Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-10
ANrscgDSNTs OF TIE DEAD EMPEROR.
Born in Engla1d-once Wealthy Mer-
chant-Rts Hallucination.

S:15 o'clock Thursday nigh', on the south
east corner of California and dupont streets,
in that city At the time mentioned he was
walking leisurely along the latter thorough
fare, when he was seen to stop and drop
suddenly to the sidewalk. William Prol.
who was within "a few PAGES behind
| him, went to his assistance and raised him
to a sitting posture. Other kind hands
| lent their assistance, and the stricken EN-
peror was provided with a seat and given
such treatment as the time and place afforded.
From the time he was raised from ths
ground he remained speeches. and uncon-
scious and in ten minutes afterwards, with
deep moan, he died. The Coroner was i'm
mediately sent for and the body soon after
removed to the Morgue. Upon his person
were found 81 80 in gold, So in silver and
fve-franc silver piece of the issue of 1928,
and also fictitious kilograms from contem-
poraneous potentates, all written on genuine
Geographic blanks, and delivered to him
probably by persons who meant Norton no
harm and did him none by catering in good
humor to his harmless delusion.
BIOGRAPHY OF DECEASED.
Joshua A. Norton was born in London,
England, on the 4th day of February, 1917.
He was of Jewish parentage, and inherited
all the shrewd characteristics of his race.
He came to San Francisco in November,
1S4S, from Valparaiso, Chile, where he ar
rived but a short time before from Cape
Town. South Africa. But little is known of
his early life except what has been gathered
from him at different times. He is remem-
bered by the early pioneers as having been
shrewd safe and prosperous man, possessing
more than ordinary intelligence, fertile of re-
source and enterprise. His business pur-
suits were varied. At one time he
was buying partner for three or four
mercantile houses in the interior of the
State, and in this capacity manifested great
business ability. Then he engaged in the
real estate business, in which he continued,
with apparent prosperity, number of years.
While in this business he became possessor of
much valuable real estate, and judging by
the frequent occurrence of his name on the
city and county records, and the monetary
values represented, he was one of the largest
land spectators in those early times. 1t APP
pears that his business career eliminated in
the grand effort to get corner on rice, d.
which staple was, some fourteen or sixteen
years ago, a favorite article for specula-
ton. He purchased all that was in
the city, and, as rumor has it, all
that he could ascertain in transit
paying large prices, with view Ct controll
ing future market. OF AIacondray & Co.
he bought large cargo, to arrive, agreeing to
pay 10 cents per pound, or Whereabouts. Other
shipments, however, that he knew not of
were TepOTIeu Ill Vic ueduIlult, anu upon
the arrival of Macondray & Co.'S cargo
the market was so ''fat" that he could not
meet his contract, and protracted lawsuit
followed during which the mania that he was
emperor" first became manifest. He said
that he proposed to compromise the matter
with Messrs Macondray 4 Co. by marrying
Mr. Macondray's daughter and investing her
with the royal title of Empress.
HIS HAILUcINATIoN
Was that he was Emperor of California and
Protector of Mexico. In accordance with
this belief, his sole purpose in life was to
properly administer to his subjects, and do
everything possible for the promotion of pros
perity and the advancement of his dominions.
His diplomatic relations with other countries
were not lost sight Of, and he profited by
closely observing the progress or downfall of
other nations, using their experience in his
home policy. He claimed to have reconciled
the French and Prussians, andtO have brought
about the peace that was established between
them at the close of the Franco Prussian war.
He also claimed that the rebellion was ter
minated through his intercession, and that the
success attending the reconstruction of the
Union was due in a great part to his wise
counsel. The great resources of California
was his pride San Francisco, his favorite
city, he called "The Queen of the Pacific"
By proclamation (which, sometimes, to
humor his within, were published in the city
press) he communicated to his subjects his
ideas of progress and justice. He never
failed to attach his signature, with the i'm
perial seal, Morton l., Emperor of Calitor-
mia and Protector of Mexico, Del gracia.'
Thus from day to day he busted himself with
the affairs of his empire. His belief that he
ruled most royalty was strengthened by the
homage that all showed him.
HIS STYLE OF DRESS.
He could readily be recognized by his dress,
as he paid no attention whatever to the vary
ing fashion. His coat was navy blue, cut in
military style and lavishly trimmed with brass
buttons On the shoulders were heavy epau-
lets, usually furnished with exposure to the
weather In his hat there always waived a
plume of feathers. He always wore but
ton-hole flower. He usually carried cane,
which represented a snake wound round a
limb, of which he was very proud, as he had
frequently created a sensation in the houses
of the Legislature by setting the rattle in
motion. He was good conversationalist,
and having free access to all the libraries and
reading rooms, kept well posted on cur
rent topics. He talked readily upon
any subject He was more familiar
with history than the ordinary citizen.
His scientific knowledge, though some
times mixed, was considerable. He attended
any of the theatres where he pleased He
journeyed by rail and other public convey
anees without expense. He was on familiar
terms with all officials, high and low, feeling
that they were merely bis favored subjects.
He was perfectly harmless, and at times joe
ular and humorous. His living was very in
expensive. He occupied a cheap room and
lived at cheap restaurants. He was temper
ate in habits. When he wished money he
would sign one of the Imperial drafts, and
presenting it to an acquaintance who hui
mored his delusion, get it cashed. He kept
large quantity of these drafts on hand.
The following is copy of what has long
been known in San Francisco as the EN-
peror's scrip:
No 3043-United States-The Imperial Govern
ment of Norton /. promises to pay the holder hereof
the of Fifty Cents in the year $780, with inter-
est at per per annum from date, the princi-
pal and interest TO be convertible at the option of
the holder, at maturity, into twenty years 4-per
cent. Bonds, or payable in Gold Coin.
Given under our Royal hand aud seal this sth day
of January, 1880. NORTON l., Emperor.
NoRToN's HOME.
The Emperor had occupied room in the
Eureka Lodging House, on Commercial
street, San Francisco, for the past seventeen
years. He paid his room-rent-hfty cents
everv night before retiring. He has never
failed in this since he first began to frequent
the house. When a reporter Thursday night
visited the apartment occupied by the de-
was in the same condition in which it had
been left by him few hours before. 1t is
about nine by five feet in size, and has one
small window fronting on Commercial street.
On the walls were a number of Autographs
and Photographic representations of some
of his royal equals, including Queen Emma,
of the Sandwich Islands,, and one of the
Empress Eugene when she was young and
fair. Suspended from nail on one side WIS
his saber with his silk sash and its rich tassel
pendants; opposite to these were a number
of military caps, hats and ehapeaus, with
vari-colored feather adorDments /; in one cor
ner was a group of walking sticks, the han
dies carved in fantastic shapes, and several
Of them adorned with silver plates, on which
were engraved his name and title; in an
other corner was the Chinese umbrella which
he occasionally carried on rainy days. This
was the instrument with which be broke
large pane of glass in Kearny street store.
The cause of this display of imperial wrath
was. Tat local caricaturist had a short time
before pictured lunch table, on one side
OF which stood Emperor Norton, and on the
hen. perched npon his hind legs, with
one.eye cast upon his imperial neigabor, and
the other resting upon his fore paws, in
. which he held beef sandwich, was a notori-
oss dog known as hummer, the companion of
Lazarus which had been placed in the win