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Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]>
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John Bird <[log in to unmask]>
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Tue, 14 Sep 1999 09:49:11 -0000
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Peter, I have an article (that I can't seem to get published!) that goes
through the whole telephone issue, including the biographical details, but
also discusses his use of the telephone in fiction (which he was also the
first person to do), as well as his recognition of the changes the telephone
would make in society.  I have to get off to work right now, but will dig it
up later today and post an authoritative answer to your question.  But off
the top of my head:

If I remember rightly, he claimed to be the first private home with a
telephone; he was certainly among the first, since Hartford had one of the
first phone systems.  I believe the network consisted of a local doctor, a
drugstore, a livery stable (those three hooked up for medical reasons), and
the newspaper.  Thus the hookup to the Clemens household was more of a
novelty than anything else.  It would almost be like having the first police
scanner.

Will dig out the other details later today!

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