Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-24
"EMPEROR NORTONu DEAD.

"EMPEROR NORTON" BEAD.
GONE 70 JOIN THE COUNT yoHANNEs-xouRNNa
IN SAN FRANCISCO-THE LAST OF WIDELY
FAMOUS CHARACTER.
TSan Francisco Call, Jan. 81
Last night at quarter-pa O'Clock Joshua
onV a 1nown ea ana IN Ss
city. He had started from Kearny street up
California with the intention Of occupying
GeSae o. the
Almost as he reached the east line OF Dupont
street. on the south pavement OF California, he
halted for moment. then staggered forward,
walk. William eroll, doing business at No. So
California street, who was going up California
street Immediately behind the Emperor, saw
him fall and FASTENED to aid him. With the
assistance OF others who quickly arrived the
Emperor was placed in q sitting posture on the
wet pavement, with his back supported against
the wall of the corner house. His Speechlessness
and his head falling forward on his breast indi-
Gated TO the rapidly gathering crowd, every one
OF whom knew him, and knew him to be rlgidly
temperate, that something serious had befallen
him, and the police officer of the beat hastened
for carriage to convey him to the City Receiv
ing Hospital: Speedily as the hack had been
procured, when it arrived at the place Norton
was dead. On the reeking pavement, in the
darkness of moonless night under the drip
ping rain and surrounded by a hastily gathered
crowd OF wondering strangers, Merton l.. by the
grace Of God Emperor OF the United States and
Protector of Mexico, departed this life. other
sovereigns have died with no more Of kindly
care: other sovereigns have died as they have
lived, in all the pomp of earthly majesty; bat
death having touched them Norton !. rises up
the exact peer of the haughtiest king or kaiser
that ever wore crown. Perhaps he will rise
more than the peer of most of them.
IMPERIAL DOCUMENTS.
Upon his person were found S. so in gold. s.
In silver and five franc silver piece of the issue
of 1925 and also fictitious kilograms from con-
telnBOTan6OuS DOte1tatpS all written ppnu-
inc Geographic blanks, and delivered to him
probably BY persons who meant Norton no
humor to his harmless deluslon. The following
are some of the messages taken from his pock-
cts at the Morgue:
Il: R. H. to NoRroN l.. Emperor Of the U. s.
Entertain U. s. Grant on his arrival at the ex-
pense of this government, apd draw funds through
BEAcoNsFIELp P. Minister.
ST. PETERSBURG, Sept 26.
We are advised that Queen Victoria will join with
States and England. We approve most heartily
and congratulate you.
ALEXANDER, Gar Russ ia.
PARIS, Sept. 26.
Through diplomatic circles we understand that
Queen Victoria will propose marriage to You as a
Consider well and do not accept No good would
come of it, Wait for . letteF p.as p.onon ponn,ro
The following proclamation is printed on
parchment
PROCLAMATION.
The taxpayer is feeling the effects of univer-
cal suffrage and the American vote; and, whereas.
the fraudulent system which the POLITICAL have
rendered cannot give the taxpayer his pro rata OF
Now thersfSEe Norton l. Dec Gratias do
signing the Spring Valley Water bill under penalty
oar
The seal to the foregoing is specially gaudy
one.
There was what was evidently a dispatch
from Hong Kong, China, but as the dispatch
was all in Chinese characters its grave portent
could not be ascertained. There was letter
from young lady Of Sacramento requesting
his autograph, as she was collecting the sigma
lures OF all famous people.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE DECEASED.
Joshua A. Norton was born in London, Eng
land, on the 4th day of February, 1917. He came
to San Francisco in November, 1s4s from VAL
paradise, Chile, where he arrived but short
time before from Cape Town, South Africa. He
is remembered by the early pioneers as having
sessing more than ordinary intelligence, fertile
OF resource and enterprising His business pur-
suits were varied, but it appears that his bust
ness career eliminated in grand effort to get
a "corner" on rice, which staple was, some four
teen or sixteen years ago. a favorite article for
speculation. He purchased all that was in the
city, and, as rumor has it, all that he could as
certain was in transit, paying large prices, with
view of controlling future market. OF Mac
ondray & Co. he bought large cargo, to arrive,
aree oSer that
he knew not of were reported in the mean
time, and upon the arrival OF Macon
dray cos cargo the market was so
protracted lawsuit followed, during which the
mania that he was emperor" first became
manifest. He said that he proposed to compro-
by marrying MI. Macondray's daughter and Ia
vestmg her with The royal title of Empress. His
Authorization was that he was Emperor of Cali
fornia and Protector OF Mexico. In accordance
with this belief his sole purpose in life was to
properly administer to mis- SUBJECTS and do
everything possible for the promotion OF pros
per1ty ard the advancement of his dOnin0nS.
His diplomatic relations with other countries
were not lost sight OF, and he prOited by closely
observing the progress or downfall OF other ma
TONS using their experience in his home policy
BY p.oclamations. which sometimes to humor
his whim were published in the city press, he
communicated to his subjects his fdelS Of pro-
gress and justice. He never failed to attach his
signature. with the imperial seal, Morton l.,
Emperor OF California 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 APPEARANCE.
He could be readily recognized by his dress, as
he paid no attention whatever to the varying
fashion. His coat was navy blue, cut in mill
taTy style and lavishly trimmed with brass but
tons. ON the shoulders were heavy epaulets,
usually tttIIllSleu Will eApOSufe ~ tne weather.
In his hat there always waved a plume of feath-
ers. He always wore button-hole flower. He
usually carried a cane which represented a
snake wound around a limb, of which he WAS
very proud. as he had frequently created
sensation in the houses OF legislature by setting
the rattle in motion.
He was good converSatiOnaliSt, and having
a free access to all the libraries and reading
rooms kept well posted on current topics lie
attended such of the tneaters as he pleased, and
journeyed by rail and other public conveyancaS
without expense. He was on familiar terms
with all officials, high and low, feeling TINT
they were merely his favored subjects. When
he wished money he would sign one of the i'm
perial drafts. and presenting IL to an acqualnt-
ance who humored his deluSion got 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 Emperor'S
scrip
No. 3043.-United States.-The Imperial Govern
ment of Norton /. promises to pay the holder hera-
of the of Fifty Cents in the year $780, with in
terest at per cent FER annum, from date the prin-
cpal and interest to be convertible at the option of
the holder, at maturity. into 20 years per cent.
Bonds. or payable in Gold Coin.
Given under our Royal hand and seal, this 9Th day
of January, 1880. NORTON l., Emperor.
FIVE-BY-NINE PALACE.
The Emperor had occupied room in the ELL
reka Lodging House, on Commercial street, for