Document text
--> --> Oct. 2: The scandalous Victoria Woodhull By Jeff Cheek Our country has produced a number of colorful ladies, like "Calamity Jane" and Carry Nation, but no one made a longer journey than Victoria Woodhull who went from the wrong side of the tracks to the heights of British society. She was born into an alcoholic family in Homer, Ohio, September 23, 1839. Her father was a carnival barker. Her mother worked the crowds as a pickpocket. When Victoria was about ten, her parents taught her a few tricks and she joined the carnival as a psychic and fortune-teller. Later, Tennessee, her younger sister, joined the act. The sisters now were mediums, conducting seances for the gullible. At 15, Victoria escaped by marrying an alcoholic doctor named Woodhull, but soon divorced him. She and Tennessee arrived in New York in 1868. Cornelius Vanderbilt attended one of their seances. He was impressed! If she contacted the spirits of the dead, they could tell him which stocks to buy. He helped her establish the brokerage firm of Woodhull and Claflin. It is questionable whether the spirits guided her, but she was a gifted businesswoman, and her advice was excellent. Vanderbilt told his other brokers to "Clear everything with Mrs. Woodhull." In 1870, she started a magazine, "Woodhull and Claflin's Journal." It was a radical publication, demanding equal rights for women. She also published an exposé other papers dared not handle: The great Abolitionist leader, the saintly Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, had had an affair with one of his parishioners. Victoria did not decry the act; in fact she believed that sex was a normal biological urge and it was unhealthy to suppress it. But she objected to the hypocrisy of Reverend Beecher. She espoused other radical ideas: Women should wear loose clothing as corsets prevented internal organs from working properly. Other recommendations: Drink two pints of water per day, walk three miles, eat whole grain foods like graham crackers, and limit consumption of meats by substituting more fruits and vegetables. In 1872 she founded the Equal Rights Party and in 1876 was nominated for president. Her running mate was the former slave, Frederick Douglas. Her campaign pledge was short, clear and succinct: "Free love and nickel beer." Over eight million ballots were cast. She received only 50,000 votes. Cornelius Vanderbilt died in 1877. His family had never approved of his association with the radical lady. They gave her a fortune, reported to be a million dollars (about 20 million today) with the stipulation that she settle in England. Victoria sold her firm and left for Europe. She married John Biddulph Martin, and English banker and socialite. Her sister married Lord Cook, and gained the rather awkward title of Lady Tennessee Cook. In England, Victoria continued to write and lecture on food and diets. Thanks to her, graham crackers became a popular snack in Great Britain. She died at her country estate in Tewkesbury, Gloustershire, England on June 9, 1927, at age 88. The cream of English society attended the funeral of the girl who started from the wrong side of the tracks. Your kids will love Graham Cracker Banana S'mores. INGREDIENTS: 1 ripe banana, mashed 3 graham crackers 2 marshmallows PREPARATION: Toast marshmallows, spread on cracker, cover with second cracker. Spread mashed banana on middle cracker, cover with third for a two-tier sandwich. Serve. Jeff Cheek lives in Medford. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing