MARK TWAIN IN THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC CHRONICLE
1865
[EDITOR'S NOTE: These items have not been previously republished elsewhere. The are included in this collection because of their potential to be the work of Clemens and are deserving of further research and consideration. Clemens wrote about the Maguire and Macdougall affair in two letters to the Enterprise -- one dated December 20, 1865; the other contained a poem about the incident. Clemens also wrote about the "Outcroppings," a publication being prepared by his colleague Bret Harte, in three letters to the Enterprise in a letter published January 23, in another dated January 24, and again in February 1866.]
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STILL ANOTHER OPERA HOUSE ROW
Washington street in the neighborhood of the Opera House is becoming somewhat notorious for disturbances of the peace. A most disgraceful occurrence took place yesterday, concerning which the newspapers owned by Thomas Maguire will probably preserve a discreet and -- to them -- profitable silence. Professor Macdougall was standing in Kohler's music store, at about half-past two yesterday afternoon, engaged in conversation with Miss Emily Thorne. Thomas Maguire entered the store, and coming up behind him in the most cowardly manner, attempted to strangle him, and then belabored him with his fist,. Professor Macdougall managed to ward off the blows and cast his assailant off, who rushing into the street poured out a volley of filthy abuse on the gentleman, attributing his origin to a female Scotch terrier, and otherwise slandering him. Miss Emily Thorne was not attacked by the ruffian, several gentlemen being present who were ready to defend her. Maguire was sober. Professor Macdougall has for some time past been in ill health, which may account for this attack being made on him. The cause of this infamous proceeding was, we understand, the publication by Professor Macdougall of the statement of facts in connection with Miss Emily Thorne's inability to fully perform her promise to the British Benevolent Association, which we reproduced in yesterday's CHRONICLE. We regret to hear that Miss Emily Thorne is suffering extremely from indisposition caused by fright. Maguire made no threats of breaking this lady's bones, or otherwise assaulting her; she is merely suffering from the effects of the fright. If ladies are to be able to walk on Washington street, it will probably be as well that the owner of the Opera House be bound over to keep the peace toward gentlemen in ill health and unprotected ladies. This disgraceful affair will probably be brought up in the Police Court this morning; whether or no the reporters of the press will be excluded we do not know.
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"OUTCROPPINGS"
The above is the title of a volume consisting of selections from the "Californian Poets," prepared for the press by Frank Bret Harte, Esq., the well known litterateur, and published by Roman & Co., of this city. It is an elegant volume, and contains many very favorable specimens of California poetry. But it certainly cannot be said to be a fair representation of our indigenous poets. It contains selections from the writings of not more than fifteen or twenty persons -- whereas we have at least 1300 poets in this city. Mr. Bell, the poet of the Elevator, has no place assigned him in this volume. All the Flag and Alta poets are also left out in the cold. The omission of Mr. Harte himself we can only explain on the ground of some strange whim masquerading as "modesty." The omission of Frank Soule is owing to the fact that he is about to bring out his poems in collected form, and it was in consequence of his own supposed wish that nothing of his was used. But how explain the omission of Bell, and the Flag and Alta poets, and 1150 country poets? Mr. Harte hints in his preface at the "peril" he has incurred in assuming his editorial supervision of this work; but we don't believe he has yet begun to realize the extent of it.
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[transcribed from microfilm]
