June 13 Monday – Sam’s piece, titled “Parting Presentation,” about the presentation of a cane to Major Edward C. Perry, ran on the front page of the Alta California. This was Sam’s first signed publication following his move from Nevada [ET&S 2: 5]. Emerson observes the speech “was intended to be amusing; ‘Mark Twain’ was clearly a humorist” [24].
June 12 Sunday – Sam gave a presentation speech at Maguire’s Opera House in San Francisco to Major Edward C. Perry, who had raised the Aquila, sunk at a city pier [Fatout, MT Speaking 1-3]. A local item in the Call, “Beasts in the Semblance of Men” is attributed to Sam [Branch, C of Call 289].
June 7 Tuesday – A local item in the Call, “Burglar Arrested” is attributed to Sam [Branch, C of Call 289].
June, Mid – Sam wrote his Territorial Enterprise readers that the Occidental was “ ‘Heaven on the half shell’ – a welcome respite from the sagebrush and desolation of Washoe” [MTL 1: 302].
May 28 Saturday – Sam wrote William K. Cutler in receipt of his challenge to a duel. “Having made my arrangements—before I received your note—to leave for California, & having no time to fool away on a common bummer like you, I want an immediate reply to this” [MTL 1: 301]. Note: Cutler had come up from Carson City and Steve Gillis placated him and convinced him to leave town. In some accounts it has been erroneously given that Sam Clemens ran from a duel, the reason for his leaving Virginia City. Examination of these letters and news accounts prove otherwise.
May 26 Thursday – Sam wrote Orion asking for $200:
May 25 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Virginia City to Orion and Mollie. Orion had been appointed president of the Ormsby County sanitary committee, and Sam wrote, “I am mighty sick of that fund…” Sam expressed a desire for the whole controversy to go away [MTL 1: 298].
May 24 Tuesday – Sam printed under the title “Miscegenation,” an article in the Enterprise explained the hoax with an apology to the ladies of Carson City. Sam also printed all of his letters in the scrape with the Union, plus those of Laird, Wilmington, and Gillis in the Enterprise, numbering them I through VII (See Smith 191-6 for text). He then called Laird a coward, liar and a fool.
May 23 Monday – Sam wrote Ellen G. Cutler (Mrs. William K. Cutler), president of the Carson City Sanitary Ball committee his apologies for the unintended printing of the “joke.” Sam wrote, “I address a lady, in every sense of the term” [MTL 1: 296]. James L. Laird of the Virginia Daily Union wrote again answering Sam [MTL 1: 295].
May 22 Sunday – Sam’s article “Washoe” was published in the Golden Era [Walker 54].