Newsletter Lite Page 2
Fort Worth Scottish Rite
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
| Stated Meetings - Third Thursday |
THE MAD EMPEROR
Joshua Norton was born in England on February, 1819. He engaged in a number
of business enterprises in Africa and migrated to San Francisco in 1849.
He immediately entered the real estate business and accumulated considerable
wealth. When he tried to corner the rice market, he lost the entire fortune.
In order to cheer him up, his friends stated to call him "Emperor."
On September 15, 1859, he proclaimed himself Emperor of the United States. He
donned a blue uniform with brass buttons, epaulets, and a military cap. Instead
of having his head examined, everyone humored him because of his pleasant
and cheerful disposition. He rode the street cars free, attended theaters
without charge, and was supplied with the necessities of life by those around
him. When he ran short of cash, he issued drafts on the Imperial Treasury. He
issued Royal Proclamations designed to better the human race.
On Sunday he always attended a church; he had no favorites and visited them
all. Merchants and financiers consulted him on business matters and he
apparently gave sound advice on these matters.
He was a member of Occidental Lodge of San Francisco and for a time lived in
the Masonic Temple and issued some of his proclamations from there.
He was given a Masonic funeral when he passed away on January 8, 1889.
Fifty-four years later his grave was moved and a monument was erected over
his new grave.
>Page 3
Joshua Norton was born in England on February, 1819. He engaged in a number
of business enterprises in Africa and migrated to San Francisco in 1849.
He immediately entered the real estate business and accumulated considerable
wealth. When he tried to corner the rice market, he lost the entire fortune.
In order to cheer him up, his friends stated to call him "Emperor."
On September 15, 1859, he proclaimed himself Emperor of the United States. He
donned a blue uniform with brass buttons, epaulets, and a military cap. Instead
of having his head examined, everyone humored him because of his pleasant
and cheerful disposition. He rode the street cars free, attended theaters
without charge, and was supplied with the necessities of life by those around
him. When he ran short of cash, he issued drafts on the Imperial Treasury. He
issued Royal Proclamations designed to better the human race.
On Sunday he always attended a church; he had no favorites and visited them
all. Merchants and financiers consulted him on business matters and he
apparently gave sound advice on these matters.
He was a member of Occidental Lodge of San Francisco and for a time lived in
the Masonic Temple and issued some of his proclamations from there.
He was given a Masonic funeral when he passed away on January 8, 1889.
Fifty-four years later his grave was moved and a monument was erected over
his new grave.
>Page 3
