If it's true that scholars aren't interested in this period, it's
either a shame or a fine opportunity for a future scholar. As a former
westerner, I took advantage of visiting many of the Twain related places
in Nevada and California. This was always of interest to me because he
went west as an unemployed riverboat pilot/political hanger-on and left
as Mark Twain. Anyone interested in this time should find a book that
was compiled about 30 years ago called "Clemens of the Call," which
collected some of his newspaper reporting in San Francisco. Some of the
writing is still absolutely on target - particularly the court
reporting.

Terry Ballard