Lola Montez in Grass Valley (PH 17-1)(Undated) (40 pages)

wwwaewvwveweoewTv J particularly in California. It is so well known that it is called ‘the world renowned Spider Dance’ and why should I not dance it in California? I can’t always find the spider when I hunt for it — it can’t always be seen — I can’t put it to the ground; and when J stamped it was only in a joke. It is sometimes customary for my friends to throw a bouquet of flowers upon the stage and for be to trample on it to represent a spider as it is not always convenient to find a real spider, butitisno insult to my friends. I will wipe out from my memory what occurred. It was unworthy of me, and I shall speak of it no more. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you wish me to go on with my dances, you have only to say the word.’ ” At the conclusion of this speech the Countess was hailed by thunders of applause, amid which she smiled sweetly, dropped a curtsy and retired gracefully.” Ph ae Daily Alta, July 10, 1853; .“Lola; Montez. gave another entertainment in Sacramento Friday night which was well attended, though the house was not as crowded as on the previous evening. Lola isa great woman and the Sacramento people an unstable people. One night she is chivareed, hissed, hooted and insulted, and the next she is applauded, clapped and glorified by the.same people.” Daily Alta, July 9, 1853: “There was another act of Lola Montes in Sacramento more interesting by far than any part of her Bavarian history, as she played on the stage. It appears that the editor of the (Sacramento) ‘Californian’ newspaper had declared in his issue yesterday morning that the enthusiasm (of the audience) was all sham, the paid responses of a hired house. These were not his words but it is the idea. . (The actual words were “The house might. be — called full, but looking it over, we could distinguish only a few, a very few of our citizens present. To strangers impelled by more curiosity and the free use of free tickets, is she indebted for an audience.”) Now mark what follows: “To the Responsible Editor of the Californian: The extraordinary article concerning myself which appeared in your paper this morning requires an extraordinary answer. I use this word ‘Extraordinary’ for I am astonished that a respectable (?) editor should lie in such a barefaced manner, and be so void of gallantry and courtesy as yourself. Iama woman. I do not advocate women’s rights, but at the same time I can right myself by inflicting summary on all jacks and apes!!! After sucha gross insult, you must don the petti-coats. I have brought some with me, which I can lend you for the occasion. You must fight with me. I leave the choice of two kinds of weapons to yourself, for I am very magnanimous. You may choose between my duelling pistols or take your choice of a pill-box. One shall be poison and the other not and the chances are even. I request. that this affair may be arranged by your seconds as soon as possible as my time is quite as valuable as your own. Maria de Landsfeldt Hull LOLA MONTEZ” The editor declined both propositi ignorin} merce: prop ons by ignoring Lola Played the remainder of her engagement before capacity crowds. After concluding her Spider Dance the evening before her final appearance, she was applauded again and again and responded with One of her characteristic speeches in which she de= clared the “sunshine would always be in her breast when she thought of the noble city of Sacramento.”Although the San Francisco Whig newspaper had entered upon its second volume and was proving a successful enterprise, Patrick Hull must have come to the conclusion that his undisciplined bride required a full-time guardianship. ‘ The Golden Era, July 17, 1853: “Patrick P. Hull has retired from the San Francisco Whig.” : eooeovseveve eevee eueeqegeeeeeeVwteWe ede PART V. “On To Grass Valley” The Comanche, an excellent little river steamer running between San Francisco and Marysville every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, was built after the style of those plying the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. As traveling by water in the early Fifties offered more conveniences and comfort than by horse-drawn stages, Montez and Co. may have boarded the little packet for Marysville on Friday, July 15, 1853. The news of Lola’s mediocre acting however, had preceded her and spread to such an extent that her Marysville engagement was even more humiliating than the fiasco in Sacramento and lasted only over the weekend. San Francisco Herald, July 19, 1853: “A well authenticated rumor from Marysville had it yesterday that there had been a regular blow up between Lola Montes and a party whom we shall forebear to name. The contest waxed so fierce that it was with difficulty that police officers were restrained from taking the contestants to the station house.” Daily Alta, July 19, 1853; “The Californian learns that Lola Montez has stirred up considerable commotion in the quiet town of Marysville. It says she fell out with the audience and then carried the bitterness into private life. Miska Hauser left the company in disgust. Mr. Hull left the hotel for another place of abode.” San Francisco Herald, July 19, 1853: “Miska Hauser having detached himself from the troupe of Lola Montes . arrived in Sacramento from Marysville on Sunday afternoon. It is said he designs giving several concerts before leaving.” ; Miska Hauser’s comments on Lola were, “Frivolous, naughty as a little child; can charm with a wink; woe to him who falls into her disfavor. She has a very excitable nature and for the slightest reason her whole body will tremble and her ‘eyes flash lightning. For this reason one has to treat her carefully because she is the most courageous and foolhardy woman who ever walked the earth, but up to now she has been lovely to me.” Despite the rumors that Lola had thrown her husband’s luggage out of the hotel window and their marriage ended, Patrick Hull accompanied his wife to Grass Valley. Two musicians remained with the troupe, Mons Chenal, who had joined them in San Francisco, and Charles Eigenschenck, violinst and orchestra leader of Lola’s group, who had arrived in California on the Northerner. The only means of passenger transportation tothe mines from the river towns was by horse-drawn stages, over roads that had been trailsinthe formative years. Provisions shipped by steamboat to Sacra~ mento or Marysville were loaded on freight wagons or pack trains and hauled to remote areas in the canyons of the Sierra Nevada. Being in constantuse, the roads were dusty in summer and muddy in winter. There had been talk of laying a plank road, 16 1/2 feet across or just wide enough for teams to pass, the full length of the 39 1/2 miles between Marysville and Nevada City. The road had been surveyed and plans for raising a construction fund were in course of preparation at the time Lola’s troupe reached Marysville. Staging in 1853 can best be described by quoting from “The Golden Era,” for December 10. “A stage ride from Marysville to Nevada presents little attraction under the most favorable circumstances, but for those unfortunates whose business compels them to be constantly on the move . it can only be regarded as a necessary evil . We found our-selves hastening to the coach office yet scarce day break, the rain and wind at each step. seeming to defy our progress and to speak as plain as words could utter, ‘Don’t you go!” We reached the depot however . finding fault with ourselves and stage coaches in particular. The curtains of our coach being closely fastened down, I am unable todescribe anything along the road from appearances . we.

wwwaewvwveweoewTv J particularly in California. It is so well known that it is called ‘the world renowned Spider Dance’ and why should I not dance it in California? I can’t always find the spider when I hunt for it — it can’t always be seen — I can’t put it to the ground; and when J stamped it was only in a joke. It is sometimes customary for my friends to throw a bouquet of flowers upon the stage and for be to trample on it to represent a spider as it is not always convenient to find a real spider, butitisno insult to my friends. I will wipe out from my memory what occurred. It was unworthy of me, and I shall speak of it no more. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you wish me to go on with my dances, you have only to say the word.’ ” At the conclusion of this speech the Countess was hailed by thunders of applause, amid which she smiled sweetly, dropped a curtsy and retired gracefully.” Ph ae Daily Alta, July 10, 1853; .“Lola; Montez. gave another entertainment in Sacramento Friday night which was well attended, though the house was not as crowded as on the previous evening. Lola isa great woman and the Sacramento people an unstable people. One night she is chivareed, hissed, hooted and insulted, and the next she is applauded, clapped and glorified by the.same people.” Daily Alta, July 9, 1853: “There was another act of Lola Montes in Sacramento more interesting by far than any part of her Bavarian history, as she played on the stage. It appears that the editor of the (Sacramento) ‘Californian’ newspaper had declared in his issue yesterday morning that the enthusiasm (of the audience) was all sham, the paid responses of a hired house. These were not his words but it is the idea. . (The actual words were “The house might. be — called full, but looking it over, we could distinguish only a few, a very few of our citizens present. To strangers impelled by more curiosity and the free use of free tickets, is she indebted for an audience.”) Now mark what follows: “To the Responsible Editor of the Californian: The extraordinary article concerning myself which appeared in your paper this morning requires an extraordinary answer. I use this word ‘Extraordinary’ for I am astonished that a respectable (?) editor should lie in such a barefaced manner, and be so void of gallantry and courtesy as yourself. Iama woman. I do not advocate women’s rights, but at the same time I can right myself by inflicting summary on all jacks and apes!!! After sucha gross insult, you must don the petti-coats. I have brought some with me, which I can lend you for the occasion. You must fight with me. I leave the choice of two kinds of weapons to yourself, for I am very magnanimous. You may choose between my duelling pistols or take your choice of a pill-box. One shall be poison and the other not and the chances are even. I request. that this affair may be arranged by your seconds as soon as possible as my time is quite as valuable as your own. Maria de Landsfeldt Hull LOLA MONTEZ” The editor declined both propositi ignorin} merce: prop ons by ignoring Lola Played the remainder of her engagement before capacity crowds. After concluding her Spider Dance the evening before her final appearance, she was applauded again and again and responded with One of her characteristic speeches in which she de= clared the “sunshine would always be in her breast when she thought of the noble city of Sacramento.”Although the San Francisco Whig newspaper had entered upon its second volume and was proving a successful enterprise, Patrick Hull must have come to the conclusion that his undisciplined bride required a full-time guardianship. ‘ The Golden Era, July 17, 1853: “Patrick P. Hull has retired from the San Francisco Whig.” : eooeovseveve eevee eueeqegeeeeeeVwteWe ede

PART V. “On To Grass Valley” The Comanche, an excellent little river steamer running between San Francisco and Marysville every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, was built after the style of those plying the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. As traveling by water in the early Fifties offered more conveniences and comfort than by horse-drawn stages, Montez and Co. may have boarded the little packet for Marysville on Friday, July 15, 1853. The news of Lola’s mediocre acting however, had preceded her and spread to such an extent that her Marysville engagement was even more humiliating than the fiasco in Sacramento and lasted only over the weekend. San Francisco Herald, July 19, 1853: “A well authenticated rumor from Marysville had it yesterday that there had been a regular blow up between Lola Montes and a party whom we shall forebear to name. The contest waxed so fierce that it was with difficulty that police officers were restrained from taking the contestants to the station house.” Daily Alta, July 19, 1853; “The Californian learns that Lola Montez has stirred up considerable commotion in the quiet town of Marysville. It says she fell out with the audience and then carried the bitterness into private life. Miska Hauser left the company in disgust. Mr. Hull left the hotel for another place of abode.” San Francisco Herald, July 19, 1853: “Miska Hauser having detached himself from the troupe of Lola Montes .. arrived in Sacramento from Marysville on Sunday afternoon. It is said he designs giving several concerts before leaving.” ; Miska Hauser’s comments on Lola were, “Frivolous, naughty as a little child; can charm with a wink; woe to him who falls into her disfavor. She has a very excitable nature and for the slightest reason her whole body will tremble and her ‘eyes flash lightning. For this reason one has to treat her carefully because she is the most courageous and foolhardy woman who ever walked the earth, but up to now she has been lovely to me.” Despite the rumors that Lola had thrown her husband’s luggage out of the hotel window and their marriage ended, Patrick Hull accompanied his wife to Grass Valley. Two musicians remained with the troupe, Mons Chenal, who had joined them in San Francisco, and Charles Eigenschenck, violinst and orchestra leader of Lola’s group, who had arrived in California on the Northerner. The only means of passenger transportation tothe mines from the river towns was by horse-drawn stages, over roads that had been trailsinthe formative years. Provisions shipped by steamboat to Sacra~ mento or Marysville were loaded on freight wagons or pack trains and hauled to remote areas in the canyons of the Sierra Nevada. Being in constantuse, the roads were dusty in summer and muddy in winter. There had been talk of laying a plank road, 16 1/2 feet across or just wide enough for teams to pass, the full length of the 39 1/2 miles between Marysville and Nevada City. The road had been surveyed and plans for raising a construction fund were in course of preparation at the time Lola’s troupe reached Marysville. Staging in 1853 can best be described by quoting from “The Golden Era,” for December 10. “A stage ride from Marysville to Nevada presents little attraction under the most favorable circumstances, but for those unfortunates whose business compels them to be constantly on the move .. it can only be regarded as a necessary evil .. We found our-selves hastening to the coach office yet scarce day break, the rain and wind at each step.. seeming to defy our progress and to speak as plain as words could utter, ‘Don’t you go!” We reached the depot however .. finding fault with ourselves and stage coaches in particular.. The curtains of our coach being closely fastened down, I am unable todescribe anything along the road from appearances .. we.