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

Patrick Hull, as publisher of the San Francisco Whig, probably knew Gilmore Meredith, a fellow Whig party member while serving as agent for the P.M.S.S.Co. in San Francisco. What could have been more hospitable and delightful for Gil than to invite his former colleague and charming, celebrated wife into his home where they might enjoy the conveniences of the Meredith cottage? As an active and enthusiastic citizen in the town, Gilmore Meredith was made secretary of the Grass Valley township committee in July, 1853 and secretary for the Whig County convention held in Nevada City in August of that year. His name appeared in the Nevada Journal for September 1853 on a listto elect delegates to the Pacific Railway convention in San Francisco. It was about this time that Lola decided to make ‘Grass Valley her home; also, when the Beatty House began listing its arrivals on Feb. 24,1854, Gilmore Meredith’s name was one of them. If he did sell his home to Lola, ‘it may have been due to his restlessness, or it could be she had no intention of moving. By May of 1854, he had again decided to return to -his home in New Jersey, and his friends invited him to a farewell dinner, the second time to be complimented in such a manner. It was not an usual. . custom in the fifties, and one was indeed considered ’ a very special person to be so honored. Grass Valley Telegraph, June 1, 1854: ie “Grass Valley, May 20, 1854 : “Gill Meredith, Esq. . Dear Sir: , 2 Ina long intercourse with you in the social circle, '-an attachment has been formed which cannot be , severed without regret. Learning that you are about ' leaving our Pacific shores, we feel we cannot better » manifest our sense of your worth, than to tender you ‘ upon any evening which may best suit your conven‘lence, a supper as a testimonial of our respect and esteem. : Trusting that it may be your pleasure to meet us, with others of your friends at the festive board, We remain respectfully, Your friends and obedient servants, WILLIAM McCORMICK : R. DOZIER T*2 E. McLAUGHLIN eee ‘Cc. R. EDWARDS” “Grass Valley, May 23, 1854 Gentlemen: Your kind favor of the 20th inst. duly reached me. It is with feeling of sincere regret, and at the same time much pleasure that I accept your friendly tender of a supper previous to my departure for an eastern home. _ Regretting sincerely that the link that has so long united us in friendship is at last unexpectedly to be broken, and of pleasure that you deem me worthy of such a handsome testimonial of your appreciation of me. I hope, however, the separation is only for a short time, and whether we meet again onthe golden shores of California or in our boyhood’s home, the chain of fellowship may be again re-united strongly and more lasting than the one about to partus. Go where I will, I shall ever remember the many pleasant hours passed together, and shall take much pleasure, ere my departure in naming verbally an evening for such a re-union as you have offered me, and meantime am Sincerely and truly your friend, GILMORE MEREDITH” On the evening of the 27th., many of the personal friends of Mr. Meredith sat down at the Beatty House, around an ample table, upon which, mine host, Benton, had spread the good things of life in ample profusion, For full six hours, it was one’ continued scene of hilarity, Pleasure and wit, and though regret was a large component, still it was a reason which made one glad to be there. As however, SESESSSSSASsdddddddd ddd dA EEELLEEEE EL ELLE ES. the time for departing arrived, the tearful eye, and many a nervous grasp gave it to be known, that Meredith left numbers of warm friends and earnest . well wishers behind him. Mr. Meredith, an old Californian and pioneer agent of the P.M.S.S.Co., is long and favorably known and esteemed for his many good qualities, integrity and strict business habits. No man is better able and more competent to fill that responsible office. It would please usto give some of the many good speeches, toasts, etc. of that evening, but press of other matters prevents us. Resolutions expressive of confidence and esteem, and of a most complimentary. nature were drawn up and acted upon, and as the stage rolled up to the door, our friend left us with full heart, and we, while cheering, feeling that: “Sorrow which is couched in seeming gladness, Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden saddness. PART VII. “Exit Patrick Hull” Regardless of the assurance by that sage philosopher, Alonza Delano, that harmony prevailed in the Hull family, their marriage was definitely on the wane when the pair reached Grass Valley. The Marysville report of the blow by blow encounter between the two is the first indication that Hull may have taken Lola in hand, a fatal mistake according to Miska Houser, who warned, “Woe to him who falls into her disfavor.” -_A pretense of domestic bliss was effectively displayed for a few short weeks. Lola went her independent way, dancing four evenings in Grass Valley, followed by a week’s engagement in Nevada City. On her return to the Alta Theatre, the familiar pattern that had hauntingly followed her American debuts repeated itself in Grass Valley: the first stage wild enthusiasm, curiosity and a huge audience; then disillusionment and disappointment; and ending either in a fiasco or an empty house. That this should occur in an area filled with lonely miners must have been an extreme shock to Lola Montez, Countess de Landsfeldt. It was the end of her public appearances in the mining camps. As she returned the admission fee to the few in attendance that August night and put on a’ private performance for her dozen or so admirers, it may also have meant the end of her marriage to Patrick Hull. ; A favorite legend oft repeated in stories of Lola’s exploits in Grass Valley is the dance performed before a minister and his wife after his unwarranted attack and criticism of her risque dancing. The Reverend had never attended any of her concerts, so Lola, dressed in costume, put on a special performance in his home and thereafter received the plaudits and enduring friendship of the pastor and his wife. This story handed down from one generation to the next, may be true. It is not recorded in any of the newspapers of that period. It could also be a figment of the imagination of a writer of fiction, groping for any exciting tidbit during Lola’s sojourn in Grass Valley. Her dancing career in the mining camps was of such’short duration, it seemed unnecessary to defend it for future performances. The legend could well have originated from an article appearing in the Alta California, June 8, 1853: “In seeing her (Lola) dance we comprehend partly, how she should turn the head of a king. She calis ‘to mind the heroine of Longfellow’s ‘Spanish Student,’ Preciosa, who created such an excitement in Spain that the watchful heads of the church thought it would be well to prohibit dancing. Previous to the prohibition the Archbishop sent for Preciosa to see her dance, so that he might see what he was prohibiting. Preciosa begins the slow and measured notes of the castinet and tamborine; gradually the music and the dance become livlier, the old Archbishop forgets.

Patrick Hull, as publisher of the San Francisco Whig, probably knew Gilmore Meredith, a fellow Whig party member while serving as agent for the P.M.S.S.Co. in San Francisco. What could have been more hospitable and delightful for Gil than to invite his former colleague and charming, celebrated wife into his home where they might enjoy the conveniences of the Meredith cottage? As an active and enthusiastic citizen in the town, Gilmore Meredith was made secretary of the Grass Valley township committee in July, 1853 and secretary for the Whig County convention held in Nevada City in August of that year. His name appeared in the Nevada Journal for September 1853 on a listto elect delegates to the Pacific Railway convention in San Francisco. It was about this time that Lola decided to make ‘Grass Valley her home; also, when the Beatty House began listing its arrivals on Feb. 24,1854, Gilmore Meredith’s name was one of them. If he did sell his home to Lola, ‘it may have been due to his restlessness, or it could be she had no intention of moving. By May of 1854, he had again decided to return to -his home in New Jersey, and his friends invited him to a farewell dinner, the second time to be complimented in such a manner. It was not an usual. . custom in the fifties, and one was indeed considered ’ a very special person to be so honored. Grass Valley Telegraph, June 1, 1854: ie “Grass Valley, May 20, 1854 : “Gill Meredith, Esq. . Dear Sir: , 2 Ina long intercourse with you in the social circle, '-an attachment has been formed which cannot be , severed without regret. Learning that you are about ' leaving our Pacific shores, we feel we cannot better » manifest our sense of your worth, than to tender you ‘ upon any evening which may best suit your conven‘lence, a supper as a testimonial of our respect and esteem. : Trusting that it may be your pleasure to meet us, with others of your friends at the festive board, We remain respectfully, Your friends and obedient servants, WILLIAM McCORMICK : R. DOZIER T*2 E. McLAUGHLIN eee ‘Cc. R. EDWARDS” “Grass Valley, May 23, 1854 Gentlemen: Your kind favor of the 20th inst. duly reached me. It is with feeling of sincere regret, and at the same time much pleasure that I accept your friendly tender of a supper previous to my departure for an eastern home. _ Regretting sincerely that the link that has so long united us in friendship is at last unexpectedly to be broken, and of pleasure that you deem me worthy of such a handsome testimonial of your appreciation of me. I hope, however, the separation is only for a short time, and whether we meet again onthe golden shores of California or in our boyhood’s home, the chain of fellowship may be again re-united strongly and more lasting than the one about to partus. Go where I will, I shall ever remember the many pleasant hours passed together, and shall take much pleasure, ere my departure in naming verbally an evening for such a re-union as you have offered me, and meantime am Sincerely and truly your friend, GILMORE MEREDITH” On the evening of the 27th., many of the personal friends of Mr. Meredith sat down at the Beatty House, around an ample table, upon which, mine host, Benton, had spread the good things of life in ample profusion, For full six hours, it was one’

continued scene of hilarity, Pleasure and wit, and though regret was a large component, still it was a reason which made one glad to be there. As however, SESESSSSSASsdddddddd ddd dA EEELLEEEE EL ELLE ES. the time for departing arrived, the tearful eye, and many a nervous grasp gave it to be known, that Meredith left numbers of warm friends and earnest . well wishers behind him. Mr. Meredith, an old Californian and pioneer agent of the P.M.S.S.Co., is long and favorably known and esteemed for his many good qualities, integrity and strict business habits. No man is better able and more competent to fill that responsible office. It would please usto give some of the many good speeches, toasts, etc. of that evening, but press of other matters prevents us. Resolutions expressive of confidence and esteem, and of a most complimentary. nature were drawn up and acted upon, and as the stage rolled up to the door, our friend left us with full heart, and we, while cheering, feeling that: “Sorrow which is couched in seeming gladness, Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden saddness. PART VII. “Exit Patrick Hull” Regardless of the assurance by that sage philosopher, Alonza Delano, that harmony prevailed in the Hull family, their marriage was definitely on the wane when the pair reached Grass Valley. The Marysville report of the blow by blow encounter between the two is the first indication that Hull may have taken Lola in hand, a fatal mistake according to Miska Houser, who warned, “Woe to him who falls into her disfavor.” -_A pretense of domestic bliss was effectively displayed for a few short weeks. Lola went her independent way, dancing four evenings in Grass Valley, followed by a week’s engagement in Nevada City. On her return to the Alta Theatre, the familiar pattern that had hauntingly followed her American debuts repeated itself in Grass Valley: the first stage wild enthusiasm, curiosity and a huge audience; then disillusionment and disappointment; and ending either in a fiasco or an empty house. That this should occur in an area filled with lonely miners must have been an extreme shock to Lola Montez, Countess de Landsfeldt. It was the end of her public appearances in the mining camps. As she returned the admission fee to the few in attendance that August night and put on a’ private performance for her dozen or so admirers, it may also have meant the end of her marriage to Patrick Hull. ; A favorite legend oft repeated in stories of Lola’s exploits in Grass Valley is the dance performed before a minister and his wife after his unwarranted attack and criticism of her risque dancing. The Reverend had never attended any of her concerts, so Lola, dressed in costume, put on a special performance in his home and thereafter received the plaudits and enduring friendship of the pastor and his wife. This story handed down from one generation to the next, may be true. It is not recorded in any of the newspapers of that period. It could also be a figment of the imagination of a writer of fiction, groping for any exciting tidbit during Lola’s sojourn in Grass Valley. Her dancing career in the mining camps was of such’short duration, it seemed unnecessary to defend it for future performances. The legend could well have originated from an article appearing in the Alta California, June 8, 1853: “In seeing her (Lola) dance we comprehend partly, how she should turn the head of a king. She calis ‘to mind the heroine of Longfellow’s ‘Spanish Student,’ Preciosa, who created such an excitement in Spain that the watchful heads of the church thought it would be well to prohibit dancing. Previous to the prohibition the Archbishop sent for Preciosa to see her dance, so that he might see what he was prohibiting. Preciosa begins the slow and measured notes of the castinet and tamborine; gradually the music and the dance become livlier, the old Archbishop forgets.