On this date in 1859, James A Norton, proclaimed himself, Norton I, Emperor of the United States, later amended by adding Protector of Mexico. There are all kinds of stories about where and when he was born, but he ended up in San Francisco, and the people loved him. He was prophetic and wise but he was crazy as a loon. The papers would print his proclamations. He dissolved the Congress and ordered them to meet with him in SF. When, surprise, no one showed, he ordered Gen Winfield Scott to go and remove them. Of course, this wasnt carried out. He made a decree that a bridge across the bay, and a tunnel beneath should be built immediately, which would eventually occur. He decreed that anyone calling his town Frisco would pay a $25 fine to the Imperial Treasury. He was allowed to dine where he pleased and never given a bill. Proprietors would put up brass plaques inscribed with By Appointment to his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Norton I of the United States. You didnt dare open a show or play without making sure he had balcony seats. He walked about town wearing an elaborate blue uniform, with gold-plated epaulets that some army officers from the Presidio had given him. He usually had a cane or an umbrella and topped it off with a beaver hat with a peacock feather and rosette attached. When his uniform became weathered, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors supplied him with a regal replacement. Ahhh, my kinda guy. Doesnt stick out in a crowd. He had a strange but efficient style of diplomacy. During anti-Chinese rioting, he stood between the two factions, head bowed, reciting the Lords Prayer over and over until the rioters dispersed. He would do inspections of the sidewalks, cable cars, the facades of government buildings and stand spouting philosophy to anyone within earshot. He was arrested by a policeman named Armand Barbier for treatment for a mental disorder. This pissed everyone off and the Police Chief Crowley let him go and thereafter he was saluted by passing policemen. The Emperor gave an Imperial Pardon to Officer Barbier. On a cold, drizzly January night, on his way to a lecture at The California Academy of Sciences, he collapsed on a corner and died. The next day on the front page the SF Chronicle had Le Roi Est Mort (The King is Dead). The Morning Call had, Norton The First by the grace of God Emperor of these United States and the Protector of Mexico, departed this life. He died near penniless and was going to get a paupers funeral in a plain wooden box, but a group of SF businessmen got together and provided a fancy rosewood casket and a dignified funeral. About 30,000 people lined the streets for his funeral. At the time, SFs population was around 230,000. He was buried at The Masonic Cemetery at the expense of The City of San Francisco. Deeeee-lightful character.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 16:01:04 +0000
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