In the new Autobiography, there's a photo of MT sitting in the back  
of Henry Roger's car with his driver Ernest Keebler. Perhaps that's  
the race car driver.)




On Oct 24, 2010, at 7:38 PM, Jeff Smith wrote:

On Sun, Oct 24, 2010 at 9:43 PM, Kevin Mac Donnell <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> He rode in an Oldsmobile driven by a race-car driver (who was killed a
> short
> time later in an auto accident). That image was reproduced as a  
> postcard
> advertising Olds Motor Works. That image should be online. I can  
> give you
> the details on the driver if you like.
>
> While running errands with Henry Rogers, he was left sitting in  
> Rogers'
> parked electric car when it slipped into gear and slowly began  
> coasting
> down
> a street in Fairhaven. Rather than trying to guide or stop the car,  
> Twain
> simply hopped out, and the car ran aground on a curb or sidewalk  
> with no
> harm done to man or machine.
>
> I've seen two photos where he was sitting in a car (besides the one  
> with
> him
> in the Olds), and of course there are a couple of photos of him  
> admiring a
> huge touring car parked in front of Stormfield the day of Clara's  
> wedding.
>
> I also seem to recall him writing an angry "letter to the editor" in
> Harper's Magazine (or a newspaper) complaining about dangerous  
> drivers, ca.
> 1905. I think he also campaigned against cars being allowed in  
> Bermuda.
>


>
> He might have felt differently if he'd ever climbed a hill with me  
> in my 20
> year old Miata with after-market supercharger. On the other hand,  
> maybe
> that
> would have just confirmed his worst fears.
>

Either way it's fun to picture.


>
> Kevin
> @
> Mac Donnell Rare Books
> 9307 Glenlake Drive
> Austin TX 78730
> 512-345-4139
> Member: ABAA, ILAB
> *************************
> You may browse our books at
> www.macdonnellrarebooks.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ben Wise" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, October 24, 2010 7:50 PM
> Subject: Did Twain ever mention the automobile?
>
>
>> Or ride in one?  Just wondering if he saw it coming, so to speak.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
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>



-- 
"It is one of the great mysteries of our nature, that a man, all  
unprepared,
can receive a thunder-stroke like that and live. There is but one  
reasonable
explanation of it. The intellect is stunned by the shock and but  
gropingly
gathers the meaning of the words. The power to realize their full  
import is
mercifully lacking."
- Mark Twain, writing on the anniversary of receiving news of his  
daughter
Susy's death at age 24.
http://whit-superfriends.blogspot.com