MARK TWIAN MAKES SURPRISE STOP HERE

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The unusual occurrence that transpired Christmas Eve at Drury Lodge could have taken place only once in a blue moon! That's how Mark Twain would have described it, and he was versed in scientific phenomenon.

He was born Nov. 30, 1885, when Halley's comet streaked across the sky after an absence of 75 years, and he died April 10, 1910, when Halley's comet was leaving following a return visit 75 years later.

Mark Twain was Missouri's most famous native son. The state and nation celebrated his 150th anniversary in 1985.

What happened the past December was not like anything that had happened before: The Blue moon of Dec. 31 following the cold moon of December, the extra second the last of December on the world's clocks were preceded by Dr. Iben Browning's earthquake warnings of Dec. 2 and Dec. 31 that frightened the public blue. When nothing happened the public was red with rage and frustrated. The holidays were no time for such upsets.

Mark Twain would have said: "You can't foretell what the public will do. I never tried!"

Christmas Eve the weather was bad, not good for man or beast. The highway warning was, "Don't travel unless it is absolutely necessary." Shops closed early; most employees went home to celebrate Christmas.

A few guests were in the lobby of Drury Lodge when the double doors opened and a man entered who was the spittin' image of Mark Twain.

"It can't be! Mark Twain is dead! We celebrated his 150th anniversary in 1985."

But there stood Mark Twain, his white hair full of ice crystals.

He walked to the registration desk and inquired about a room for his wife and himself, and evening dinner.

"I guess you know you look like Mark Twain," someone said.

"So I've been told, but at present I have shelter and food on my mind," he said. "We have driven all the way from Vicksburg, Miss. over icy roads. Even the battlefield at Vicksburg was coated with ice. It looked like a stage setting for a Christmas play."

"The room is yours," the desk clerk said, "but dinner is another matter. Restaurants in the city closed early. Perhaps a fast-food place is open. I suggest you hurry."

"I'll tell you about myself in the morning," he said to the astonished bystander, and left.

The next morning over a continental breakfast he informed the curious guests that his name was Dale Janssen, and he resided at Columbia, Mo., where he held story-telling classes Mark Twain style, and was a publisher, writer, and lecturer. He wasn't masquerading as Mark Twain; it was his general appearance. He had been pushed into the role of Missouri's favorite son by the public, and found it difficult to convince the public of his true identity.

"I study and research Mark Twain, I teach his humorous and natural style of story telling, and thoroughly enjoy my work, but I am myself, not Mark Twain. I just happen to resemble him. It's his `Prince and the Pauper' story come to life."

Then he told how it happened:

"I was born of German descendants William and Nora Janssen, Oct. 13, 1921 at Nelson, Neb. They had four children: Lorene, Dale (me), Nellie, and Ruth. My family later relocated in Missouri on a farm at Gentry. I served in the Navy supply department in World War II as an officer in charge of loading and storage operations.

"After the war I finished college at University of Missouri. I married, had three children, who are now grown. My wife and I later parted and my present wife, Dr. Janice J. Beaty, was until recently a professor in human service at Elmira College, Elmira, N. Y., where she also taught early childhood education, children's literature and story-telling Mark Twain style. We both do research about Mark Twain.

"My interest in Mark Twain took me to Hannibal in 1983 to call on a friend, 102 years old, who lived at Brier Haven Nursing Home, and to take tours of the city July 2-4 during Tom Sawyer Fence Painting Days and the Fourth of July celebration."

After a visit to the Clemens home the tour group went to John Cruikshank's mansion, 1000 Bird Street, built by the lumber baron in 1990, and where Mark Twain was a guest in 1902 on his way to Missouri University to receive an honorary doctor degree of laws. It was his last trip west.

The caretaker, Dorothy Young, noted Janssen's resemblance to Mark Twain and persuaded him to follow her up the massive oak staircase to a room of mementos of Mark Twain. Then, dressed in one of Twain's white suits, white shirts, black string ties, and black boots, with his Mark Twain style hair, brushy eyebrows and mustache, and holding a cigar, Janssen was startled when he looked in the mirror. "I was Mark Twain!"

When I returned to the waiting tour guests they clapped, called me "Mark Twain," and from that day to this the public has addressed me in that manner."

Janssen continued to explain some of the highlights of his life and work that are too detailed for this article.

His books are available at Columbia. Anyone who is a collector of Mark Twain material or wants a program on Missouri's famous son may obtain more information by writing:

Janssen Educational

Enterprises, Inc.

P.O. Box 1601,

Columbia, Mo. 65205.

He travels the United States and Europe, and is interesting, humorous and in demand. He is also an accomplished harmonica performer, as was his father and grandfather, and has a large collection in many sizes of the fascinating instruments.

"Like Mark Twain, I enjoy making the public laugh, and it's a good way to start the new year."