Allie,

You might take a look at Twain's years in Nevada.  He was a reporter at
a newspaper called the "Territorial Enterprise."  A scholar by the name
of Lawrence Berkove has written a number of articles on the way that
Twain's colleagues at the "Territorial Enterprise" shaped him as a
writer, humorist, and social critic.  In particular, Berkove's essay
"Ethical Records of Twain and His Circle of Sagebrush Journalists" is
outstanding.  It was published as a Quarry Farm Paper.  If your library
doesn't have a copy, call Barb Snedecor at The Center for Mark Twain
Studies at Quarry Farm on the campus of Elmira College--she'll be able
to get you a copy.

Good luck.

Best,
Joe Csicsila