Person:Carlo Murat (1)

Newspaper articles

Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug 1888

A few days ago a common, everyday notice appeared in THE TIMES under the head of "Pasadena News," merely mentioning the fact of our own accord, that a certain lady had received a reply to her letter of congratulation written to Benjamin Harrison. This, for some unaccountable reason, was not received in very good spirit by some one who signed himself "Carlo F. Dxss, Painter," under the article headed "Harrison's Courtesy," in Pasadena Star, July 20th, in which he says: 'A relative of Harrison's is boasting of getting a letter,' etc. 'Carlo' evidently wrote that article prompted by the spirit of meanness or jealousy. It is not so much what is said or written, but the spirit in which it is said. 'Carlo F. Dxss, Painter,' may consider it a crime to be related to 'our next President,' but others may think differently. The lady in question is a lady in every sense of the term - not seeking notoriety, but attending to her home duties. I hope 'Carlo F. Dxss, Painter,' will now be satisfied with this notice of his weakness, unenviable as it is.

Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct 1894
Capt. Dxss has painted six pictures for W. C. Stuart's new house on Orange Grove avenue.

Prince and Princess
Los Angeles Herald, 28 June 1900

A strange story of royalty, love marriage and concealed identity has come to light. Carlo F. Dxss, the artist and vocalist who has lived here for 14 years, is not Carlo Dxss but Carlo August Frederick Henry Murat, a prince of Naples. The story leaked out at the time the prince was married to Miss Julia Sheltema, daughter of Captain and Mrs. J. T. Sheltema of 536 Herkimer street. Mr. and Mrs. Dxss, or rather Prince and Princess Murat, were married last Saturday at San Bernardino. They tried to keep the matter secret but it got out and a reporter who called at Herkimer street yesterday was bluffed off by Mrs. Sheltema, who said that it was nonsense to think that the Miss Sheltema who was married in San Bernardino was her daughter. Mrs. Sheltema made a fine distinction between these words and an out-and-out denial. The bluff worked all right, but today the family decided to own up. The prince is 62 and his bride 23. He came here from Naples in 1866, and has lived in Pasadena 14 years. He changed his name for political reasons. He knew Captain and Mrs. Sheltema a long time ago in Holland and met them again here. He has been engaged to Miss Sheltema for a long time. They went to San Bernardino to be married because they thought they could keep the secret from their friends for a year or so, when they would be better ready to spring it. They propose to go to Europe. The bride and groom are very happy and now that the story is out, they say they are glad it is over with. They will live here for the present.

Man of Royal Descent is Married to a Pasadena Belle
Los Angeles Times, 28 Jun 1900

Bride of a Prince
Monday's Times contained an announcement of the marriage in San Bernardino last Saturday of Carlo August Frederick Henry Murat, a native and Prince of the former kingdom of Naples, to Miss Juliet Scheltema. Friends of Miss Scheltema, whose home is on Herkimer street in this city, saw the story, and accused her of being the bride, but as she had not been known to have the acquaintance of a Prince, and as she strenuously denied the report, it was decided that the couple married at San Bernardino were other than Pasadenans. Yesterday, however, Miss Scheltema that was, arrayed herself in a new white dress, and went to call upon some friends. When her resemblance to a bride was commented on, her confusion betrayed her and she confessed that she really had been married. The identity of her titled husband was disclosed when she said that he was Carlo F. Dxss, the Vernon avenue landscape artist, who has the distinction of being the only man in Pasadena who eschews vowels in the spelling of his surname.

Mr. and Mrs. Dxss, or Murat, as they probably will be known henceforth, were seen today at the home of Capt. J. T. Scheltema on Herkimer street, and, while they were chagrined that the news of their marriage had become public, their happiness seems to have overcome their disappointment, for they are as merry as others of the vast host of June brides and grooms. Mr. Murat is 62 years old, is a linguist, a singer, and artist of note, and a man of culture. Mrs. Murat is 23, is pretty, is a scholar in music, and is intelligent and vivacious. They say their reasons for keeping the wedding a secret were prompted by an aversion to attracting publicity to the rank of Mr. Murat, for the reason that he considers himself too poor to keep up appearances expected in one of royal blood. The couple did not care to marry under an assumed name, so they decided to go to San Bernardino to have the knot tied. They left Saturday morning for that city, Miss Scheltema and her mother going on the Santa Fé train, while Mr. Murat and Capt. Scheltema went via the Southern Pacific. The Prince secured a license from the County Clerk's office, and was walking about the Courthouse with Capt. Scheltema, both wearing decorations received by them while serving in foreign armies, when Mr. Murat was approached by an affable gentleman who was attracted by the cross of the French Legion of Honor, worn on the breast of the Pasadena artist. Addressing Mr. Murat in French, the stranger carried on a long conversation, in which he learned of the mission to San Bernardino, and it was from this source that the story became public. Mrs. Murat laughingly said that women are accused of being unable to keep secrets, but she playfully chided her husband for disclosing their secret to a total stranger.

Carlo August Frederick Henry Murat has lived in Pasadena under the name of Carlo F. Dxss for fourteen years. He was born in Naples, of which kingdom his grandfather was ruler. He spent his early boyhood in Holland, and when 14 years old he went to France. He served through the Crimean war as an aide on the general staff of the French army and received the Cross of the Legion of Honor and a number of other metals for bravery. He came to the United States in 1866, and has followed his art in various parts of this country.

Murat Estate Children Begin Contest
Los Angeles Times, 12 May 1904

There is to be a contest over the distribution of the estate of the late Carlo F. Murat, who, it is claimed, was the son of the one time King of Naples, and the legitimate heir to the Neapolitan throne, if, in the whirligig of time, that monarchy should be restored.

Juliet Murat, the widow, filed her petition to be appointed administratrix, alleging that the estate consisted only of personal property valued at $100, but yesterday the children of Prince Murat filed their contest. Jesse Dxss Murat and Gertrude Athey Murat are the children by a first marriage and there is not much love lost between them and their stepmother.

It is the contention of the son and daughter of the deceased that the estate of their father consists of personal property, it is true, but of a value exceeding the insignificant sum alleged by very many hundreds of dollars. They aver that during the lifetime of their mother there were a great number of very valuable paintings, and that many of these remained in their father's possession to the end. Then, too, they say that their father had in his possession a number of heirlooms not only valuable in themselves, but of a very large additional value by reason of their historic associations. The actual value of these works of art and vertu it is difficult to estimate, and that has not been even attempted, but the children are determined to contest the right of Mme. Murat to absorb them all other than through the regular procedure of the court. In the contest that has been filed it is set out that Mme. Murat is not a proper person to have charge of their father's estate for the reason that on account of "her bias, prejudice, hatred, and ill will against the children," she will use her power as administratrix to prevent them from receiving anything out of the estate. In these premises they have nominated Public Administrator McGarvin as a suitable person to take the matter in charge.

Given Jewels for Orphans: Pasadena Woman Donates 'Em to Noble Cause
Field Marshal's Descendant Parts with Heirlooms
They Include Valuable Rings Owned by Napoleon
Los Angeles Times, 19 Jul 1917

Pasadena, July 19 - Mme. Juliet Murat, widow of Capt. Carlo Frederick Murat, a direct descendant of Joachim Murat, Napoleon's famous field marshal, announced yesterday that she had decided to donate a valuable collection of heirlooms of the Murat and Napoleon families to the cause of the French orphans. The collection consists mostly of jewelry and includes several rings once owned by Napoleon and Josephine. Capt. Murat, who died in Pasadena about ten years ago, was a veteran of the French army and was decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor by Naoloeon III. Many of the most valued personal belongings of Field Marshal Murat, a number of them gifts from Napoleon, were handed down to Capt. Murat and given by him to his wife. Mme. Murat lives at No. 540 Herkimer street. Yesterday she invited a number of friends to her home for a last view of the treasures. For some time Mme. Murat has been supporting several French orphans.

1. ↑ Grandson of Murat is dead - short illness fatal to man of note, in Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXXI, Number 207, 23 April 1904.

   Pasadena, April 22 - Carlo August Frederic Henri Murat died this morning at his home, 536 Herkimer street, after a brief illness. He was the grandson of Caroline Bonaparte, younger sister of the Emperor Napoleon of France, and of Joachim Murat, marshal of France during the first empire and later king of Naples.
   Capt. Murat was in the 66th year of his age. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Juliet Scheltima Murat daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Julius Scheltima of Pasadena.
   Private funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence.
   Capt. Murat's illness dated only from a week ago last Friday, when he contracted a severe cold while attending a concert in Los Angeles.
   He was born in Naples and was educated with the expectation that he would some day sit on the throne of Naples. For bravery during the attacks on Balaklava and Sebastopol he was decorated with the cross of the Legion of Honor. Holland gave him the Willems cross.
   Capt. Murat came to Pasadena about sixteen years ago. He was known to many as Prince Murat although he never laid claim to the title. Religious, political and family differences drove him to leave France forty years ago. He was an artist of no mean ability, and had a number of students in Los Angeles.
   
   http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&cl=search&d=LAH19040423.2.8

2.   Certificate of Naturalization
   30 Apr 1888.

   Los Angeles, California, Superior Court
   
   Name: Charles Dxss
   Witnesses: William Ross and Richard Yarbrough
   Charles renounced allegiance to the King of Holland.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Marion, Indiana, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T9).

   https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MH9L-MFR

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Los Angeles County, California. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M9P2-5PM

5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 Patent # 152,296.

   Improvement in Ironing-boards
   152,296 Loper, Francis M., and Carlos F. Dxss, Scipio, Ind.

6. ↑ R. L. Polk & Co.'s Indianapolis Directory for 1883
   pg. 227.

   Dxss Carlo, attendant Insane Hospital

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Indianapolis, Indiana, City Directory, 1882
   pg. 217.

   Dxx Carlo, painter, res n w cor Vermont and Centennial ave, nr Insane Hospital

8. ↑ Los Angeles Times
   23 Apr 1904.

   Nobleman Dead in Pasadena
   
   Rightful Prince of Naples Passes Away
   
   Carlo August Frederic Henri Murat, Descendant of the Bonapartes, and Wearer of the Badge of the Legion of Honor
   
   Pasadena, Office of the Times, No. 26 South Raymond avenue, April 23. -- Carlo August Frederic Henri Murat, through whose veins coursed the blook of the Bonapartes, and who was the rightful Prince of Naples, died in this city yesterday morning, at the age of 67 years. His residence was at No. 536 Herkimer street, and there he passed away, leaving a widow to mourn.
   
   His was an interesting and brilliant career, especially as a soldier. He was the grandson of Caroline Bonaparte, youngest sister of the Emperor Napoleon of France, and of Joachim Murat, the Marshal of France during the first empire and later King. He fought with the allies in the Crimean War and was decorated with the badge of the Legion of Honor and given the rank of captain.
   
   Mr. Murat had resided in Pasadena sixteen years. He had a summer home in the mountains near here. Four years ago he had married Juliet Scheltime, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Julius Scheltime of Pasadena.
   
   The funeral services will be held at the residence this afternoon at 2 o'clock and will be private.

9.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade Useless Fight near Balaclava
10.   One of the most notable events involving the city is the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855) carried out by the British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops during the Crimean War, which lasted for 11 months. Despite its efforts, the Russian army had to leave its stronghold and evacuate over a pontoon bridge to the north shore of the inlet. The Russians had to sink their entire fleet to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy and at the same time to block the entrance of the Western ships into the inlet. When the enemy troops entered Sevastopol, they were faced with the ruins of a formerly glorious city.
11.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Naples
    
    Napoleonic Kingdom of Naples
    
    Ferdinand's decision to ally with the Third Coalition against Napoleon in 1805 proved more damaging. In 1806, following decisive victories over the allied armies at Austerlitz and over the Neapolitans at Campo Tenese, Napoleon installed his brother, Joseph as King of Naples. When Joseph was sent off to Spain two years later, he was replaced by Napoleon's sister Caroline and his brother-in-law Marshal Joachim Murat, as King of the Two Sicilies.
    Meanwhile, Ferdinand had fled to Sicily, where he retained his throne, despite successive attempts by Murat to invade the island. The British would defend Sicily for the remainder of the war but despite the Kingdom of Sicily nominally being part of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Coalitions against Napoleon, Ferdinand and the British were unable to ever challenge French control of the Italian mainland.
    After Napoleon's defeat in 1814, Murat reached an agreement with Austria and was allowed to retain the throne of Naples, despite the lobbying efforts of Ferdinand and his supporters. However, with most of the other powers, particularly Britain, hostile towards him and dependent on the uncertain support of Austria, Murat's position became less and less secure. Therefore when Napoleon returned to France for the Hundred Days in 1815, Murat once again sided with him. Realising the Austrians would soon attempt to remove him, Murat gave the Rimini Proclamation in a hope to save his kingdom by allying himself with Italian nationalists. The ensuing Neapolitan War between Murat and the Austrians was short, ending with a decisive victory for the Austrian forces at the Battle of Tolentino. Murat was forced to flee, and Ferdinand IV of Sicily was restored to the throne of Naples. Murat would attempt to regain his throne but was quickly captured and executed by firing squad in Pizzo, Calabria. The next year, 1816, finally saw the formal union of the Kingdom of Naples with the Kingdom of Sicily into the new Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.