WOMEN OF THE WEST' - Part 2

CRABTREE

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 2/15/2005 at 12:12:11

LOTTA CRABTREE

'Fairy Star Of The Mother Lode'
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A warm, lazy wind skirted across the green hills and picturesque ravines of
northern California on a sleepy summer day in 1853. The previous night's
scandalous activities were barely noticeable in the mining camp. Instead,
heavy scents of sage, scrub oak, and pine penetrated the valley, and the
occasional, everyday sounds of domesticated animals and camp gossip mingled
in the dry quiet. But today was to be different.

In the shade of the blacksmith shop, a small crowd of men, several women,
and some children had gathered. Dusty-booted and unwashed, the excited
49ers leaned on railings or against barn doors or trees, drinking and
cheering the tiny attraction that had suddenly changed their routine.

Perched atop an iron anvil, a pretty little red-haired 6-year-old was
dancing to the rhythm of clapping hands. Fine-featured, with sparkling
brown eyes, Lotta Mignon Crabtree kicked her tiny heels and flicked the hem
of her muslin skirts.

On the whim of her dancing teacher, a man called Bowers, these two unlikely
inhabitants of Grass Valley, California had journeyed three miles by
muleback to the wild mining camp of Rough and Ready. Named by Mexican War
veterans, now residents, the tent city drew its name from General Zachary
Taylor, "Old Rough and Ready." Much gold, including an eighteen-pound
nugget, had already been gleaned from its rich ground. But Bowers had other
ideas. He saw in the mining town the possibilities of finding extra cash as
well as undiscovered talent. He could build his wealth with his precocious
students.

In those days, a town played host to many small stock companies, including
Fairy Stars (singing and dancing children) and one-man entertainers. Child
actors roamed the Sierras in profusion. All of these people beat their way
through the hazardous gold country, sometimes facing peril. And although
the leap from star pupil to Fairy Star was limited to a few talented youths,
the rewards were tempting enough to make them try. Girls were especially in
demand. Their very presence in the isolated camps was enough to bring tears
to the eyes of the lonely miners, most of whom had left their families far
away in the east. Remembering their own children and the joys of parenthood
made the audience hospitable and more supportive. Today was no exception.

Lotta continued to dance about the anvil surface, smiling brightly and
bouncing mimicking the traveling performers she had seen in San Francisco.
It was there that she and her mother, Mary Ann Crabtree, had been infected
with the charm and abundant spirit of actors and actresses. Though she was
but 6 years old, Lotta Crabtree had shown early talent and a desire to
perform.

To Be Continued . . . Life For Lotta.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
January 31, 2005
iggy29@rnetinc.net