This schedule, spanning volumes 2–4 of Mark Twain’s Letters, lists Mark Twain’s known lecture appearances during two tours: 17 November 1868–20 March 1869 and 1 November 1869–21 January 1870. The first was managed in the Midwest by G. L. Torbert, of Dubuque, Iowa, secretary of the Associated Western Literary Societies, and in the East by Clemens himself, with partial assistance from James K. Medbery’s American Literary Bureau in New York ( L2 , 241 n. 3, 254–55 n. 2). The second, an exclusively eastern tour, was managed by James Redpath and George L. Fall of the Boston Lyceum Bureau. The primary sources consulted in recreating Clemens’s itineraries were his surviving letters, Fall’s letters of 27 October and 7 December 1869 to him (Redpath Letterpress Book, 26, 632, IaU), and Fall’s 29 November 1869 “Memo of Engagements” (enclosed in 29 Nov 69 to OLL). In some instances, these documents have provided the only evidence of the date and place of a lecture. In most cases, however, information in them has been confirmed by announcements, reviews, or reports in local newspapers (unless otherwise indicated, a cited newspaper was published in the town or city where Clemens lectured).
1868–1869 Tour
| date | place | source |
| 17 Nov 68 | Cleveland, Ohio | Herald, Leader, and Plain Dealer (18 Nov 68) |
| 19 Nov 68 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Gazette (20 Nov 68) |
| 23 Nov 68 | Elmira, N.Y. | Advertiser (24 Nov 68) |
| 2 Dec 68 | Rondout, N.Y. | 2 Dec 68 to Langdon ( L2 , 298) |
| 9 Dec 68 | Newark, N.J. | Advertiser (10 Dec 68) |
| 11 Dec 68 | Norwich, N.Y. | 5 and 7 Dec 68 to OLL ( L2 , 315) |
| 16 Dec 68 | Scranton, Pa. | 5 and 7 Dec 68 to OLL ( L2 , 315) |
| 19 Dec 68 | Fort Plain, N.Y. | Mohawk Valley Register (25 Dec 68) |
| 22 Dec 68 | Detroit, Mich. | Advertiser and Tribune and Free Press (23 Dec 68) |
| 23 Dec 68 | Lansing, Mich. | State Republican (31 Dec 68) |
| 25 Dec 68 | Charlotte, Mich. | Republican (30 Dec 68) |
| 26 Dec 68 | Tecumseh, Mich. | 14 Jan 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 30 Dec 68 | Akron, Ohio | 29 Dec 68 to Langdon ( L2 , 360); Cleveland Leader (1 Jan 69)1explanatory note |
| 2 Jan 69 | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Democrat and Gazette (4 Jan 69) |
| 4 Jan 69 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Journal (5 Jan 69) |
| 6 Jan 69 | Rockford, Ill. | Galena (Ill.) Gazette (26 Jan 69), reprinting Rockford Register (9 Jan 69) |
| 7 Jan 69 | Chicago, Ill. | Tribune, Times, Republican, and others (8 Jan 69) |
| 8 Jan 69 | Monmouth, Ill. | Atlas and Review (8 Jan 69)2explanatory note |
| 9 Jan 69 | Galesburg, Ill. | Peoria (Ill.) Transcript (11 Jan 69) |
| 11 Jan 69 | Peoria, Ill. | Transcript and National Democrat (12 Jan 69) |
| 12 Jan 693explanatory note | Decatur, Ill. | Republican (14 Jan 69) |
| 13 Jan 69 | Ottawa, Ill. | Free Trader (16 Jan 69) and Republican (21 Jan 69)4explanatory note |
| 14 Jan 69 | Davenport, Iowa | Democrat (15 Jan 69) |
| 15 Jan 69 | Iowa City, Iowa | Republican (6 and 20 Jan 69) |
| 20 Jan 695explanatory note | Toledo, Ohio | Commercial and Blade (21 Jan 69) |
| 21 Jan 69 | Norwalk, Ohio | Reflector (26 Jan 69) |
| 22 Jan 696explanatory note | Cleveland, Ohio | Herald, Leader, and Plain Dealer (23 Jan 69) |
| 25 Jan 69 | Marshall, Mich. | Statesman (28 Jan 69) |
| 26 Jan 69 | Batavia, Ill. | Aurora (Ill.) Beacon (4 Feb 69) |
| 27 Jan 69 | Freeport, Ill. | Bulletin (28 Jan 69) and Journal (3 Feb 69) |
| 28 Jan 69 | Waterloo, Iowa | Courier (4 Feb 69)7explanatory note |
| 29 Jan 69 | Galena, Ill. | Gazette (2 Feb 69) |
| 1 Feb 69 | Jacksonville, Ill. | Journal (2 Feb 69) and Sentinel (5 Feb 69) |
| 13 Feb 69 | Ravenna, Ohio | Portage County Democrat (17 Feb 69) and Democratic Press (18 Feb 69)8explanatory note |
| 15 Feb 699explanatory note | Alliance, Ohio | 17 Feb 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 16 Feb 69 | Titusville, Pa. | Morning Herald (17 Feb 69) |
| 17 Feb 6910explanatory note | Franklin, Pa. | 17 Feb 69 to Fairbanksclick to open link (two letters) |
| 23 Feb 69 | Trenton, N.J. | True American (17–23 Feb 69) and State Gazette (23 Feb 69) |
| 25 Feb 69 | Stuyvesant, N.Y. | Hudson (N.Y.) Columbia Republican (16 Feb 69) |
| 1 Mar 69 | Geneseo, N.Y. | Genesee Valley Herald (24 Feb 69) |
| 3 Mar 6911explanatory note | Lockport, N.Y. | Journal (4 Mar 69) |
| 16 Mar 69 | Newtown, N.Y. | 12 Mar 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 20 Mar 69 | Sharon, Pa. | Times (24 Mar 69) or Herald (27 Mar 69) |
1869–1870 Tour
| 1 Nov 69 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Commercial, Gazette, Post (2 Nov 69), and others |
| 2 Nov 69 | Sharon, Pa.? or | Fall to SLC, 27 Oct 69 |
| Brookville, Pa.? | Pittsburgh Gazette (2 Nov 69) | |
| 3 Nov 69 | Johnstown, Pa.? | Pittsburgh Gazette (2 Nov 69) |
| 8 Nov 6912explanatory note | Worcester, Mass.? | Fall to SLC, 27 Oct 69 |
| 9 Nov 69 | Providence, R.I. | Evening Press, Journal, and Morning Herald (10 Nov 69) |
| 10 Nov 69 | Boston, Mass. | Advertiser, Herald, Post (11 Nov 69), and others |
| 11 Nov 69 | Charlestown, Mass. | Advertiser (13 Nov 69) |
| 13 Nov 69 | Norwich, Conn. | Advertiser (15 Nov 69, cited in Lorch 1968, 359 n. 5)13explanatory note |
| 15 Nov 69 | Clinton, Mass. | Courant (20 Nov 69) |
| 16 Nov 69 | Holyoke, Mass. | Springfield (Mass.) Republican (16 Nov 69) |
| 17 Nov 69 | Danvers, Mass. | Monitor (24 Nov 69) |
| 19 Nov 69 | Jamaica Plain, Mass. | Boston Post and Boston Journal (11 Nov 69), Boston Evening Transcript (13 Nov 69) |
| 23 Nov 6914explanatory note | Hartford, Conn. | Courant (24 Nov 69) and Times (25 Nov 69) |
| 26 Nov 69 | Unidentified site | 27 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 29 Nov 69 | Newtonville, Mass. | Newton Journal (4 Dec 69) |
| 30 Nov 69 | Thompsonville, Conn. | Springfield (Mass.) Republican (2 Dec 69) |
| 1 Dec 6915explanatory note | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Times and Eagle (2 Dec 69) |
| 3 Dec 69 | Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | Eagle and Press (4 Dec 69) |
| 7 Dec 69 | Philadelphia, Pa. | Evening Bulletin, Inquirer (8 Dec 69), Sunday Mercury (12 Dec 69), and others |
| 8 Dec 69 | Washington, D.C. | Evening Star, Morning Chronicle, National Republican (9 Dec 69), and others |
| 9 Dec 69 | Germantown, Pa. | 29 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 10 Dec 69 | Mount Vernon, N.Y. | Chronicle (18 Dec 69) |
| 11 Dec 69 | West Meriden, Conn. | Meriden Republican (13 Dec 69) |
| 13 Dec 69 | New Britain, Conn. | Record (26 Nov, 17 Dec 69) |
| 14 Dec 69 | Warren, Mass. | 29 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 15 Dec 69 | Pawtucket, R.I. | Gazette and Chronicle and Providence Journal (17 Dec 69) |
| 16 Dec 6916explanatory note | Waltham, Mass. | Free Press and Sentinel (17 Dec 69) |
| 20 Dec 69 | Canton, Mass. | Dedham (Mass.) Gazette (18 and 25 Dec 69) |
| 21 Dec 69 | Hudson, Mass. | 29 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 22 Dec 69 | Portland, Me. | Eastern Argus and Press (23 Dec 69), Transcript (1 Jan 70), and others |
| 23 Dec 69 | Rockport, Mass. | Gloucester (Mass.) Cape Ann Advertiser (31 Dec 69)17explanatory note |
| 24 Dec 6918explanatory note | Slatersville, R.I. | Woonsocket (R.I.) Patriot and Rhode Island State Register (24 Dec 69) |
| 27 Dec 69 | New Haven, Conn. | Morning Journal and Courier and Palladium (28 Dec 69) |
| 28 Dec 69 | Trenton, N.J. | State Gazette (29 and 30 Dec 69) and True American (29 and 30 Dec 69) |
| 29 Dec 69 | Newark, N.J. | Advertiser and Journal (30 Dec 69) |
| 30 Dec 69 | Wilkes-Barre, Pa. | 29 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link |
| 31 Dec 69 | Williamsport, Pa. | Gazette and Bulletin (1 Jan 70) |
| 4 Jan 70 | Owego, N.Y. | Gazette and Times (6 Jan 70) |
| 6 Jan 70 | Amenia, N.Y. | 29 Nov 69 and 6 Jan 70 (CU-MARK), both to OLL |
| 7 Jan 70 | Cohoes, N.Y. | Cataract (8 and 15 Jan 70) |
| 10 Jan 70 | Albany, N.Y. | Argus, Evening Journal, and Express (11 Jan 70) |
| 11 Jan 70 | West Troy, N.Y. | Troy Times and Troy Whig (12 Jan 70) |
| 12 Jan 70 | Rondout, N.Y. | 29 Nov 69 and 10 Jan 70 (2nd of 2, CU-MARK), both to OLL |
| 13 Jan 70 | Cambridge, N.Y. | Washington County Post (14 Jan 70) |
| 14 Jan 70 | Utica, N.Y. | Observer (15 Jan 70) |
| 15 Jan 70 | Oswego, N.Y. | Commercial Advertiser and Times (17 Jan 70) |
| 17 Jan 70 | Baldwinsville, N.Y. | 29 Nov 69 and 10 Jan 70 (2nd of 2, CU-MARK), both to OLL |
| 18 Jan 70 | Ogdensburg, N.Y. | Cleveland Herald (20 Jan 70)19explanatory note |
| 19 Jan 70 | Fredonia, N.Y. | Censor (26 Jan 70) |
| 20 Jan 70 | Hornellsville, N.Y. | Tribune (2 Dec 69, 28 Jan 70) |
| 21 Jan 70 | Jamestown, N.Y. | Journal (22 and 28 Jan 70) |
The Leader mistakenly reported that Clemens lectured in Akron on Thursday, 31 December. He had canceled 14 and 31 December lectures in New York City and Dayton, Ohio, respectively; missed a 15 December engagement in Buffalo; and “broke a lecture engagement” in an unidentified town to be in Elmira with Olivia Langdon “from 7 p.m. 17th to 7 p.m. 18th” ( L2 , 308, 340, 348, 368).
Notices in these and other Illinois newspapers cited in this calendar are reprinted or summarized in Wallace.
Originally Clemens was scheduled to appear in Bloomington, Illinois, on this date (2 Jan 69 to OLLclick to open link).
The Free Trader mistakenly reported that Clemens lectured on Tuesday, 12 January.
Clemens was unable to reach Sparta, Wisconsin, for a scheduled 18 January lecture (14 Jan 69 to PAMclick to open link; 17 Jan 69click to open link and 19 Jan 69, both to OLLclick to open link).
A benefit for the Cleveland Protestant Orphan Asylum (7 Jan 69 to Fairbanks and othersclick to open link).
The Courier mistakenly reported that Clemens lectured on Friday, 29 January.
The Democratic Press mistakenly reported that Clemens lectured on Sunday, 14 February.
Clemens originally expected to lecture in New York City on 15 February. Subsequently that date was reassigned to Titusville, then to Franklin, and finally to Alliance, where he had missed an engagement on 12 February. The Titusville and Franklin lectures were moved to 16 and 17 February, respectively (13 and 14 Jan 69click to open link, 17 Jan 69click to open link, and 13 Feb 69click to open link, all to OLL; 13 Feb 69 to Fairbanks, n. 2click to open link; 17 Feb 69 to Fairbanks from Titusvilleclick to open link).
Clemens postponed an 18 February lecture in Geneseo, New York, until 1 March and canceled a 19 February lecture in Auburn, New York (17 Feb 69 to Fairbanks from Franklinclick to open link, nn. 2, 4; 18 Feb 69click to open link and 21–22 Feb 69click to open link three letters, all to the Young Men’s Association of Geneseo Academy).
A storm had forced Clemens to reschedule this lecture from 27 February (27 Feb 69click to open link and 28 Feb 69click to open link, both to OLL).
The Brookville and Johnstown lectures, although announced by the Pittsburgh Gazette, are not on the 1–10 November itinerary in Fall’s 27 October letter to Clemens and are not mentioned in Clemens’s surviving letters or by local reviewers. They therefore remain doubtful—as do the Sharon and Worcester appointments, which are on Fall’s list, but may not have been kept (see pp. 385–86).
The Advertiser, which doubtless reported the date of the Norwich lecture, was not available for examination. This performance almost certainly was on Saturday, 13 November, rather than the previous night, for which no lecture has been identified. Clemens spent all of Sunday, 14 November, as well as the morning of Monday, 15 November, in Norwich, which he was unlikely to have done had he lectured there on Friday, 12 November (15 and 16 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link).
An engagement in Rutland, Vermont, on 24 or 25 November, apparently was canceled (25 Nov 69 to OLLclick to open link).
As a result of a misunderstanding, Clemens canceled a second Brooklyn lecture, scheduled for 6 December (4 Dec 69click to open link and 6 Dec 69click to open link, both to James Redpath).
Lectures scheduled for 17 and 18 December in Abington and Lynn, Massachusetts, respectively, were canceled because Clemens was ill (29 Nov 69click to open link, 18 and 19 Dec 69click to open link, both to OLL; 17 Dec 69 to PAMclick to open link; Fall to SLC, 7 Dec 69, Redpath Letterpress Book, 632, IaU). The Boston weekly Flag of Our Union reported on 18 December that “Mr. Mark Twain lectures to-night in Boston with engagements to fulfil the subsequent nights in Charlestown, Chelsea, Roxbury, and other adjacent places” (808), but none of the specifics of this report are confirmed by Clemens or Fall or by local newspapers.
The Advertiser mistakenly reported that Clemens lectured on Friday, 24 December.
Originally scheduled to lecture in Salem, Massachusetts, on 24 December, Clemens was a late substitute in Slatersville for Josh Billings.
The Herald, evidently drawing on one of its newspaper exchanges, reported that Mark Twain lectured in Ogdensburg “a day or two since.” This engagement, neither advertised nor reviewed in the Ogdensburg Journal, must have been a late addition: Clemens did not include it in the 11–21 January itinerary he sent to Olivia Langdon (10 Jan 70 to OLL 2nd of 2, CU-MARK).