New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-09-06
APRINCESs ROPE.WALKER.


PRINCESS ROPE.WALKER.
Remarkable career of the wife ofPrincs
Salm-Salm--She Attempts Circus Rid
ing in Philadelphia-.B ecOmes n Rope.
Walker-Thrilling Adventures-Princt
Salm-Salm her Third Husband.
From the New York SUM-
The recent death of Prince Felix Salm
Salm in battle brings him and his noted
wife once again into that public notice
which they SO much delighted in.
Some time during the winter Of 1857, a
handsome lady, elegantly dressed, visited
the Walnut street Circus in Philadelphia
and made arrangements for instruction in
the art of equestrianism, as practiced by
the divinities of the saw-dust circle She
was already pretty good horsewoman SO
far as riding with a side-saddle was con
cerned; but it was her ambition to astonish
wondering audiences by posing herself on
Dne foot while going at full speed, by flights
I over muslin banners, and by reckless dashes
through paper hoops. Her negotiations re-
= suited satisfactorily, and, under the direc-
.tiOn Of a competent teacher she commenced
s-2sef course of practice. She was well sup
piled with funds, and was always accom-
panied in her visits to the circus by negro
:. servant. 1t was subsequently ascertained
y That at this time she was living under the
protection of a prominent Philadelphia poll
tcian. She gave the high-sOunding name
!, Of Miss Agnes Leclercq, and was cOngratu,
) lated by the manager upon having a frsis
I rate name for a poster.
III Excellence in the art of equation. as
practiced in the circus ring, is only attained
after much perseverance and numerous
npsets Hiss Agnes was plump as well as
pretty, and when she fell, which was very
often, she fell hard. Although she was an
extremely plucky little woman, she was an
eminently practical one, and she shortly
came to the conclusion that she could attain
the end she desired, viz, the admiration of
miscellaneous audiences, with less risk to
her beautiful limbs than was entailed
by the prosecution of her original design.
So she gave up her attempts at circus riding,
and devoted her energies to acquiring the
accomplishments Of tight rope dancer.
For some time she pursued her practice
upon the rope with assiduity, and event
ually became tolerable performer. In the
spring she procured an engagement with a
travelling scircus to make grand ascen-
sion upon single wire" which was
stretched from the ground to the top of the
centre pole OF the circus tent, in the open
mir, this being gratuitiOus exhibition given
before the commencement of the perform
ances for the purpose of attracting a crowd.
Her first appearance in public occurred at
Chicago, in April 1857. The day was
windy, disagreeable one, the atmosphere
was damp, and the wire was wet and Slip
perry. AS she commenced her perilous Jour
ney the gusts of wind played the mischief
with her abbreviated skirts, and rendered it
extremely difficult for her to keep her
footing. But, with balance pole in hand
she steadily pursued her way until
she had walked half the length of
tho wire. At this point she unfertu-
nately made misstep, and, to the horror
of the gaping crowd, came with great We
/. locity to the ground. A stalwart member
of the company caught her in his arms, how
ever, and saved her from injury. whereupon
; she pluckily tried the operation over again,
and this time with complete success, walk
ing to the top of the tent and then perform
lng the still more difficult feat of descend.
ing to the ground by the same hazardous
course, retiring at the conclusion of her per
i0rmance amidst a general chorus of shouts
and cheers from the unwashed multitude
who had been admiring her beauty and
daring. This was her first appearance in
public, but she repeated the performance
twice day the whole of the travelling sea
son, winch lasted six or seven months. dur
ing winch time the circus visited the princi-
pal towns OF Illinois, Missouri. Arkansas
and Kentucky: During her stay in Chicago
she was attenced on various occasions by a
common looking, seedy individual. whom
she introduced to the company "a her
brother, but who, it was afterward learned
was no less an individual than her husband
After leaving Chicago, this individual
vanished from sight, and like Billy Lacka.
days father, che has always kept in the
background. and never since been heard
from" In the autumn that circus came to
grief at Haysville. Kentucky, and the mem.
bers OF the company were left to find their
way to their several homes as best tbev
might. Miss Agnes, by some means. got ~
New York, and it is to be presumed that
she had become thoroughly Disguised with
her circus experiences, as she was never
known to appear in the capacity of tight
rope dancer again.
Soon after arriving in New York, Miss
Agnes married a gentleman of good family,
who was devOtedly attached to her. He
vas a fine, nOble-hearted fellow, and for a
time, so far as known, she behaved herself
with propriety. But this could not last
long. quiet life of responsibility was not
suited to her temperament; she grew dis
COMMENTED So,aha AN and unhappy, and although her
make her home pleasant for her, one day,
without word Of explanation, without
there having been the slightest quarrel or
misunderstanding, she suddenly disap-
Ieared. The next that was known of her
she was living in fine style in Havana. and |
ehortly AFTER she reappeared in this city.
taking apartments at a tirst-class hotel. and |
evidently having at her command tbe |
strings of somebody's plethoric purse. But
like the celebrated Grand Duchess She
loves the military.
Soon after the breaking out of the rebel
hon Miss Agnes figured conspicuously at
and will be remembered hv
many who were connected with the army nj
that time. With good looks, an active in
diligence, frank, pleasing manner, and
audacity, she ingratiated herself
n high quarters, and soon had several dis
ingnished military percentages in her train
# admirers. The destinations Of spangles
plendors of shoulder-straps and epaulets,