———. ed. The Victoria Woodhull Reader. Weston, Mass.: M&S Press, 1974.
Stinchcombe, Owen. American Lady of the Manor, Bredon’s Norton: The Later Life of Victoria Woodhull Martin, 1901–1927. unpublished manuscript.
Stoehr, Taylor, ed. Free Love in America: A Documentary History. New York: AMS Press, 1979.
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. My Wife and I: or Henry Henderson’s History. New York: J. B. Ford, 1871.
Strong, George Templeton. The Diary of George Templeton Strong (1820–1875). Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1988 (original, 1952).
Sutherland, Daniel E. The Expansion of Everyday Life, 1860–1876. New York: Harper & Row, 1989.
Swanberg, W. A. Jim Fisk: The Career of an Improbable Rascal. New York: Scribner’s, 1959.
The Talebearer: How Scandals Are Spread, How Press Libels Are Written. London, 1890.
Tilton, Theodore. “Biography of Victoria Claflin Woodhull.” The Golden Age tract no. 3. New York, 1871.
———. Complete Poetical Works. Paris: Brentano, 1897.
Train, George Francis. My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands, Dictated in My Seventy-fourth Year. New York: D. Appleton, 1902.
Treat, Joseph. Beecher, Tilton, Woodhull, the Creation of Society: All Four of Them Exposed, and if Possible Reformed, and Forgiven, in Dr. Treat’s Celebrated Letter to Victoria C. Woodhull. New York, 1874.
Underhill, Lois Beachy. The Woman Who Ran for President: The Many Lives of Victoria Woodhull. Bridgehampton, N.Y.: Bridge Works, 1995.
Vanderbilt, Arthur T., II. Fortune’s Children: The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt. New York: William Morrow, 1989.
Van Every, Edward. Sins of New York as “Exposed” by the Police Gazette. New York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1930.
Walker, Robert Harris. Everyday Life in the Age of Enterprise, 1860–1900. New York: Putnam, 1967.
Waller, Altina L. Reverend Beecher and Mrs. Tilton: Sex and Class in Victorian America. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1982.
Wheeler, Marjorie Spruill, ed. One Woman, One Vote: Rediscovering the Woman Suffrage Movement. Troutdale, Ore.: New Sage Press, 1995.
Wight, Charles Henry. Genealogy of the Claflin Family. n.p., 1903. (Homer Historical Society)
Woodhull, Victoria C. A Lecture on Constitutional Equality. New York: Journeymen Printers’ Cooperative Association, 1871.
———. A Speech on the Garden of Eden: or, Paradise Lost and Found. New York, 1876.
Woodhull, Zula Maud. The Proposal: A Dialogue. London, 1881.
Woodhull-Martin, Victoria C. Autobiography of Victoria Chaflin [sic] Woodhull. London, 1895. (Holland-Martin Family Archives)
———. The Rapid Multiplication of the Unfit. London and New York, 1891.
———. Stirpiculture; or, The Scientific Propagation of the Human Race. London, 1888.
Wright, Louis B. and Elaine W. Fowler. Everyday Life in the New Nation: 1787–1860. New York: Putnam, 1972.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A book-length project can be a long and lonely endeavor during which, at around page 150 in the dead of night, the writer begins to wonder whether there is a world out there and whether anyone in it is interested in the words being committed to paper. I am happy to say that was not my experience in this project. At every turn of the page, I had the great fortune to work with people who not only shared my enthusiasm for Victoria Woodhull but who enriched my life and, by extension, this book.
I could not have pursued Victoria’s half century in Great Britain without the help of Robin Holland-Martin, who generously and patiently allowed me to search his family’s archives. His guidance and assistance throughout this project were invaluable. He is also responsible for introducing me to a writer named Owen Stinchcombe, without whom I could not have written the book that I have. Owen has painstakingly researched Victoria’s years in Bredon’s Norton and his book American Lady of the Manor is the first in-depth study of Victoria’s 1901–27 period. After a brief meeting in Tewkesbury, he sent me a letter making an offer I couldn’t refuse—access to his material. Since then, he has not only provided me with a treasure trove of information but has also exchanged ideas and offered his expert advice. I feel privileged to have had such a wonderful collaborator.
Like Robin Holland-Martin, Owen Stinchcombe introduced me to another person who would become key to the success of this project, Beata Duncan. Beata has been a prime investigator in London, spending days at the British Museum, touring London’s courts, and combing through the British Newspaper Library for tidbits on Victoria. She was diligent in her approach and her work was exceptional. I would also be remiss if I neglected to thank the staff of the British Museum Central Archives—Janet Wallace, Christopher Date, and Stephen Corri—who not only generously shared their facility with me while I was in London researching Victoria but also gave Beata Duncan access to hundreds of pages of archival material. Both Beata and I thank them for their great patience and help.
Finally, I would like to thank Richard St. Aubrey Davies for inviting me into his home, Norton Park, so that I could see firsthand the inscriptions that Victoria left above doorways and the paths that she roamed in her final years. He has restored Norton Park so beautifully, a visitor half expects to find Victoria seated at her desk in the sunlight of the study.
In the United States, I had help on this project from both friends and strangers who became friends. In Washington, D.C., there would have been no book if Ron Goldfarb had not performed his magic and found a publisher who was interested in a Victoria Woodhull biography. As usual, he not only worked hard to get this project into print but, along with Nina Graybill, helped shape the concept into a salable item.
I have at least two reasons to thank Shannon Ravenel at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. First, for expressing interest in this book and, second, for assigning Memsy Price as editor on the project. Without exception, Memsy’s criticisms were well founded, her suggestions appropriate, and her comments enlightening. And in addition to all of that, she made what could have been a grim editing process fun.
My sincere thanks also to Suzanne Wagner for her careful review of the manuscript and to Dana Stamey, Algonquin’s managing editor, for shepherding this project through to completion.
In New York, several people were key to this project’s success. By a wonderful twist of fate, I made the acquaintance of Bryan Bantry, who, as a longtime Victoria Woodhull enthusiast, has offered moral support, assistance, and sustenance (cashmere, caviar, and cookies) throughout this project. I can’t begin to adequately express my appreciation for his help. Margaret Tamulonis and Wendy Haynes at the New-York Historical Society have come to my rescue on numerous occasions in my pursuit of images. And Sal Alberti generously offered pieces from his and James Lowe’s magnificent photo and manuscript collection for this work, allowing me to present images of Victoria that have not been previously published.
In Boston, I had help from Dr. Laura Monti and her expert staff in the Boston Public Library’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Division. In Carbondale, Illinois, Karen Drickamer and the staff at Southern Illinois University were most generous with their time and assistance. And in Homer, Ohio, Bea and Joe Berg not only opened the files of the Homer Historical Society to a stranger who appeared without notice on their doorstep, but they fed her and took her on a tour of the town as well. They are the keepers of the flame in Homer. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution that Lois Beachy Underhill has made to the study of Victoria Woodhull. Her excellent Woodhull research has paved the way for future writers to better understand this extraordinary character.
Finally, I would like to thank Steve Ginsburg and Reuters for allowing me to take time off to research this project. I thank my friends and family, especially my mother, for their patience while I neglected them to pursue this book. I thank Lizzy for listening, Clodagh for her prayers, and Rosie for her couch. To John, I say thank you for all of the above and much more.
INDEX
&
nbsp; A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
A
Academy of Music, 227
Albany Times, The, 131
Albert Hall, 298
Alexandra House, 259
Alley, George B., 47
Alwato, 62, 125
Amadie, Mme., 155
American Association for the Advancement of Science, 259
American Association of Spiritualists, 131, 178–79, 214–18
American House, 10
American Woman’s Suffrage Association (AWSA), 152
formation of, 60
Anderson, Albert, 187
Andrews, Stephen Pearl, 68, 94, 114
Beecher and, 66–67, 192
described, 62–63, 246
free love and, 96, 97, 100, 113, 253
IWA and, 123, 125
Rossel funeral marches and, 153, 154
scandal issue and, 192–93
W & C’s Weekly and, 62–67, 82
Anthony Susan B., 3, 4, 45, 54, 59, 91, 164, 189
biography of, 169
death of, 297–98
described, 79–80
illustrated, 85
schism in women’s rights movement and, 37–38, 60, 61
splits from Victoria, 168–69
supports Victoria, 158–59
Victoria’s Congressional address and, 74–81
Apollo Hall, 168, 170–72
Arcade Railway, 44
Ashley, O. D., 47
Associated Press, 233
Astor, John Jacob, 161–62, 259
B
Bacon, Reverend Leonard, 230–31
Banks, T. H., 154
Barnum, P. T., 11
Barrett, Judge, 206
Basic Outline of Universology, The (Andrews), 192
Baylis, Abram B., 47
Beaufort, Duke of, 293
Beecham, Lady Utica Celeste, 298
Beecher, Catharine, 53, 83, 106
attacks Victoria, 107–109, 135
Beecher, Eunice, 107, 237
Beecher, Henry Ward, 59, 60, 61, 92, 133
affair with Elizabeth Tilton, see Beecher-Tilton scandal
Andrews and, 66–67
as a coward, 139–42, 145, 183
death of, 297
described, 106–107
illustrated, 199
significance of, to Brooklyn, 116–17
triumphs of, 178
Victoria seeks help from, 176–77
Beecher, Lyman, 106
Beecher, Tilton, and Woodhull, the Creation of Society
All Four of Them Exposed, and if Possible Reformed, and Forgiven, in Dr. Treat’s Celebrated Letter to Victoria C. Woodhull, 233–34
Beecher family, 37, 74, 99
Victoria and, 105–109, 116–18, 133, 140
Beecher-Tilton scandal, 107–109, 114–18, 230–39
Martin v. British Museum and, 268–76
Mr. Tilton’s lawsuit against Beecher, 233
Victoria’s documents and, 237–39
Mrs. Tilton and:
admission by, 250
denial by, 232
Plymouth Church and, 117, 187, 190–91, 204
Bowen’s accusation and, 250
documentary evidence and, 210–12
investigation into, 229, 231–33
Mr. Tilton’s expulsion from, 230–31
panel’s conclusion, 232–33
payoffs to Victoria and, 229
recounting of, 107, 184
re-eruption of, 250
Stowe and, 198, 200
Train and, 189–90
tripartite agreement over, 206
Victoria’s exposé of, 179, 183–84
see also Woodhull & Claflin’s Weekly scandal issue
Beecher Tilton Scandal, A Complete History of the Case from Nov. 2, 1872 to the Present, The, 268–76
Beekman, Wm. B., 47
“beleaguered workers” speech, 219–21
Bend, George H., 47
Benjamin, Judah P., 297
Bennett, James Gordon, 58
Bennett, James Gordon, Jr., 58, 88–89
Berlin Heights, 30, 205
Bingham, Senator John, 73, 82
Black Friday, 40
Blackwell, Henry, 37, 59
Blake, James, 52
Blatchford, Judge, 187, 206, 211–12
Blood, Colonel James Harvey, 36, 82, 110, 123, 127, 153, 165, 176, 239
Beecher-Tilton scandal and, 188, 194, 195, 201–202, 203, 246
death of, 261–62
death of Dr. Woodhull and, 166
described, 22–23
divorce from Victoria, 242, 253, 254
first wife of, 200
illustrated, 24
lawsuit against, 99–105, 113
new thinking and, 30, 84
as propagandist, 39, 222
Rossel funeral marches and, 153, 154
spiritualism and, 23, 130
W & C’s Weekly and, 59, 61, 63
Blood, S. J., 47
Bloodgood, John, 47
Bloomer, Amelia, 204
Bonaparte, Prince Roland, 293
Bonner, George T., 47
Bonner, John, 47
Bortels, John, 45
“Bosses International,” 174
Boston Music Hall, 198
Bostwick, H. A., 47
Bouguereau, William, 42
Bowen, Henry, 114
Beecher-Tilton scandal and, 117, 187, 201, 230, 250
documentary evidence of, 210–12
criticism of Victoria by, 118–19, 150
Boyde, James, 47
Bradley, Edith, 291
Brandon, Edward, 47
Bredon’s Norton, England, 287–301
agricultural school in, 291–92
attempt to modernize, 289–90
automobiles and, 290–91
“fairy godmother” of, 295, 300
Froebel School in, 293, 295
Manor House Club in, 292–93
mansion in, 286–90
World War I and, 296
British Museum, lawsuit against, 268–76
Brooke, Charles, 211
Challis libel case and, 225–29
Brooker, Thomas, 32
Brooker, Utica, 10, 32, 234
death of, 212–13
described, 20
Dr. Woodhull’s death and, 165
“Social Freedom” speech and, 147–48
Brooklyn Eagle, The, 58, 232
Brooklyn Union, The, 58, 117
Brown, Rev. Olympia, 75
Bryant, William Cullen, 58
Bullard, Laura Curtis, 59
Bunnell’s Museum, 166
Butler, Benjamin, 83, 123
described, 68–69
politics and, 68–70, 113, 172
Victoria’s Congressional address and, 76, 78, 82
“Butlerism,” 68
Byrnes, Captain Thomas F., 259
IWA march and, 151–52, 259
as persecutor of Victoria, 259, 261, 262–63
C
Canary Islands, 281–84
Carlyon, Mabel, 291
Carnegie Hall, 267
Carter, Judge, 171
Catholicism, 236
Challis, Luther, 192
accusations against, 184
described, 194
libel lawsuit of, 188, 194–95, 203, 204, 206, 210
trial, 225–28
Charlick, Oliver, 48
Cheltenham Looker-On, The, 292
Chicago Times, 231
Chicago Tribune, 209, 216
children, 214–15, 278–79
Bredon’s Norton Froebel School, 293, 295
Children’s Harvest Home, 296
Chretien, Mme., 155
Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess, 293
Christian Union, The, 59, 92–93, 105, 107, 116, 133
Beecher-Tilton scandal and, 190
Churchill, W
inston, 256
Civil War, 19–20, 22, 23, 25, 37, 105, 158, 242
“Civil War in France, The,” 125
Claflin, H. B., 210–11
Claflin, Reuben Buckman “Buck,” 40, 247, 255
Beecher-Tilton scandal and, 194, 195, 246
death of, 258
as shady character, 7–11, 20, 22, 51
Vanderbilt and, 33–34
Claflin, Roxanna Hummel “Anna,” 8, 292
lawsuit against Colonel Blood, 99–105
Claflin, Tennessee (Tennie C.):
attempts to vote, 136–38
Beecher and, see Beecher-Tilton scandal
birth of, 10
congressional bid of, 127–29
court case against, 52–53
death of, 298
described, 21, 42–43, 75, 102, 170
Herald interview with, 42–44, 51–52
illustrated, 35, 49, 207
last years of, 298
as leader of the Veteran Guards, 175–76
as lobbyist, 73, 81
marriage of, 45, 257–58
blackmailers and, 259, 261
title of Lady Cook, 259
names of, 42, 258
Rossel funeral marches and, 153–56
spiritualism and, 11, 16
as child medium, 18
Cook’s late wife and, 258
as healer, 52
laying on of hands, 20, 34
mother’s lawsuit against Blood and, 102, 104
as stockbroker, see Woodhull, Claflin & Co.
Vanderbilt and, 34, 36, 40, 165, 257
will of, 245–47
W & C’s Weekly and, 61–62
Claflin family, 10, 11, 20, 32, 51, 195, 212, 287
lecture circuit and, 222
in London, 251, 258
as spongers, 18, 102, 104, 110
Treat pamphlet and, 234
Clark, Edward H. G., 205
Clews, Henry, 189
Cogswell, Anna, 16
Colfax, Marshal, 186
Committee for the Suppression of Vice, 185
Communism, 105, 123–25, 221
Rossel funeral marches and, 151–56
Communist Manifesto (Marx), 3, 156
Comstock, Anthony, 189
arrest of sisters and, 201–203, 206, 211
Challis libel case and, 225–26
described, 185
obscenity bounty and, 195
Congress, U.S., 158
petition to, 235
Victoria’s address to, 69–87, 159, 169, 200, 264
Congressional Globe, 69
Constant, Mme., 155
Cook, Francis, 257–58