Fuller, Frank

The archive includes autograph letters and notes from Clemens to Fuller, autograph letters to Fuller from Clemens's close friend Joseph Twichell about Clemens, an autograph manuscript and an autograph draft letter  by Fuller to the editor of the New York Times containing his remniscences of Clemens. Varying conditions. Housed in a green cloth ring binder and linen chemise.



Samuel L. Clemens. Holograph draft of a telegram to Fuller, Hartford, 30 October 1880, refusing to attend a political rally as his presence would likely injure the cause; asks Fuller to get a man with a credible religious background. — Autograph fragment signed "Mark," n.p., n.d., "If a man were to signify however which he was not & could not if he had the power, which being denied him he will endeavor anyhow, merely because he don't, would you? I think not." — Autograph fragment written in purple ink on an envelope addressed to Fuller, postmarked Buffalo, 21 May [1871]: "Send me a copy of that thief advertisement, Frank, so that I shall have documentary evidence against him." — Autograph envelope, postmarked Hartford, 24 November, n.y. [?174], addressed to Gov. Fuller, Windsor Hotel, New York and annotated "Dern that address—I forgot it again. Mark." — Autograph letter signed ("Mark"), 2 pages together with autograph envelope, Hartford, 5 December n.y. asks or help in repairing a music box from Geneva, mentions he pulled out of a business venture with publisher and former Quaker City roommate Dan Slote. — Autograph note in pencil signed ("Mark") on an engraved calling card, Hartford, n.d.:  "I can't next time, because of appointments—but next after that I will."



Frank Fuller. Autograph manuscript [?ca. 1911], 7 pages, being an account of Fuller's first encounter with Clemens, ca. 1863 and their mining experiences together. — Autograph draft letter to the editor of the New York Times, [after 1 October 1911], regarding his role in Clemens's Cooper Union lecture about his adventures in the Sandwich Islands, 6 May 1867, that brought him overnight fame and celebrity status.  



Joseph H. Twichell. Autograph letter signed ("Joseph H. Twichell"), Hartford, 17 October 1911, to Fuller, 4 pages, regarding Clemens's courtship of Livy and his ultimate success in winning over his future father-in-law to his side. — Autograph letter signed ("Joseph H. Twichell"), Hartford, 20 October 1911, to Fuller, 2 pages, offering to send Fuller a copy of the May 1896 issue of  Harper's Magazine containing his reminiscences about Clemens. — Autograph letter signed ("Joseph H. Twichell"), Hartford, 20 October 1911, to Fuller, 2 pages, will be mailing the Harper's Magazine article. — Autograph letter signed ("Joseph H. Twichell"), Hartford, 4 November 1911, 5 pages, regarding Clemens's birthday, date of marriage and the ministers who officiated (the Langdon's pastor and himself), — Autograph letter signed ("J. H. Twichell"), Hartford, 7 December 1911, thanks Fuller for some relics he received, recalls Clemens shedding tears when a Bishop mentioned his lifelong devotion to the memory of his mother, knows nothing of the Sutro Tunnel question.

When Clemens arrived in 1867, Fuller acted as his impresario and arranged for several public lectures on Hawaii. Fuller "papered" the house for the Cooper Union lecture, drawing a standing-room only crowd and engineering a public triumph for Clemens. The two men saw each other occasionally, dabbled in a few investments, and corresponded at least through 1906. After Clemens died, Fuller provided information to Clemens's biographer, A. B. Paine.

Joseph Hopkins Twichell was the pastor of the Hartford Congregationalists.  Upon introduction to Twichell in early 1868, Clemens had dubbed Twichell's congregation the "Church of the Holy Speculators," causing Twichell to bristle a bit. But it was their shared sense of humor, however broad and colorful, that brought these two men together.  Twichell travelled to Bermuda in 1877 with Clemens and then hiking through Germany and Switzerland in 1878, and figures as the character "Harris" in A Tramp Abroad. He officiated at Clemens's wedding as well as that of his daughter Clara, was at Susy's bedside when she died, and conducted the funerals of Susy, Livy, Jean, and Clemens himself.