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

f PRES cag ws ee OSS (Courtesy of the California Historical Society, San Francisco, California.) Sacramento Union, July 26, 1856: “. Lola Montez was engaged to perform at the Ballarat Theatre for Mr. Cosby. She quarreled with him about accounts, abused him and was set on by his wife. Mrs. Cosby broke a whip on her opponent, then seized Madame. — by the hair — the rest may be imagined.” San Francisco Herald, July 27, 1856: “By the arrival of the Jane A. Falkinburg (July 26, 1856). Among the passengers we recognized the name of the _celebrated Lola Montes.” Daily Evening Bulletin, July 28, 1856: “Several vessels that have recently arrived report one or more of the crew or passengers drowned on the voyage. Not to be exceptional, the Jane A. Falkinburg reports that Mr. Folland, who was one of Lola Montes’ troupe in Australia, and who was returning here with her, fell overboard during the passage . and was drowned.” . _ At the time of Lola’s arrival in San Francisco from Australia, the city was in a turmoil due to the 'murder of James King of William and others. The second Vigilantes were incontrol and had imprisoned Judge David Terry after a stabbing episode. Governor Neely Johnson issued a proclamation naming the Vigilante Committee an unlawful organization and de,clared the County of San Francisco in a state of insurrection. ; Despite the upheaval around her, Lola had a successful two-week engagement at the American Theatre. The bill was changed regularly, and the following excerpts from newspaper reviews show a . decided change in favor of Lola. i The Golden Era, August 17, 1856: “. She has appeared in several characters and has displayed a greater genius than many before give her credit for.” ee ee a eh a ae. ww ww Www . _~ Alta Galifornia, August 20, 1856: “ I Be Bre 15k_ tonishing how this lady has improved as an deriees Since she first came to California. There is a . Sprightliness about her style which is not expressed ” by any actress we ever saw. Alta California, Aug. 23, 1856: “The present engagement of Lola Montez has been one of the most successful ones ever made with any artist in this city, as she has had crowded and sometimes overflowing houses every night for two weeks. We learn that she proceeds to Sacramento where she will commence an engagement next week.” The Golden Era, August 24, 1856: “., Whatisa little singular and at the same time creditable, Madame Lola passed through the engagement without a single pugalistic encounter behind the scenes other than ‘slapping the chops’ of a young gentleman whose gallantry forbade him from returning the blow. Shoulder Striking’ being in bad favor with the Vigilante Committee will doubtless account for Lola’s ‘not indulging to the usual extent in this, her. “favorite pastime.” ' Alta California, Aug. 23, 1856: *. This evening will be performed the burletta of ‘Lola Montez (on the Fanny Major) in which Miss Caroline Chapman will appear.” (This play written by a passenger with the Countess on the voyage to Sydney was generally condemned by the dailies as dull and not successful.) San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 1, — 1856: “It is announced that Madame Lola Montes is about to retire from the stage, and will dispose of her valuable collection of ,diamonds and jewelry at auction . the morning papers value them at $20,000. The auction was conducted by Duncan & Co., 156 Montgomery Street, Sept. 8, the day of Lola’s opening engagement in Sacramento. A newspaper ad stated the sale consisted of 89 lots of diamond jewel‘ry, strictly guaranteed and opened for examination. Before the opening of the auction five-items totaling $197.50 were sold. San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 8, 1856: “The attendance at Mr. Duncan’s sale of these articles was very large andthe bidding very spirited. . The articles-appeared to bring very fair prices for second-hand jewelry. Mr. Duncan said all that was possible to cause folks to estimate them properly, i.e. -highly. A diamond set watch, No. 1, upon thecatalogue brought $233; No. 14, a pair of pearl earrings, $29.50;.No. 15, a necklace and cross,’ $82.50; No. 16, a diamond brooch, $86.00; adiamond cross set with 7 large diamonds and 28 small ones, : $245 . Thus prices did not range so high for the. jewelry of one of the noblesse as appeared to have been expected. The Countess herself did not seemto. be present. If the lady had delivered the articles. to the purchasers from her own fair hands perhaps: _an additional value would have been attached to them.” ~ The mellowness that had come over Lola on her’ return from Australia was a new facet of her personality. Her acting has improved but she wasretir-'_ ing from the stage. It may have been failing health, or perhaps the death of Folland affected her so greatly she felt compelled to make atonement to his children by providing funds for their education. This obligation would also free her from any pledge to return to Grass Valley. Grace Greenwood, the.Eastern correspondent, once said, “Lola seemed to have a mania for falling in love and fighting her way out — poor mad little sinner.” Whatever the reason she had a direct purpose in severing all connections that ' bound her to California and leaving the state forever. That the public was seeking an answer is noted in. the following: Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 8, 1856: “It is stated -. that Madame Lola Montez. has lately become a firm believer/of Spiritualigm . ifso, perhaps the recent sale of her ladyship’s jewelry is thus explained. If the fit continues people may next expect to see the Countess dressed in drab-colored clothes , and with a long Quaker poke bonnet.” aie Seer eS GI Gy.

f PRES cag ws ee OSS (Courtesy of the California Historical Society, San Francisco, California.) Sacramento Union, July 26, 1856: “.. Lola Montez was engaged to perform at the Ballarat Theatre for Mr. Cosby. She quarreled with him about accounts, abused him and was set on by his wife. Mrs. Cosby broke a whip on her opponent, then seized Madame. — by the hair — the rest may be imagined..” San Francisco Herald, July 27, 1856: “By the arrival of the Jane A. Falkinburg (July 26, 1856).. Among the passengers we recognized the name of the _celebrated Lola Montes.” Daily Evening Bulletin, July 28, 1856: “Several vessels that have recently arrived report one or more of the crew or passengers drowned on the voyage. Not to be exceptional, the Jane A. Falkinburg reports that Mr. Folland, who was one of Lola Montes’ troupe in Australia, and who was returning here with her, fell overboard during the passage . and was drowned.” . _ At the time of Lola’s arrival in San Francisco from Australia, the city was in a turmoil due to the 'murder of James King of William and others. The second Vigilantes were incontrol and had imprisoned Judge David Terry after a stabbing episode. Governor Neely Johnson issued a proclamation naming the Vigilante Committee an unlawful organization and de,clared the County of San Francisco in a state of insurrection. ; Despite the upheaval around her, Lola had a successful two-week engagement at the American Theatre. The bill was changed regularly, and the following excerpts from newspaper reviews show a . decided change in favor of Lola. i The Golden Era, August 17, 1856: “.. She has appeared in several characters and has displayed a greater genius than many before give her credit for.” ee ee a eh a ae. ww ww Www . _~ Alta Galifornia, August 20, 1856: “ I Be Bre 15k_ tonishing how this lady has improved as an deriees Since she first came to California. There is a . Sprightliness about her style which is not expressed ” by any actress we ever saw.. Alta California, Aug. 23, 1856: “The present engagement of Lola Montez has been one of the most successful ones ever made with any artist in this city, as she has had crowded and sometimes overflowing houses every night for two weeks. We learn that she proceeds to Sacramento where she will commence an engagement next week..” The Golden Era, August 24, 1856: “., Whatisa little singular and at the same time creditable, Madame Lola passed through the engagement without a single pugalistic encounter behind the scenes other than ‘slapping the chops’ of a young gentleman whose gallantry forbade him from returning the blow. Shoulder Striking’ being in bad favor with the Vigilante Committee will doubtless account for Lola’s ‘not indulging to the usual extent in this, her.. “favorite pastime.”

' Alta California, Aug. 23, 1856: *.. This evening will be performed the burletta of ‘Lola Montez (on the Fanny Major) in which Miss Caroline Chapman will appear.” (This play written by a passenger with the Countess on the voyage to Sydney was generally condemned by the dailies as dull and not successful.) San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 1, — 1856: “It is announced that Madame Lola Montes is about to retire from the stage, and will dispose of her valuable collection of ,diamonds and jewelry at auction .. the morning papers value them at $20,000. The auction was conducted by Duncan & Co., 156 Montgomery Street, Sept. 8, the day of Lola’s opening engagement in Sacramento. A newspaper ad stated the sale consisted of 89 lots of diamond jewel‘ry, strictly guaranteed and opened for examination. Before the opening of the auction five-items totaling $197.50 were sold. San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 8, 1856: “The attendance at Mr. Duncan’s sale of these articles was very large andthe bidding very spirited. . The articles-appeared to bring very fair prices for second-hand jewelry. Mr. Duncan said all that was possible to cause folks to estimate them properly, i.e. -highly. A diamond set watch, No. 1, upon thecatalogue brought $233; No. 14, a pair of pearl earrings, $29.50;.No. 15, a necklace and cross,’ $82.50; No. 16, a diamond brooch, $86.00; adiamond cross set with 7 large diamonds and 28 small ones, : $245 .. Thus prices did not range so high for the. jewelry of one of the noblesse as appeared to have been expected. The Countess herself did not seemto. be present. If the lady had delivered the articles. to the purchasers from her own fair hands perhaps: _an additional value would have been attached to them.” ~ The mellowness that had come over Lola on her’ return from Australia was a new facet of her personality. Her acting has improved but she wasretir-'_ ing from the stage. It may have been failing health, or perhaps the death of Folland affected her so greatly she felt compelled to make atonement to his children by providing funds for their education. This obligation would also free her from any pledge to return to Grass Valley. Grace Greenwood, the.Eastern correspondent, once said, “Lola seemed to have a mania for falling in love and fighting her way out — poor mad little sinner.” Whatever the reason she had a direct purpose in severing all connections that ' bound her to California and leaving the state forever. That the public was seeking an answer is noted in. the following: Daily Evening Bulletin, Sept. 8, 1856: “It is stated -. that Madame Lola Montez.. has lately become a firm believer/of Spiritualigm .. ifso, perhaps the recent sale of her ladyship’s jewelry is thus explained. If the fit continues people may next expect to see the Countess dressed in drab-colored clothes , and with a long Quaker poke bonnet.” aie Seer eS GI Gy.