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Volume 069-1 - January 2015 (8 pages)
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Page: of 8
NCHS Bulletin January 2015
she declined appearing publicly, and the money was returned to the ticket holders. After which, a private performance was given to about a dozen favorite hombres,
when the lovely Lola, “as was said,” took the rag off the
“bush,” or in other words, gave the “Spy-dear dance,”
with extra touches, to the infinite delight of the few admiring friends. All that was seen on the occasion has
not been divulged. . . . Madam Lola Montez seems to
be quite captivated with the charming village of Grass
Valley, having for some days been enjoying the hospitality of the Meredith Cottage on Mill street. It is a
cosy scene, these cool, delicious evenings, to see the
charming Countess gracefully swinging in a hammock
under the piazza, surrounded by the gallant host and a
select circle of worshippers at the shrine of Beauty and
Genius, In fact, “Gil” is the envy of the whole town; but
he deserves his success with the fair, for he possesses a
noble heart, and “winning ways.” A lucky dog he is to
have a live Countess at his bachelor box. . ..
A year earlier, in the summer of 1852, just before Alex
wrote one of his youthful epistles to Uncle James, a theatrical group had visited Grass Valley after successful
runs in larger cities. The Nevada Journal reported:
Lola Montez in 1851, soon after her arrival in America. To do honor to Mr. and Mrs. L. Baker, and the com(Daguerreotype by Southworth and Hawes) pany associated with them, now playing at our neighbor town of Grass Valley, a large troupe of citizens took
On July 22, 1853, the Nevada Journal reported: horse on Thursday evening, made their way to Grass
Valley, and attended in a body the representations. The
pieces played were “All that glitters is not gold,” and
“Nature and Philosophy.” The house was well filled,
and the plays passed off with much enthusiasm. At the
conclusion of the first piece, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Mr.
Thoman and Mrs. Judah, were called before the curtain,
The world-renowned Lola Montez is now at Grass
Valley, and danced there on Wednesday and Thursday
evenings. We believe she dances there again this evening because the hall in [Nevada City] is engaged till after Saturday. Next week our citizens may expect a visit
from this extraordinary woman and her talented company. In spite of all the opposition
she has met with, from whatever source,
during her remarkable career, she has been
everywhere triumphant, and has left behind
her in every instance a high admiration for
her intellect and wonder for her versatility
and originality. That this great “star” will
be received with distinction in this city we
doubt not.
A Grass Valley correspondent contributed
this spicy account of the dancer’s alleged
activities:
The Countess Lola Montez, de
Lansfeldt, de Heald, de Hull, had quite a
recherche performance at the Alta a few
evenings since. The attendance at the advertised representation being too thin to justify
the Countess in fulfilling the programme, Lola and her pet bear (right) in front of Gil Meredith’s Mill Street house.
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