'LOLA MONTEZ' (Con't) From Courtesan to Grass Valley Socialite ------------------------------------------------------------------------- While crossing the isthmus of Panama, she had gained two new suitors, both newspapermen: Samuel Brannan of the California Star and Patrick Purdy Hull, later part-owner of The Whig. Both were captivated by her dazzling beauty and worldly intellect. But it was Hull she married, after a short engagement in San Francisco. Immediately after their wedding, the couple set off on a tour of Sacramento and the nearby gold mining camps. In her lectures, years later, Lola was intensely critical of American men. She said, "They were not at home except to sleep, and they were so absorbed in the rise and fall of stocks that they had no affection to give their families. . . Thus love became a business like everything else. . . Men manipulated pretty women as they did stocks. . . ." Needless to say, Lola and Hull were soon fighting in public, and her stage appearances suffered badly. It was at this time that she dropped the role of actress and confined herself to the "Spider Dance," "Sailor's Hornpipe," and a Swiss dance complete with yodeling. Violinist Miska Hauser, traveling with her as accompanist, stopped many a cabbage-throwing crowd with patriotic salutes. Lola would come to his aid, silencing the audiences with defiant words and seductive smiles. Marital problems reached their peak when an engraved gold comb from King Ludwig arrived while the couple was in Marysville. Hull accused his wife of all types of deceit, and she retaliated by tossing his clothes out the hotel window. The beautiful and picturesque mining town of Grass Valley was the last stop on her tour. It was another Bavaria, with snow-covered mountain peaks and thick pine groves. It was also the settling spot of the famous courtesan. Lola built a home and decorated it lavishly, entertaining guests with no heed to expenses. Her European friends soon swarmed about her, as did the robust miners. She raised and cared for animals, including a bear cub, and tended to a garden. As usual, there were people opposed to her ways, but Lola made the best of it. It was here she was welcomed into the bohemian circle that also included the mother of Lotta Crabtree. Lola was fascinated with the child and taught her horseback riding and dancing. Lotta in turn adored the countess, and would visit her house regularly to eat Bavarian pastries and dress up in her fine European costumes. But when Lola planned a tour of Australia, Lotta's mother would not allow the child to go with her Lola was openly disappointed, but set out on the trip with the same high spirits she constantly maintained. Accompanying her was a young man named Augustus Noel Follin, married and the father of three children but still enraptured with the Countess. He signed on as her agent. But in writing to his relatives, he let it be known that he found the former mistress of the King of Bavaria exciting. When she returned to the United States, Lola knew her stage days were coming to an end. After a short engagement doing a sister act with Follin's young daughter, Miriam, Lola retired. She continued to hold court for many politicians and celebrities of the day. Early in 1858 Lola Montez became a champion for women's rights, taking to the lecture circuit. She traveled extensively, giving beauty advice, making critical comments about men in general, and constantly denying that she was immoral. Women found her beauty tips interesting and also enjoyed the book she published on the matter, The Arts of Beauty, or Secrets of a Lady's Toilet with Hints to Gentlemen on The Art of Fascinating. At 40, ravaged by her turbulent life and full of disillusionment, Lola took up the Bible, hoping to do penance for all her past sins. She was converted to Methodism and roamed through the New York parks, reading and quoting the scriptures. Her health was failing, and her money was gone. During her final days, she was taken in and cared for by Mrs. Margaret Buckanan, a childhood friend from Scotland. Dr. Francis Hawks cared for her religious needs, and she told him of her intense hatred of her mother and the miserable life she had as a child. Dr. Hawks wrote up her story, and The Story of a Penitent was published by the Protestant Episcopal Society. Lola died quietly on January 17, 1861. She was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in New York. Her estate had only enough money to pay her funeral expenses and make a small donation to the Madadlen Asylum for Women. Perhaps her own words, presented in one of her lectures, best described her tumultuous life. "The great misfortune was that there was too much of me to be held within the prescribed and safe limits allotted to woman; but there was not enough to enable me to stand securely beyond the shelter of conventional rules." To Be Continued . . ."Rosita and Dorina - 5 senseless murders. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert April 11, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net