In response to Roger W. Durrett:

Skimming through Doris E. Cook's _Sherlock Holmes & Much
More_ (Connecticut Historical Society, 1970), a Gillette
biography, Helen Hayes appears on pp. 73-76 (with photo of
Hayes and Gillette in "Dear Brutus"). There are various
references to Mark Twain in the book. The following is the
most relevant to the current discussion:

     According to the _Hartford Courant_ report of
     June 6 [1877], headed "Mr. Gillette's Enter-
     tainment," there had been a full house with
     many standees. For Gillette's first appearance
     in his native city, many had come out of curi-
     osity. The audience adjudged his performance
     a "marked success".... Equally successful was
     an imitation of Mark Twain in "The Jumping
     Frog," so well done that Mr. Clemens, who was
     in the audience, could have believed himself
     on stage. (15)

Interesting chap, that Gillette fellow... Adored cats... Had
a boat named _Aunt Polly_...

See y'all in Elmira!

Regards,

Mary