Artifact Presentation to Highlight Mark Twain Birthday Celebration This year's community Mark Twain Birthday Celebration will be held on Saturday, December 2nd from 1 - 5p.m. Events throughout the day promise a fun afternoon for the whole family. A special highlight of the day will be the presentation of a very important piece of history to the museum. At 2:30 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Salter, of Hannibal, will present the museum with a law ledger owned by Mark Twain's father, John Marshall Clemens. Very little is known about John M. Clemens. For many years he has been an elusive figure. According to his son he was a well-respected man in Hannibal, a stern father, and failed business man. But Sam Clemens never described his father in any detail and what little we know is gleaned from Twain's works and contemporary accounts. There are also very few physical artifacts that can offer some clue to understanding Twain's father. No photographs of him are known to exist. Now, thanks to Frank Salter, the museum and scholars around the world have a newly uncovered source to help us fill in the sketchy outline of this man. Salter unknowingly purchased the ledger at a public city auction. After buying a box of old law books, he discovered the ledger had been buried in the box as well. Fortunately, he knew the value of the book and saved it from being lost to history. The Salter family is now going to present the book to the museum for preservation and display purposes. The book has already been cited in academic books and is a unique glimpse into Hannibal's past. The book records cases the Judge Clemens heard, as well as his rulings. Some of the entries are even in Clemens' own hand. This is an exciting addition to the museum, and we hope you can join us for this special presentation at 2:30 on Saturday, December 2nd in the Museum Gallery Auditorium. Regina Faden, Ph.D. Executive Director Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum 120 North Main Street Hannibal, MO 63401 p. 573 221-9010 f. 573 221-7975 [log in to unmask]