June 7, 2006

Food & History

Jeff Cheek

Josh Norton; American Emperor

By Jeff Cheek
Tidings Correspondent

Texans brag that their state was an independent republic for nine years, l836 to l845. Some California history buffs scoff at this claim, pointing out that their state was an empire for 2l years— l859 to ‘80— ruled by His Imperial Majesty Norton I.

The beloved emperor was actually an English Jew, Joshua Abraham Norton, born in London in l8l9. His story epitomizes the sense of playfulness that marks the city of San Francisco to this day.

Norton was either delusional after going bankrupt, or a superb con man. He lived royally for two decades on the generosity of his admirers, then was given a regal funeral. Flags flew at half-mast. Newspaper headlines read: “Le Roi Est Mort” (“The King Is Dead”). Mark Twain used Emperor Norton as his model for the king when he wrote “The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn.”

Failed speculator

Joshua Norton had been a prosperous merchant in San Francisco. He lost everything when he tried to corner the rice market by contracting to buy a newly arrived shipload of rice at l2 cents per pound. A few days later, four grain-filled ships sailed in from Peru, and the price of rice plunged to three cents a pound. It was not unheard of for speculators to kill themselves after meeting such a fate.

But Norton’s “madness” drove him in another direction.

On Sept. l7, l859 a regal figure dressed on a blue uniform with golden epaulettes, a purple sash and carrying a sword swept into the offices of the San Francisco Bulletin. He ordered the surprised newspaper staffers to print the following proclamation:

“At the peremptory request and desire of a large majority of the citizens ... I, Joshua A. Norton, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United States.” He signed it, “Norton l, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.”

Gaudy uniforms

Other cities would have locked him up. Not freewheeling San Francisco. The people embraced their colorful, eccentric ruler. When His Majesty was refused a million-dollar bank loan, he bypassed the financial world that had ruined him by printing his own currency, bearing his likeness, in l0, 25 and 50-cent denominations.

Friendly tailors provided an endless supply of gaudy uniforms without charge. The Emperor had a front row seat at every theatrical production. Norton even had an honorary seat in the state Senate, but was not permitted to vote. That was only proper. Emperors rule, they do not cast ballots.

When a rookie policeman arrested him for lunacy, the judge scolded the cop: “Norton has shed no blood, robbed no one, and despoiled no country, which is more than can be said for most kings.”

Brilliant decrees

Was Joshua crazy, or was it fake madness? Nobody knows, but Emperor Norton I promulgated a number of brilliant decrees. As Emperor, he ordered the state to build a bridge across the bay to connect San Francisco with Marin County. The Golden Gate Bridge was finally built in l937.

Norton also believed religious denominations were a curse that polarizes and divides us. Believing that faith should unite and strengthen a society, he issued a decree abolishing all religions and ordering his subjects to unite under one simple, God-based faith.

Norton I died on January 8, l880. Thirty thousand of his loyal subjects attended his funeral. It is somehow fitting that there was a solar eclipse that day. They laid him to rest in the Masonic cemetery under a headstone which read:

“Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico Joshua A. Norton, l8l9-l880.” In 1934, he was reburied in the Woodlawn cemetery in Colma, south of the city. A century after Norton’s death, celebrations were held in his honor by the people of San Francisco.

Sorry, there is no space for a recipe this week.