Pennsylvania

[instrumental music] The year was 1858.

The Mississippi riverboat, Pennsylvania, was laying over at St. Louis.

Among the crew were Henry Clemens and his older brother, Sam.

Samuel Clemens, who would one day write his way to fame under the pen name of Mark Twain.

Sam, it was just a dream.

Yes.

A few weeks later, on June 13th, 60 miles below Memphis, the boilers of the steamboat Pennsylvania exploded.

Among the 160 dead was Henry Clemens.

The Rowe was a heavenly place, but Sam's stay there did not last.

Bixby came down from the Missouri and perhaps thought he was doing a fine thing for his pupil by transferring him to a pilot named Brown, then on a large passenger steamer, the Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania was new and one of the finest boats on the river.

Sam Clemens by this time was accounted a good steersman, so it seemed fortunate and a good arrangement for all parties.

But Brown was a tyrant.

Young Clemens had been on the river nearly a year at this time, and though he had learned a good deal and was really a fine steersman, he received no wages.

He had no board to pay, but there were things he must buy, and his money supply had become limited.

Each trip of the Pennsylvania, she remained about two days and nights in New Orleans, during which time the young man was free.