January 13, 1869 – The Iowa City Republican announces that Mark Twain will be giving the first lecture of the new year.

So, on January 15, 1869 – just as the decade is coming to a close, the American humorist comes to Iowa City to present his latest lecture – The American Vandal Abroad. Metropolitan Hall was packed, but apparently Twain’s presentation was a “humbug” as reviewed by a local newspaper. But the Vandal didn’t react too well to his poor showing, making a bigger scene the next morning at his hotel. Come read the full story.

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