Knots untied, or, Ways and by-ways in the hidden life of American detectives / By Officer George S. McWatters.

  • McWatters, George S.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Knots untied, or, Ways and by-ways in the hidden life of American detectives / By Officer George S. McWatters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    Mr. McWatters as Agent and Lecturer. It is not attempted here to give the current of Mr. McWatters' life as it occurred, in successive steps; indeed, the writer is not sure in respect to dates in all cases, pos- sessing only the facts in substance. But not long after Mr. McWatters' first engagement with Miss Keene was de- termined, he became the exhibiting lecturer accompanying a grand panorama of a Journey to California by Water and back by Land, and it is not difficult to conceive that with his experiences as a traveller, his residence in Cali- fornia, and his gifts as a public speaker, he made the Journey a matter of great delight to his audiences. The panorama was exhibited in the chief cities and towns of various States. Subsequently Mr. McWatters became the agent of the late Countess of Lansfeldt, more generally known as Lola Montez, which he continued to be until nearly the time of her death. Much has been written about Lola, — much which is false, as well as much which is true. She was, in some respects, particularly social ones, a great woman, but had her weaknesses, like other mortals. Lola, like many, was inclined to occasional religious fits ; and this fact suggests an incident worthy of recital, since it illus- trates something of the life of persons of much public note. Anecdote of Lola Montez and Laura Keene. Reference has been made to Mr. McWatters' association with Laura Keene. At a certain time Lola Montez became very religious, and continued so for a while. During her pious enthusiasm she determined to sell her theatrical wardrobe, consisting of splendid dresses, and dress-patterns (unmade-up), stage jewelry, of mp,gnificent description, etc. She requested Mr. McWatters to offer them for sale to Laura Keene. He. took some of the goods to Laura, whose purse at that time was rather limited. She could