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Mark Twain in German-Language Newspapers and Periodicals

White Suit

The white suits Clemens started wearing in public in his seventies shape the "dominant modern image" (Rasmussen et al. 2:940) of the writer and humorist. The first time he made such an unusual appearance was in 1906 when he appeared in a congressional hearing on the topic of literary copyright wearing a white suit and promptly got the attention of the press and his peers (see e.g. [MT lobbying for copyright changes] or [On MT’s white suit]).
Clemens affinity for this style of dress is sometimes attributed to his "enjoyment of shocking people" (Rasmussen et al. 2:940) and to his desire to express his own freedom and individuality via his clothing (see Rasmussen et al. 2:650).
Clemens was dressed in a white suit for his funeral.

This page is referenced by:

Mark Twain zur Ruhe gebettet | 25 April 1910

Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.), 25 April 1910. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045081/1910-04-25/ed-1/seq-1/>

Transcription	English Translation
Mark Twain zur Ruhe gebettet	Mark Twain laid to rest
Elmira, N.-Y., 21. April. - Die in einen weißen Anzug gekleideten Ueberreste Mark Twain's langten heute auf einem Extrazuge von New-York hier an und wurden auf der „Woodlawn Cemetery“ zur Ruhe gebettet. Auf Wunsch der Frau Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Tochter des Verstorben, ging die Beerdigung privatim von statten.	Elmira, N. Y., April 21. - The remains of Mark Twain, dressed in a white suit, arrived here today on a special train from New York and were laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. At the request of Mrs. Ossip Gabrilowitsch, daughter of the deceased, the funeral was held privately.
Rev. Joseph H. Twichell, seit nahezu 50 Jahren Pastor einer Congregationalichen-Gemeinde zu Hartford, Conn., welcher bei der Beerdigung amtiren sollte, wurde durch den heute früh plötzlich in Hartford eingetretenen Tod seiner Gattin zur schleunigen Rückkehr gezwungen und konnte der Beisetzung nicht beiwohnen. Er hatte Antheil an der gestrigen Gedächtnißfeier in New-York genommen. Frau Twichell war eine intime Freundin der verstorbenen Frau Clemens gewesen.	Rev. Joseph H. Twichell, for nearly 50 years pastor of a Congregational church at Hartford, Conn., who was to officiate at the funeral, was compelled to return quickly by the sudden death of his wife in Hartford this morning and was unable to attend the funeral. He had attended yesterday's memorial service in New York. Mrs. Twichell had been an intimate friend of the late Mrs. Clemens.

Zur letzten Ruhe | 24 April 1910

Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.), 24 April 1910. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045081/1910-04-24/ed-1/seq-3/>

Transcription	English Translation
Zur letzte Ruhe	Final resting place
New-York, 23. April. - Einfach, wie er gelebt, gestaltete sich heute auch die Leichenfeier Mark Twain's. Um 3 Uhr Nachmittags fand sie in der Brick Presbyterian Kirche an 5. Avenue und 37. Straße statt. Keine Bahrtuchträger begleiten den Sarg. Ebensowenig war Trauermusik vertreten. Nur 400 Einladungskarten waren ausgesandt. Nach der Leichenfeier wurden die irdischen Ueberreste Samuel B. Clemens [sic] nach Elmira überführt, wo sie neben den Leichen der Gattin und beider Töchter des Verstorbenen beigesetzt wurde. In einem weißen Flanell-Anzüge, de er mit Vorliebe in de letzte Jahren trug, wurde er zur letzten Ruhe bestattet.	New York, April 23. - As simple as he lived, was Mark Twain's funeral service held today. It took place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon in the Brick Presbyterian Church at 5th Avenue and 37th Street. No pallbearers accompanied the casket. Neither was funeral music performed. Only 400 invitation cards had been sent out. After the funeral service the earthly remains of Samuel B. Clemens [sic] were transported to Elmira, where they were interred next to the bodies of Twain's wife and both daughters. He was laid to rest in the white flannel suit, which he had preferred to wear during his last years.

Transcription

English Translation

Zur letzte Ruhe

Final resting place

New-York, 23. April. - Einfach, wie er gelebt, gestaltete sich heute auch die Leichenfeier Mark Twain's. Um 3 Uhr Nachmittags fand sie in der Brick Presbyterian Kirche an 5. Avenue und 37. Straße statt. Keine Bahrtuchträger begleiten den Sarg. Ebensowenig war Trauermusik vertreten. Nur 400 Einladungskarten waren ausgesandt. Nach der Leichenfeier wurden die irdischen Ueberreste Samuel B. Clemens [sic] nach Elmira überführt, wo sie neben den Leichen der Gattin und beider Töchter des Verstorbenen beigesetzt wurde. In einem weißen Flanell-Anzüge, de er mit Vorliebe in de letzte Jahren trug, wurde er zur letzten Ruhe bestattet.

New York, April 23. - As simple as he lived, was Mark Twain's funeral service held today. It took place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon in the Brick Presbyterian Church at 5th Avenue and 37th Street. No pallbearers accompanied the casket. Neither was funeral music performed. Only 400 invitation cards had been sent out. After the funeral service the earthly remains of Samuel B. Clemens [sic] were transported to Elmira, where they were interred next to the bodies of Twain's wife and both daughters. He was laid to rest in the white flannel suit, which he had preferred to wear during his last years.

This page references:

White Suit | Photograph