West Branch Times, West Branch, Iowa, Thursday, April 19, 1923
Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, July 17, 2018

ROCHESTER LEGEND STILL PERSISTENT
Iowa People Refuse to Give Up Belief That Bernhardt Was Native of Cedar County Village

     Des Moines Register: Iowa’s legend of Sarah Bernhardt has strengthened since her death.

     Rochester, Ia., believed by residents to be the birthplace of the “Divine Sarah” finds proof for its belief in the famous actress’ choice of burial place. The island chosen by Madame Bernhardt as her final resting place, is said to resemble in detail the grave, but lies in a public cemetery which is on a bluff overlooking the Cedar river.

     The fact that Bernhardt could not be buried in her selected grave but lies in a public cemetery of Paris, adds to the romance of the tale.

     Folks around Rochester point to the fact that there is a vacant plot beside the small stone there where Mary King, believed to be Bernhardt’s mother, is buried.

     This Mary King died in Rochester in 1851. Her little daughter named Sarah King grew up there and lived with relatives of the Finefield family. Many of the Finefields are now living near Rochester. When Sarah was about sixteen years old she left her relatives to travel with an “Uncle Tom’s cabin” company, playing “Little Eva.”

     Some time later the identity of little Sarah King and the great Bernhardt was established to the satisfaction of the Finefields. Numerous instances of striving to see the French actress and gain recognition from her only strengthened the story.

     Rochester was the first town settled in Cedar county and a visit today cannot even suggest the thriving condition of the place fifty years ago.

     The old Rochester cemetery is on a high bluff facing the cemetery. The road up the hill is difficult to travel. It is the oldest corner of the burying grounds where you find the grave of Mary King. There in a high, bleak place, is a vacant space beside the old stone marker erected in 1851.

     The Rochester cemetery is believed to be exactly similar in appearance to the place which Sarah Bernhardt chose before her death as her final resting place.

     The most striking part of the Bernhardt legend is the story of her visit to the Rochester cemetery ten years ago, when she was touring the country and played in several Iowa cities.

     It is said that a great touring car drove into Rochester in the dead of the night and that the actress herself, heavily swathed in veils and thick wraps, visited the grave of Mary King and placed wonderful flowers upon it. Many swear to the truth of this story and vouch they saw the flowers next morning.

     All records of Bernhardt’s early life and birthplace are said to be destroyed.