The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-25
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
"a METEOR OF OLD NEW YORK"
Tho True story OF tho Death OF tho Famous
Lola nontez.

Tho True story or tho Death OF the Famous
Lola Montcz.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir. In Sun
days Sun the writer of n story relating to the
once world-famod Lola Montcz declared that
Mile. Montez died in n private sanitarium at
Astoria" This Is an error which appears in
noarly all the cyclopGdins and reference books.
KNEW Lola Montoz personally during nearly
her entire residence in America. She did not
die in "penury" nor In a tenement" house.
Bishop Horntio Potter of New York city and the
eminent Rev. DR.. Francis l.. Hawks of Calvary
Z. E. Church placed Lola Montcz in n flrst-class
boarding house on West Seventeenth street, be-
tween Seventh and Eighth avenues, at that timo
o nne residential section. These noted chuTch-
men frequently called on Lola, prayed with hor
and read the Scriptures to her. all at her request,
during her last illness of five weeks, and in that
house she died; Tho following record, tran.
city, bears out my statements:
Eliza Gilbert, died Jan. II. 1891, aged az years;
widow. Born in Llmcrlcs, Ireland, Place OF death.
as Lola MonteE.'
When we examined her effects wo found
Sl,2i7 to hor credit In two New York city
savings banks, and tho money was used to pay
her physician and the undertaken, and to pro.
vide q burial plot in Summit Ridge, Greenwood
Cemetery. Hrooklyn, where friends erected AN
Italian marble slab over her remains, inscribed
as follows: Mrs. Eliza Gilbert: died Jan. II.
Nine: Adelaide Ris,orI, the tragic actress, and
Sarah Bernhard have both visited her Green.
wood grave and placed flowers on the mound
under which she, SO peacefully rests.
Lola Montez's last words were: Tell me, tell
titled Tho story Of a Penitont. Lola Monte"
was not "a catchpcnny story. as your CORE
s%p.ondent declares Il was issued by the Prot;
Evansscilcsi knowiedsSs," thon located in the
Bible House; and the little brochure was written
Episcopal Quarterly herioT.
In the underground vaults of the Calvary Epis-
GGopal c Church GnG McT YORK; may b found to This
pr. Hawks, once SO distinguished in the religious
was recently privately printed for the members
of that church, and has never appeared in any
newspaper in this city or elsewhere.
AS THE SUN is widely read by searchers after
historical truths, l beg to send you this corrcc-
BROOKLYN, April 10.
rarV Protestant Episropqi Church, Ncic
Hork CIV. 5y Rcr; Francis Lister Harks,
TRANSCRIBED ny SPECIAL PERMISSION OF THE
REV. uESkY YATES ~sATrERLEE, d. D., REC
~ LOLA MONTH";.
1t was in the latter part Of tho year 1860 that
l received a message from the unhappy woman
so wei! known to the public under the name OF
Lola Montez, earnestly requesting of me to visit
her as q Clergyman and minister to her spiritual
wants. She had been smitten down by paralysis
scious, and her death seemed TO be at hand. She
had, however, rallied. and IA most benevolent.
Christian female, who had been her schoolmnte in
Scotland, in tho days of %Girlhood, and knew her
well. had stepped forward and provided for the
temporal comfort OF the afflicted companion OF
her childhood. The real name of Lola Montez
was Eliza Gilbert, and she was of reputable fam
lily in ireland, where she was born.
L, OF course, complied with her request to visit
ner, anu SAW her, from time 10 time. until she
died, always in company with the excellent
woman above alluded to and in the presence of
Q word Of this statement had ! not deemed it a
duty TO bear witness TO tho mighty power of
who had been a great sinner.
In the course OF a long experience as n Christian
tence and humility. more real contrition OF soul.
and more OF bitter sclf-rcproach than in this
poor woman. Anxious to probo her heart to the
bottom. ] questioned her in various forms. spoke
as plainly as l could Of the qualities of genuine
repentance, set forth the necessity of the opera
lions Of the Holy Spirit really oconvert from sin
to holiness, and presented Christ rs all in all
the only Saviour. For myself, l became quite
ean juSr;. a4 Goa am ib heM Ho lHa Gba as ff bn a. r p9oT m9r nSr
poor sinful soul unto holiness. l think she had
been taught from on high; by a blessed expert.
confident b~oasting, however. | never saw n more
hGinhle p%eniient; nor one more overwhelmed
.ouid. save such a sinner as she felt herself to
have been. When | prayed with her nothing
cOulu exceed the fcrvOr OF her devotion, and
never bad l a more watChful and attentive
nearer when | read the Scriptures. She read
the blessed volume for herself also when ! was
not present: 1t was always within reach
OF her hand; and on my first visit. when
j took up her Bible from tho table. tho fact
struck me that it opened OF its own accord to
the touching story OF Christ's forgiveness of tho
Magdalene in the house OF Simon. spoke 10
her OF Christ's gentle pity and pardon to this
poor woman. "Ah!" she replied. but she
loved muCh-can l love enough T. II ever a re-
pentant soul lOathed past sin, | believe hers did:
II ever n renewed soul prayed fcrvcntly for the
help OF the Holy Spirit to Keep her from ali sin,
for Christs dear sake. ! think hers did.
She was a woman of genius, highly accom-
plished. of more than usual attainmcnts, and OF
great natural eloquence. listened to her some
times with admiration. as. with the tears stream
ing from her eyes. her right hand upliftcd. and
her singularly expressive features thcr keen black
eye especially speaking almost as plainly
as her tongue, she would dwell upon
Christ and tho almost Incredible truth
that He could show mercy to such n
vile sinner as she felt herself to have been,
until l would feel that she was the preacher and
not ]. When she was near her end and could
not speak. ! asked her to let me know by a sign
whether her soul was mt peace and she still felt
that Christ world save her. She fixed her eyes
on mine and notlcd her head afirmativcly.
thank God that l can believe she found forgive
ness through the precious blood of Christ, and
that her departed spirit rests in comfort in tho
paradise of God. +. l.. HAWKS.
IAN "a 1871