The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-04-29
About Lotta. the Little Actress.

About L0tt9s the A1ttlc ActIcs'
Miss Crabtree, the ssLittle Nell'' of early
fame and now sLotta,'' was born in New
York, possibly as early as l848-but IN
this matter Of the lady's age the writer
only ventures guess; Of course ne mas
no positive information. Her parents
soon after removing to San Francisco, she
was there in the early days Of immigra-
ton to that State and, babies ana iittie
girls being not over plenty there then. De-
came quite we'll known among the 4s-ers'
and those who came after them Tor the
next few years, SO that sne was
quite we'll known and already
iavorite among the miners when she made
her debut on the stage in San francisco
in 1852, taking little parts in which she
could sing, dance and play the banjo.
She quickly achieved . great local reputa-
ton and so delighted the people. especial
" the miners, that they showered gold
npon her with more freedom than ever
ST. Paul audience rained bcquets
upon an actress or singer. 1t was way
they had, those old-timers OF California
to be prodigal Of their gold; and as Tor
the little girl, she fairly earned their en-
thusiastic admiration. In 1854 she came
east, first appearing 1t Niblo's Salon, New
York, in "Nan the Good for Nothing
nd s.Jenny Lind" after which she made
extensive tour through the
sntry. playing ''Tartarine' in the
Seven Sisters" and ''Topsy'' in "Uncle
Toms CABIN making great hit in the
latter. About this time John 6roughan
dramatixed Dickens curiosity Shop"
under the title of "Little Nell and the
Marchioness. In. this drama, playing
both Little Nell'' and 'fhe Marchion.
ess" she added largely to her popularity.
but from it she learned to desire line OF
characters entirely her own,-that is
especially adapted to her own peculiar
stvle as we'll as her talents, acquired and
natural. The result Of this was her own
plays,-"Fire.Fly,'' "Heart Ease"
.Rsinbow." Little Detective Zip, !"
ETC., in which she holds
the stage without rival and
steadily gaining, as she extends her trsv-
els, . popularity which is very near If
not quite love--for everybody who secs
her ON the stage seems to have real at.
lection for the charming, happy Creature
whose ways are al delightful, se ap'
pears to be.
Miss Crabt1ee is one of the fortunate
few Of ladies on the stage who have escap.
ed evil report, both in the green room and
galleries. Her travelling companion is hel
mother, and, except what they see of hen
on the stage, the public knows Of her, be-
sides that she is devoted to her profession
and prettily proud Of the conmendations
she wins from al her Audiences, only that
she is charitable and generous lady, q
has been shewn in many transformations
Acts OF kindness. Her gratitude to he1
early friends and her love for the great
hearts she knew there is shown by hel
gift OF 4 splendid drinking fountain
to be placed ct the corner Of kearney ant
Msrkct streets in San Francisco, which
tin course of construction and will cos
some $4,000. TWAS originally designet
to reproduce the lighthouse scene II
"Zip, " but the plans, on being submitted
to the donor, we're considerably
modified, SO as to exclude tn
lighthouse idea. The structure vii
+ be Of iron, resting upoa grant
4 base. finished in stone imitation, viii
prefuse ornaments, including the seal Q
!, the city, marine and land products q
California, and symbols Of the inaustric
and commerce Of that State. Many y
, old Californian, IS he quafs cool waite
from this fountain, will drink to the mem
ory aid rood fortune Of the little gil
whom he used to applaud 90 hearth.
when she sang or danced or played he
banjo, and who grew to be famous &C
tress in . few short years.
am.>n~v spsllanw srheol.