........ I've heard rumor that Twain may have
>ceased writing for some time after Sherburn shot.  Then later, he resumed
>writing with Sherburn's speech.......

******  I've just tapped into this thread, so this may have been long-since
mentioned.
        The Sherburn incident was based on an actual incident Twain
witnessed as a child.  Twain's father, a lawyer, defended Sherburn,
successfully, at the subsequent trial.


Dale Murphy                           \             / /