This is Mark Twain’s figure in Hannibal, Missouri.

I am a great fan of his stories, both long and short. He was a visionary though not a great businessman.

He published Grants memoirs with his own publishing company as Grant lay dying of cancer. Grant had little money and had been selling his memoirs to the newspapers for nearly nothing.

Mark Twain supported the only artist to create a bust that the Grant family approved of.

Many called him an opportunist for helping Grant.

He supported many men trying to create art and machines to his own detriment.

He supported the man trying to create the linotype machine but someone beat him at it after years of failure. Mark Twain lost tons of money on that deal and many others.

He was a river boat pilot on the ever changing Mississippi.

He arranged a job for his brother on a paddle wheeler and he was killed by an exploding boiler.

Mark Twain’s life was marked as many lives are, by ups and downs and wealth and poverty.

He became one of America’s first stand up comedian and story teller to make ends meet.

More photos tomorrow as time permits.

I’m working on a little something now and will put more of “Joe in Africa” up tomorrow.

Remember to look for “The House On The Cliff,” on Amazon. It’s a fun and serious child friendly ghost story set in early California.

“Warning” Some familiar people in American history might just show up.