t man enough to pull the trigger. Many times I have been sorry I did not succeed, but I was never ashamed of having tried” [MTL 1: 325].
Fanning claims this act was a “direct result, evidently, of something his elder brother [Orion] had done [p. xv]. There is nothing “evident” however, about Orion’s influence creating suicidal thoughts in Sam, rather those of the murderous variety.
Portion of San Francisco Letter: Those Oysters.
“Mark Twain” in his Virginia correspondence, abuses McDonald’s “scoofy oysters.” “Mark” says they are “poisonous,” and that “they produce diarrhea and vomiting.” McDonald’s explanation of this is, that “Mark,” with six Washoe friends, made a descent upon his (McDonald’s) saloon, the other day, and after eating fourteen dozen of the “scoofy oysters,” disputed the bill. McDonald insisted on payment at the regular rates. “Mark” stated that he and his sage brush friends were members of the press. Mac refused to make an deduction, and “Mark” paid the bill, swearing that he would get even. Hence the fearful letter to the Enterprise about the “poisoned oysters.”

A reference to this letter appeared in the San Francisco Dramatic Chronicle, January 29, 1866; Reprinted, Mark Twain Journal, Spring, 1988, p. 23.