The St. Paul Pioneer-Press says: Some time since Mr. Kingsland Smith of the St. Paul roller mills sent a barrel of his flour to Mark Twain, a personal friend, to show him that St. Paul does not take a back seat to any one in the quality of its flour product. This gave rise to the following characteristic reply from the humorist:

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 12

My Dear Smith--A barrel of the best flour we ever had in our house arrived while we were away on summer vacation, and we are using it now. It came from St. Paul, but no bill came with it. Did you send it? Is this the ordinary price? Let me know right away, because I have got over one hundred people who want to trade with you and with nobody else. They want to give you all their custom. Sincerely yours,
SAMUEL L. CLEMENS

- Hartford Daily Courant, November 2, 1882, p. 2.