Lola Montez "of Paris and Panama"

Among the many thousands of persons that passed over the Isthmus from all parts of the world in the mad rush for California, none attracted greater attention on the streets of Panama than Lola Montez, in the zenith of her world-wide fame, and owning to the distinction of being the most wonderful dancer of her day.

The fair Lola, known in private life as the Countess Landsfield, left Paris in December, 1851, on an American tour.  On the eve of her departure the Paris press said of her:

"Lola Montez is bidding us farewell, and leaves us for America.  Whoever ye be, young or old, rich or poor, it is impossible for you not to have heard of Mme. Comtesse Landsfield, the butterfly known as Lola Montez.  The laurels won by Fannie Essler and Jenny Lind has driven sleep from her eyes.  She too wishes to conquer, Farewell then, Mme. Comtesse, may America be propitious to you.  If a handful of adventurers under Cortez effected the conquest of Mexico, why should not Lola Montez triumph over the New World."

The writers in the Paris press in acknowledging her peculiar and fascinating beauty, said that dancing was not an art with her, but natural, like the singing of a bird.

In touring the United States, Lola caught the gold fever, and arrived on the isthmus on her way to California in May, 1853.  She appeared on the streets of Panama in men's clothes, and armed with a riding whip, presented a picturesque and striking figure.   On one occasion, a young man of the town had the temerity to pull the tail of her coat.  She turned upon him in terrible anger, and raising her whip struck the offender a sharp blow in the face which left its mark for many a day.

Love Me, Love My Dog.

While at Gorgona on her way across the Isthmus, she ordered the hotel keeper to fit up a cot in the room she had engaged for the night, for her dog, which was her inseparable companion.  The host remonstrated stating that all of his cots were occupied and that many of his guests had to content themselves with sleeping on the floor.  "I think Madame," he said, "that your dog can sleep very well for one night on the floor."  "Sir," replied the Countess, removing a Havana from her pretty lips, "I do not care where or how your guests sleep, but I would have you to know that my dog has slept in palaces.  Get me the cot immediately and say no more about it."  The now frightened hotel keeper obeyed, and the next morning charged five dollars in the bill for the dog's bed.  To this the Countess objected, and on the landlord insisting that the bill should be paid, she pulled out her pistol, and threatened to settle not only the bill, but the hotel keeper as well, for extortion.   There was no further argument.

A representative of the Panama Star interviewed the artiste on May 9, 1853, at the Cocoa Grove Hotel and wrote an account of it as follows:

"Instead of meeting a giantess in appearance, and a person of masculine manners as was expected, we were most agreeably surprised when on presentation to the Countess, to find her a lady of ordinary stature, and of rather delicate frame, possessing the most regular and handsome features, with a pair of brilliant and expressive eyes, and withal an exceedingly winning address.  We were still more surprised when on extending her hand, to find it so diminutive."

"During an hour's conversation with the Countess, we could observe no peculiarity about her, beyond what we would desire to see in any well educated woman, possessing a degree of assurance peculiar to people who have traveled much, thus enabling her to give expression to her thoughts without any of that simpering mock modesty which makes many people appear ridiculous."

"It was not until after dark, and as we were about to take our leave, that we had a fair opportunity to judge of the courageous daring of this remarkable woman.  One of the guests of the hotel who had been taking a walk about the grounds was attacked and an attempt made to shoot him.  Lola Montez immediately went to where it was going on and rendered what aid possible, returning with the guest to the house.  In all the excitement there was no desire to faint, or expression of fear on her part.  She cross-questioned the guest thoroughly, but the affair remained a mystery."

The stay of Lola Montez on the Isthmus was not of long duration, but she expressed great pleasure over her visit, and it was many a day before the memory of her and her queer attire was forgotten.

--Text From: Canal Zone Pilot, 1908
   Photo:  Collection of the Oakland Museum of CA

CZBrats
January 21, 2001

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