"There is but one man now living who worked on the Mark Twain house from the beginning until it was finished and even after that, making changes as well as additions desired by the Clemens family. He is Robert Garvie of Russ Street, a brother of John B. Garvie, general contractor for the Mark Twain mansion.

Mr. Garvie, who is 88 years old, recalls Mr. Clemens in the days when the famous house was under construction. He remembers the daily visits as Mr. and Mrs. Clemens patiently watched the house rise, making suggestions and conferring with the architect, Edward Potter, who drew the plans, making such changes in them as the author and his wife desired.

Before the foundation was started, Mr. Garvie laid the first water pipe and from that time forward, was almost constantly on the job until long after the house was completed, not only installing new equipment but also making changes demanded by the Clemens.

Before the house was finished, Mr. Garvie recalls that when in the city, Mr. and Mrs. Clemens were accustomed to come over daily to the property from the Hooker place at Hawthorn and Forest Streets, their temporary home. They kept in close touch with the construction progress and sometimes before the billiard room on the third floor was entirely finished, Mark Twain was frequently seen to go there to spend his mornings writing.

The Clemenses were like children about the place, Mr. Garvie recalls. Mrs. Clemens frequently objected to climbing the long stairs and without hesitation, many times, Mr. Garvie said, he had seen Mark Twain pick her up in his arms and gaily mount the stairs, the pair laughing and chiding one another."