See *Mark Twain's Letters,* Volume 2, 76-77 and Volume 3, 32-37, for Lillie Hitchcock. For the possible connection to Hellfire, see *Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer among the Indians* (Mark Twain Library), pp. 288-89, note to 129.10-16. Bob Hirst [log in to unmask] On Tue, 2 Apr 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote: > How much is known about the relationship between Sam Clemens and Lillie > Hitchcock from his days as a reporter in San Francisco. I can find one > reference to her in his letters. However, Hitchcock's personal biography > appears strikingly similar to Twain's Hellfire Hotchkiss character -- > particularly the fire department involvement. Any theories as to whether > Hellfire Hotchkiss was based on Lillie Hitchcock? > > Barb >