National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-11
1.-THE DANCE OF DEATH"
who Was the Real Author of the Literary
Sensation?

WHO Ne as the ESesll AutnGr Oh lHe
Sensation?
The san Francisco Sunday Chronicle, in
Giving biographical sketches of California authors
speaks of T. A. HarcOurt as having written 1.-THE
Dance of Death in thirty eight hours. Three
men have been credited with having written the
book-Rulofson the photographer; J. Bigelow, and
Harcourt, RulofSon's son-in-law. Shortly before
Rulofsons death the writer called upon him at his
gallery in San Francisco. The conversation turned
upon the book, and Rulofson seemed anxious to
know how il was looked upon in Nevada.
DO people read it because they think its pages
suggestive or because they think am in earnest"
When he was told that it was read for the first
reason suggested, he seemed angry that such was
the case He then led the way into a little room,
and gave the following history of the work:
People think that l wrote this book simply to
make Il sensation and some money. l never was
more in earnest in my life. When young man
lived in New York State was engaged to be
married. l had never seen bali in my life, but
one night 1 heard some music in hall and
strolled in. About the first thing saw was my
atianced swinging around the room in the arms of
man whom she had probably never met before,
and who would have never been permitted to set
foot in her fathers house. said nothing but left
the room, and before midnight had sold 5000
worth Photographic material for $780, and in the
morning left the town. A few years afterward l
married another girl and came to California. My
vile and lived in a cabin which had no floor ex-
ccpt the ground. One New Years eve the citizens
OF The town got up ball was asked to contribute
and refused, telling my reasons. The people
thought me Stngy, and said that forced my wife
to remain away. The fact of the matter was she
had no clothes for ball. Well, the ball came off
and ended in a stabbing ARRAY, one man killing
another whom he found Waltzng with his wife. l
described the incident in the book. One of the
musicians got drunk, and, falling into the river,
was drowned. From that time fought dancing
and made many enemies. 1 met an Episcopal
clergyman who held the same views Together
we wrote the book. This was twenty years ago.
kept the manuscript several years. revising it
from time 10 time, when my house burned and
the manuscript with il. For ten years have been
working on the book, and the more l saw of
dancing the stronger wanted TO make the book.
l wrote and rewrOtc it, and at last gave it to the
publisher. l have shown society what loathsome
ulcer testers in its midst. l shall write another
book soon, showing the remedy. twill be stronger
than the Dance of Death. Twill talk palmer and
the public viii profess to be Mortified but they VIII
not be, all the same
A few weeks after this conversation RulofSOn
fell from the roof Of his gallery and was killed.
He was hardly the man to have related so circum-
stantially the history of the book unless he was
telling the truth. The book bears the marks of
careful work and elaborate study, not a book to
be dashed of in thirty-eight hours by even as
clever writer as Mr.. Harcourt, although persons
familiar with Harcourts pronounced and original
style claim that they can detect his handiwork in
the book. No doubt he assisted Rulofson in the
revision and wrote some of the striking passages
Carson (NcU) Appeal