D, Journey West andthe birther RMekteliny There were rumor about fortunes to be made in Nevada and California He tried prospecting, mining, speculating, but failed. It was in Virginia City on February 3, 1863,that Mark Twain"was born when Clemens, then 27,signed humorous travel account with that pseudonyme In 1865, The celebrated amping Frog of calaveras Cowntywar published and became an immediate success. Oau TraD. Journey West and the birth of “Mark Twain”  There were rumors about fortunes to be made in Nevada and California. He tried prospecting , mining, speculating, but failed .  It was in Virginia City on February 3,1863,that “Mark Twain” was born when Clemens, then 27,signed a humorous travel account with that pseudonym.  In 1865, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County was published and became an immediate success