When a prized debutante makes her debut, one heir is determined not to miss it. November 1933, one of the most prized debutantes of this season Virginia Kent has her first coming out ball. To not miss out, John Jacob Astor VI, aka “Jakey,” charters a vehicle to bring a crew to the party. Will a love match be made? Other people and subjects include: Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, James H.R. Cromwell aka “Jimmy,” Eva Stotesbury, “Jakey” John Jacob Astor VI, Daisy Van Alen, William “Sam” Van Alen, Elizabeth “Betty” Kent Van Alen, Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Atwater “Atty” Kent, Jr., Virginia “Ginnie” Kent, Atwater Kent, Mabel Lucas Kent, Jonathan Kent, George Vanderbilt, Mrs. Margaret Emerson Vanderbilt Baker Amory, Raymond Guest, Winston Guest, Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, Louise Brooks Howard, Pola Negri, Elsa Maxwell, Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, Helen Dinsmore Astor, Isabel Dodge Sloane, Margaret “Peggy Dorrance, Charlotte Dorrance, Jane Johnson – future Mrs. Heminway, Mademoiselle Louise Millet of Paris, Mrs. Donner, Mrs. Barklie – the Barklies, the Hustons / the Houstons, the Lorimers, Pierre Barbey, Jr., Screven Lorillard, Richard “Dick” deRahm, Joseph Earle Stevens Jr., Ludlow Stevens, Eleanor “Ellie” Gould, Caroline Astor, British Queen Mary, Prince Albert – Duke of York – future King George VI, colorful debutante fashion trends, study abroad, Fermata school, Veiled Prophet Queen, bow at Court of St. James, Africa big game trip, African hunting expedition, polo, horse races, scavenger hunt, gag gift, Waldorf-Astoria, Bridlespur Hunt Club, Deer Creek Country Club, Barclay Hotel, Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Aquitania oceanliner, Kenya Colony, New York City, Philadelphia, Paris, Africa, St. Louis, Missouri, Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, St. Louis Dispatch, Atwater Kent Radio, Amos & Andy, Rudy Vallee, Ellie Kemper, Phillips Carlin, President Harry Truman, United Nations, costume parties, Halloween, fresh vegetables appetizer – celery & carrots with dip, Metropolitan Opera, Atwater Kent Radio Hour, NBC & CBS radio stations, Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball, Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty, post Civil War – Reconstruction era, John G. Priest, Suzanne “Suzie” Slayback, parade floats, Jinn, Bengal lancers, Louisiana Purchase, Mother Goose, racial tensions, Percy Brown, ACTION (the Action Council to Improve Opportunities for Negroes), robber Russell Hayes, historian Thomas Spencer, protests, Mexican entourage, Irish immigrants, African American Veiled Prophet Queen, Veiled Prophet – Grand Oracle, American Birthday Parade, class warfare, trade unions, St. Louis Republican – Missouri Republican newspaper, socialist newspaper St. Louis Labor, secret society, secret organization, Ku Klux Klan – KKK, Joseph Dacus, Frank James, Jesse James, misappropriation of image, photography, printing images, woodcut, idea of perfection, stress of perfections, cracks, pressures, scandal, 1958 film The Reluctant Debutante, Vincente Minnelli, Sandra Dee, Rex Harrison, Queen Elizabeth II, Edward McLean, Washington Post, Jeff Bezos, Amazon, red flags, the need of friends and family,… Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
When a prized debutante makes her debut, one heir is determined not to miss it.
November 1933, one of the most prized debutantes of this season Virginia Kent has her first coming out ball. To not miss out, John Jacob Astor VI, aka “Jakey,” charters a vehicle to bring a crew to the party. Will a love match be made?
Other people and subjects include:
Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, James H.R. Cromwell aka “Jimmy,” Eva Stotesbury, “Jakey” John Jacob Astor VI, Daisy Van Alen, William “Sam” Van Alen, Elizabeth “Betty” Kent Van Alen, Woolworth “Woolie” Donahue, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Atwater “Atty” Kent, Jr., Virginia “Ginnie” Kent, Atwater Kent, Mabel Lucas Kent, Jonathan Kent, George Vanderbilt, Mrs. Margaret Emerson Vanderbilt Baker Amory, Raymond Guest, Winston Guest, Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, Louise Brooks Howard, Pola Negri, Elsa Maxwell, Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, Helen Dinsmore Astor, Isabel Dodge Sloane, Margaret “Peggy Dorrance, Charlotte Dorrance, Jane Johnson – future Mrs. Heminway, Mademoiselle Louise Millet of Paris, Mrs. Donner, Mrs. Barklie – the Barklies, the Hustons / the Houstons, the Lorimers, Pierre Barbey, Jr., Screven Lorillard, Richard “Dick” deRahm, Joseph Earle Stevens Jr., Ludlow Stevens, Eleanor “Ellie” Gould, Caroline Astor, British Queen Mary, Prince Albert – Duke of York – future King George VI, colorful debutante fashion trends, study abroad, Fermata school, Veiled Prophet Queen, bow at Court of St. James, Africa big game trip, African hunting expedition, polo, horse races, scavenger hunt, gag gift, Waldorf-Astoria, Bridlespur Hunt Club, Deer Creek Country Club, Barclay Hotel, Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Aquitania oceanliner, Kenya Colony, New York City, Philadelphia, Paris, Africa, St. Louis, Missouri, Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, St. Louis Dispatch, Atwater Kent Radio, Amos & Andy, Rudy Vallee, Ellie Kemper, Phillips Carlin, President Harry Truman, United Nations, costume parties, Halloween, fresh vegetables appetizer – celery & carrots with dip, Metropolitan Opera, Atwater Kent Radio Hour, NBC & CBS radio stations, Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball, Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty, post Civil War – Reconstruction era, John G. Priest, Suzanne “Suzie” Slayback, parade floats, Jinn, Bengal lancers, Louisiana Purchase, Mother Goose, racial tensions, Percy Brown, ACTION (the Action Council to Improve Opportunities for Negroes), robber Russell Hayes, historian Thomas Spencer, protests, Mexican entourage, Irish immigrants, African American Veiled Prophet Queen, Veiled Prophet – Grand Oracle, American Birthday Parade, class warfare, trade unions, St. Louis Republican – Missouri Republican newspaper, socialist newspaper St. Louis Labor, secret society, secret organization, Ku Klux Klan – KKK, Joseph Dacus, Frank James, Jesse James, misappropriation of image, photography, printing images, woodcut, idea of perfection, stress of perfections, cracks, pressures, scandal, 1958 film The Reluctant Debutante, Vincente Minnelli, Sandra Dee, Rex Harrison, Queen Elizabeth II, Edward McLean, Washington Post, Jeff Bezos, Amazon, red flags, the need of friends and family,…
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Extra Notes / Call to Action:
Charisma on Command, YouTube Episode: $120,000 Was Stolen From Me… It Was My “Friend”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPfz49JqrI
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Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 1 Music: Sweet Sixteen And Never Been Kissed by Blue Mountaineers, Albums The Great Dance Bands & Play Hits of the 30s
Section 2 Music: As Time Goes By by Adelaide Hall, Album – Elegance 2
Section 3 Music: I’ve Got An Invitation To Dance by Roy Fox, Album The Great Dance Bands Play Hits of the 30s
End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
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AS THE MONEY BURNS
Podcast by Nicki Woodard
Episode 131 – Chartered
Outline
Chartered vehicle
Philly debutante
Series Tag
00:00
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast by Nicki Woodard. Based on historical research, this is a deep exploration into what happened to a set of actual heirs and heiresses to some of America’s most famous fortunes when the Great Depression hits.
Each episode has three primary sections. Section 1 is a narrative story. Section 2 goes deeper into the historical facts. Section 3 focuses on contemporary, emotional, and personal connections.
00:30
Story Recap
While Doris Duke is hounded by press on her cross country tour, Jakey Astor mingles with potential brides.
Now back to AS THE MONEY BURNS
Title
00:45
Chartered
[Music Fade Out]
Episode Tag
When a prized debutante makes her debut, one heir is determined not to miss it.
01:02
[Music – Sweet Sixteen And Never Been Kissed by Blue Mountaineers, Albums The Great Dance Bands & Play Hits of the 30s]
Section 1 – Story
[Music Fade Out]
01:17
There are debutantes, and then there are debutantes. And without a doubt for the 1933 – 1934 season one of the best buds is the lovely redheaded Virginia “Ginnie” Kent.
This glamorous young lady has freshly returned after a year abroad in Paris both for finishing school then studying sculpture. The pretty sophisticate has already had one of the most prestigious honors when she bowed before British Queen Mary and her son Prince Albert, Duke of York (the future King George VI) at the third Court of St. James on May 17th, 1933.
01:59
Ginnie’s assured success comes both from her own charms, her parents’ wealth, and the familiar trail blazed by older sister Elizabeth “Betty” Kent Van Alen. Another prized debutante who snagged the ultimate prize with William “Sam” Van Alen, a notable legacy heir –the great grandson of Gilded Age queen bee Caroline Astor as well as a rich and lovingly warm husband to boot.
02:24
Ginnie’s father A. Atwater Kent Sr. has made a fortune in radios. So is it no surprise that Ginnie would be considered newsworthy in her hometown of Philadelphia as well as across the country?
The Kents are the near perfect family. The combination of all that one might aspire to be. Prestige from their mother’s long colonial lineage and additional wealth from their father’s industrial ambition. All family members are described as pleasant and well mannered. The perfect hosts for any event. A party at the Kents is both actively engaging and warmly inviting. Even the supreme hostess coloratura soprano Cobina Wright mentions father Atwater Kent as a shy little man with excellent hosting skills whose only concern seems to be pleasing his guests.
So it is no wonder that many will gather at the Kents’ “West Hills” home for an unending house party weekend to celebrate Ginnie’s coming out.
03:22
The debutante season is essentially an engagement pre-activity, and with that the pressure is on for both males and females. Two unlikely attendees are Barbara Hutton’s cousin Woolworth Donahue and his fiancée Dorothy “Dottie” Fell, who together are spotted at the Halloween fete at Central Park Casino only days before.
However there is another more desirable heir who also will be skipping this weekend’s events.
03:52
Wednesday, November 1st, 1933, New York
Avoiding being hunted for his fortune and somewhat bachelor status, Alfred “Alfy Vanderbilt Jr. instead will become the hunter on an African expedition. His mother Mrs. Margaret Emerson Vanderbilt Baker Amory hosts a farewell dinner for Alfy. Younger brother George Vanderbilt is present but will not join the expedition having already returned from a recent trip of his own. Later that evening, Alfy boards the Aquitania heading to East Africa with companions polo playing brothers Raymond Guest and Winston Guest. The hunting party might possibly end up at the latter brothers’ family estate “Guesthouse” in the Kenya Colony. The brothers have often been spotted with heiresses Barbara Hutton and Doris Duke over the last couple of years.
04:44
The same evening over at the Waldorf-Astoria, famed party hostess Elsa Maxwell throws a scavenger hunt for the older set of elites. Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, Isabel Dodge Sloane, Helen Dinsmore Astor, and others search for trophies. The gag gift prize was a pair of signed panties by silverscreen silent star Pola Negri.
Thursday, November 2nd, 1933, Philadelphia
The Donners hosts a dinner at the “Camp Woods” as the pre-debutante event for Ginnie.
05:22
Friday, November 3rd, 1933, Philadelphia
Parents Atwater Kent and Mabel Lucas Kent host a formal tea as the first step in Ginnie’s official coming out festivities. The gracious and hospitable Ginnie appears in a charming white velvet gown with high bodice in front and cut low in the back with white slippers and an armful of gardenias. Mother Mabel wears a crushed wine colored velvet red dress with melon toned flowers at the shoulders and ruffle that fell into a train, and sister Betty wore dark red velvet lace with close fitting lines.
Attendees include Campbell Soup heiress Margaret “Peggy” Dorrance and several other out of town debutantes along with society ladies Eva Stotesbury, Eva’s granddaughter Louise Brooks Howard, Betty’s mother-in-law Daisy Van Alen, Mrs. Donner, and Mrs. Barklie.
06:18
Ginnie’s favorite guest Jane Johnson comes all the way from St. Louis. Both were Fermata classmates, then Jane and Ginnie together study and travel abroad in Europe under the guidance of Mademoiselle Louise Millet of Paris. Upon returning to the U.S., Ginnie visits Jane for the steeplechase horse races at the Bridlespur Hunt Club earlier this fall. Recently, Jane has been crowned the Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty at St. Louis’s long prestigious parade and ball. A bittersweet reunion as both young ladies will soon part again to spend the rest of the season busy with their debut activities in their respective cities. Jane will have her own debutante party in a week’s time in St. Louis at the Deer Creek Country Club.
07:05
The Kents offer several entertainments over the weekend, and possibly a costume party among them. Ginnie plays the hostess along with her brother Atwater “Atty” Kent, Jr. He too is on the auction block, but it doesn’t seem he is quite too willing to be caught at this moment.
Upon learning several others will be attending this weekend’s events, another guest brings his own crew to the Quaker City. The proud scion and the illustrious “Titanic baby” John Jacob Astor VI, aka “Jakey,” has taken his newly accessible inheritance and has willingly shilled out the expense of chartering a special car for their luxurious convenience. His companions include Princeton student Screven Lorillard, recent Tuxedo Park host Pierre Barbey Jr., Harvard student Richard “Dick” deRham, brothers Joseph Earle Stevens Jr., and the newly engaged Harvard graduate Ludlow Stevens (his fiancée is Miss Eleanor “Ellie” Gould).
08:06
This season and forevermore, Jakey intends to return the grandiose social presence of his grandmother and former Gilded Age queen bee Caroline Astor, and that means Jakey will surely attend the best of the best gatherings this social season.
Jakey is eager to check out his marital prospects for his own society queen bee and is eyeing both the near perfect Ginnie and the very pretty Jane.
08:32
Saturday, November 4th, 1933
Now some of the austerity of the Great Depression seems to be wearing off. One sign, debutantes are deciding to wear colorful dresses this year. While some debutantes will wear the more traditional white satin, ivory taffeta, or white crepe gowns, others are opting for more colorful and striking ensembles.
09:00
Different touches create smart and unusual dresses. Puffs and loops arranged in interesting manners for sleeves. High necklines with deep decolletage in back. Many dresses feature short trains. Colors range from faint pastels to deep wine tones and even black.
A blue satin gown with a pink shell scarf and a princess skirt paired with slippers with gold and silver tones. A black velvet gown with flowing sleeves faced with silver lame, attached with silver buttons a tunic with silver lame edges and ruffles about the shoulders. A flame-colored crepe dress with a pleated skirt, fastened with brilliants and a belt, and crepe ruffles outline the armholes. A red and silver gown with a coatee trimmed with a silver fox collar. A dainty green net dress with ruffle trim and a slight bustle with darker green shade slippers. A modish purple taffeta gown with loops of silk falling from the shoulders giving the effect of sleeves with a close fitting hips to branch out into ruffles at the knees into deep folds at the feet in purple sandals.
Married ladies too appear in elegant attire including a black satin gown with a long deep V back and a modish gold tissue dress with a cowl neckline and deep cut back along with narrow frill edges and a long train.
10:21
Campbell Soup heiress Peggy Dorrance wears a simple exquisitely contoured ice blue satin dress with a haltered neckline and back. Her sister Charlotte Dorrance wears both a simplistic and distinct striking high neck mulberry satin gown, the bodice slashed at the sides with crystals fastening the material at intervals, and four crystal motif at the belt
At one of the formal dances, Ginnie is spotted in a taffeta frock shaded dark gray to white, with a narrow silk pleating at the bottom edging of a skirt and finished with a deep shoulder cape. Could that be her official gown?
Her ball is held at the Barclay Hotel, where 300 guests dance. Her family’s radio connections ensure a musical treat.
11:08
Jakey dances with Ginnie, Jane, and Peggy. Each interesting in their own way, though somehow none feel quite right for him . Ginnie with her art and European sensibilities yet aloof, Jane both pretty and polite but St. Louis roots -- with his East Coast snobbery, and Peggy fun and playful but maybe too sporty for the non-athletic heir.
Throughout the weekend Ginnie plays gracious hostess, but she truly relishes every moment spent with Jane. The close confidantes have separation anxiety after many years of constant companionship. Ginnie misses her freedom and isn’t quite yet ready for a marital match.
Jakey senses her trepidation and gladly returns to the familiar New York scene for more enthusiastic admirers.
12:04
When the weekend finally ends, Ginnie holds hands with Jane not ready to part ways. The two dear friends sigh as they will not know their next reunion. Jane too must return to St. Louis for her own endless round of events. Both gals along with Peggy will be kept plenty busy until the year’s end. After a lingering goodbye, they embrace with a big hug and a tiny peck on the cheek.
12:30
As one of the most feted debutantes of the season, Ginnie has a full schedule of various luncheons, dinners, and other events ahead as the guest of honor, which include --
Sunday November 18th, 1933
Luncheon by the Barklies at “Inver House”
Friday, November 24th, 1933
Dinner and theatre party by the Lorimers at “Belgraeme” along with Peggy and Atty
Sunday, December 17th, 1933
Never to be excluded nor outdone and taking her chaperoning duties seriously, the ever flamboyant Eva Stotesbury will host a dinner for Ginnie, Peggy and Charotte Dorrance at Whitemarsh Hall.
Friday, December 22nd, 1933
Kents hosts a formal, grander dinner dance at the Bellevue-Stratford
Thursday, January 4th, 1934
Dinner and dance held by the Hustons / Houstons (*both spellings, no distinctions to clarify)
During her coming out season, a popular debutante’s schedule is never empty.
13:33
[Music – As Time Goes By by Adelaide Hall, Album – Elegance 2]
Section 2 – History & Historiography
[Music Fade Out]
13:51
Every episode provides several tangents to chase in order to clarify events, people, activities, contexts, and whatever else might catch one’s attention or fancy. This section’s purpose is to provide historical details too cumbersome or distracting for the story section. Backstory, facts, methodology, source issues, and such that is interesting and informative but did not fit neatly into the story section. Interesting facts that I feel compelled to share.
14:19
I am finding a little frustration not getting more intimate details for the Kent family dynamics or both of the balls for Virginia Kent. There are very few descriptions of her coming out activities, usually noting her fashion, maybe location, an attendee or two, and little else. The Baltimore Sun is the only place that indicates that it was a costume party at the Barclay Hotel, but no further information like costumes are given. However the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that there had been several Halloween parties earlier in the week with some photos showing a consistent Western or farmer hoedown theme with overalls as the typical costumes. Likely those events might have gotten blurred by a more distant affiliate news report.
15:08
As for a little more detail on the radio magnate family and their hosting skills, Atwater Kent Radio Hour is the 3rd most popular radio program after Amos & Andy and Rudy Vallee during 1930 – 1931. On NBC and CBS stations, the radio concert program with announcer Phillips Carlin ran from 1925 – 1934, featuring multiple acts from Metropolitan Opera to other classical music. However, Atwater Kent Radio will continue to host programs over the years. On April 25th, 1945, Atwater Kent radio would broadcast President Harry Truman’s opening address to the United Nations in San Francisco. Playing gracious host at the reception, Atwater Kent Sr. offers not only cocktails but fresh carrots and celery sticks with dip – the first time fresh vegetables are offered as an appetizer at a party.
Alas that is the best I can share at this moment, because the deeper facts relate to future plotlines towards the end and beyond our tale.
16:17
Now for a bigger digression.
Every major city or culture will have its grand tradition. An annual event that takes significant influence. Primarily ceremonial but one that imbues a certain elitism on the prime recipient.
When I went to find more information on the relatively common name Jane Johnson, I was able to quickly discern who she was due to her being recently crowned the Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty. The title that travels with her throughout her life. Thus began a quick rabbit hole journey onto what is the history behind that title.
And boy, did I find a very complicated and interesting side note within this story’s episode. There is no way I can get into all the details or take the time to ascertain and sort out how messy all of this is so I will give a few quick highlights with an encouragement to anyone who might want to delve further. I am basically summarizing parts of a very long, quite elaborate, and convoluted Wikipedia entry, so here we go…
17:26
For St. Louis, Missouri, the Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball begins in 1878 hosted by a group of an all male anonymous organization comprised of local business and government leaders. The Veiled Prophet is a mythical figure, and the actual head of the organization and many of its members are meant to be anonymous. Along with founding the organization, a parade and ball become an annual tradition. The goal was to revitalize business in the area after the struggles of the post-Civil War Reconstruction era.
The first parade and ball is held on October 8th, 1878. The first prophet is John G. Priest, a Board of Police Commissioners member. The prophet dressed in red and green robes would appear in the final float of the parade. The first queen is Suzanne “Susie” Slayback.
18:18
The Veiled Prophet Parade and Ball quickly takes hold and becomes an annual tradition. What makes it more desirable is its secrecy and exclusiveness. There was an approval process by secret committee, then each year’s invitations – anywhere from 1500 up to 7000 – invitations would be sent and would match that annual theme for the parade float and ball. Typical themes are literature, historical, opera, childhood, lore, toys, Biblical, seasons, and so on…
Just a few include:
1878 – The Festival of Ceres based on the Greek Goddess Demeter, as the first event was to boost local agriculture
1885 – Arabian Night, the invitation involves a metal box with a satin bag and silk rope, inside 5 depicted scenes from Arabian Nights, an admission card, and a dance program. The first parade float is the King of Jinns. This theme reappears in 1940.
19:21
1888 – Child Lore, the special invitations featured intricate Mother Goose designs and were printed in Paris. Mother Goose will return in 1948.
1901 celebrates the Louisiana Purchase and 1902 the Discovery of the Mississippi, the invite is an intricate map of the Louisiana Purchase
1935 parade features Bengal lancers in elaborate dress with royal blue turban, scarlet tunic, white breeches, and black boots with spurs.
The 1933 theme is A Journey through Bookland.
By the way, the prophet would arrive via plane in the 1924 – 1927 parades.
20:04
Over time, traditions and other elements would change. In 1884, the queen title will change to the Queen of Love and Beauty. In 1894, the queen would be accompanied by Maids of Honor along with chaperones. The Queen title would stick with recipients for life, often referred in any adjoining news articles like wedding, birth, or death announcements. According to the St. Louis-Dispatch, 44 former queens were summoned to the 1960 ball, dating as far back to a 1896 queen to the present and including Jane Johnson by then Mrs. Heminway. The Queens would line up at the entrance of the ball. In 1999, actress Ellie Kemper serves as the Queen of Love and Beauty.
20:48
In 1898, a Mexican entourage visits, but despite efforts there are complications finding adequate society ladies to aid with the language barriers.
In the 1930s – 1940s before World War II, the local African American community would host and appoint its own Veiled Prophet Queen.
There have been many controversies involving the event. In 1879 a dispute over payment for unfinished floats includes blackmail to reveal anonymous members. In 1882 & 1938, criticisms occur over negative depictions of Irish immigrants.
21:24
From 1966 – 1969, many protests by local African Americans led by Percy Brown and his ACTION (the Action Council to Improve Opportunities for Negroes) against the racism and white supremacy of the event. The initial protest is sparked days before the 1966 parade after the police shoot a black robbery suspect Russell Hayes, who in attempts to escape custody pulls a gun on 3 detectives. Items related to the robbery are found at his arrest location, and his body is identified as the robber by the victim – a bus driver. Decades later, the complex racial history will become an issue again in 2021 and 2022.
By 2021, the annual event would be renamed as the American Birthday Parade, and by early 2024 the Veiled Prophet figure head would be removed and replaced with the “Grand Oracle.”
22:22
The reason for the change comes from the darker and shadowy elements within its history. There has always been some controversy surrounding the organization and event. Historian Thomas Spencer indicates it was more based on class warfare, as it was intended to displace and replace other parades held by trade unions. Between 1900 – 1930, it is criticized by the socialist and working-class newspaper St. Louis Labor. Remember this began as a partial secret society after the Reconstruction from the Civil War. Hence allegations and associations with the Ku Klux Klan have the more lingering impact.
23:02
In my quick glimpse, I cannot ascertain all the complexities throughout a nearly 150 year annual event. But there is one last fact to clarify.
There is a popular early image of the Veiled Prophet from the 1878 debut and claimed to show affiliation of the Ku Klux Klan. The image is of a man in KKK garb, but the image originates from a photograph then printed as a woodcut in August 1875 (*3 years earlier) the Missouri Republican article covering the KKK in Southern Illinois. After a failed raid on Maddox Farm on August 19th, 1875, the image is one of 4 photographs as posed for journalist Joseph Dacus (more famous for his history of outlaws Frank and Jesse James, Jesse dies in 1881 and Frank in 1915). The photograph is converted into a woodcut print and published with adjoining article on August 23rd, 1875 in the St. Louis Republican, also referred to as the Missouri Republican. That same image is reprinted in the St. Louis Republican / Missouri Republican on October 6th, 1878 when it was misidentified with the Veiled Prophet. Now the Veiled Prophet would appear in many strange getups and face coverings, but with enough variation of multiple colors, veils of multiple textures, and cuts that are distinctive enough away from the typical plain white hood and robes associated with the Klan.
24:50
This is not to deny or explain any other associations or accusations. It is merely a reference point in history. The presence of actual photography, manner of printing, and misappropriation of an image. Something we are inundated with constantly in our modern digital era so it is interesting to see this back in the 1870s when there are so few images. This particular image however resurfaces constantly in many websites out of context.
25:24
If you have listened to multiple episodes, then you would likely know I am not an apologist nor a denier of history. I seek truth and honesty to cut through the bullshit and deal with things directly and correctly in both my personal life as well as a historian. I believe truth is the most important factor in trying to deal with or fix anything. It can sting, it can be painful, but actual truth is something I can work with versus a lie. A lie is deception, maybe for merely mildly selfish reasons but more often it can have more sinister intended and unintended consequences.
26:05
There are plenty of harsh truths that in all honesty the worst part is just acknowledging them is the hardest obstacle. Seriously, the event is done, over, in the past. Then the rest of the path and any aftermath can be dealt with and adjusted. Lies at minimum run a person in circles, at worst veer into a path with more negative side effects. One can never fully undo a past situation, but one does not need to continue or commit further problems.
Our tales are of long past events and people dead by several decades. And yet, somethings still remain controversial. Such are the complexities of being human, and often times the more money or elites involved the more it will likely linger.
27:01
[Music – I’ve Got An Invitation To Dance by Roy Fox, Album The Great Dance Bands Play Hits of the 30s]
Section 3 – Contemporary & Personal Relevance
[Music Fade Out]
27:20
Have you ever struggled with being perfect? Have you ever felt trapped or confused by what appears perfect on the surface but in reality is not?
The shadows of a perfect life are a bit hard to live up to. There are so many rules and expectations. It would seem as if you followed all of them correctly, then you would be rewarded with a happily ever after. And yet, life is clearly never that simple.
The debutante is a recurring theme in social life and media. Every few years, it pops up again. A fascination somewhat over the semi fairy tale nature of the debutante’s big night. However the event comes with a lot of pressure.
28:06
Even back in 1958, the film The Reluctant Debutante, directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Sandra Dee and Rex Harrison, features a rebellious American teen visiting her British aristocratic father and participates in the British debutante season to appease her new socially ambitious stepmother. The film also remarks it will be the last year of the debutante bowing before Queen Elizabeth II as the trend has become too dated and rather trivial.
As several heiresses within our story have indicated the process of being a debutante is less desirable and glamorous in real life.
Crowned by her own participation in that royal ceremony, Virginia Kent is repeatedly mentioned for being the agreeable prized debutante – the inter-city deb and even ornamental. Though one article does mention she had to endure the social torture of a lavish debutante ball. Her brother Atwater “Atty” Kent Jr. too is often praised for being the best mannered and impeccable – even upon his death. Their sister Elizabeth “Betty” Kent Van Alen is also highly praised for her perfection. Younger adopted brother Jonathan Kent gets far less attention.
29:21
Still out of the 3 main siblings, one will become embroiled twice in similar scandals, a very heartbreaking scandal, and has a less glamorous death hinting at the inner turmoil and demons within. Knowing all this without giving too much away, as it involves things with other people in our story and part of the aftermath, the question becomes what would it be like to go through the process and could it also be more terrifying if she succeeds as a debutante with the entrapments that come with it?
29:57
I have been fascinated by this family from early on. Mostly because of the father Atwater Kent Sr. Whenever I am asked about endless money or the future of Jeff Bezos, it is this father as well as Edward McLean of the Washington Post I see as benchmarks for the Amazon billionaire’s potential trajectory especially with his more recent public notoriety serving as red flags. I will have to explain that more later. But Kent’s adult children too now enter my sightlines.
30:29
But for all the pomp and circumstance and tinges of possible romance, I find myself more drawn to the friendships and family connections this particular story presents. Lifelong friendships that will endure many hardships and tragedies that cannot be foreseen. Perfect lives cracking under the pressure. I know when my life hits its lowest points I have always been grateful for the supportive close friends and family.
31:01
Fortune comes in many forms. Some are greater and some are worse, and most of our heirs and heiresses might not always be so lucky. So much for happily ever afters…
Apologies for the delay in getting out this episode. I have been having some health complications impeding production. In every journey, there are passages of struggle, and I am on one right now but will keep trying to get through until things get easier again.
31:37
Charlie has spent years overcoming his own awkwardness and shyness and developed a large following through his podcast and YouTube channel Charisma on Command. In recent years, Charlie has been in the process of breaking a former partnership and getting full control of the business. Finally ready to make a deal, Charlie then discovers a significant amount of money has gone missing – and the culprit is none other than someone he considered a good close friend. Charlie goes on to describe signs and red flags when others are being deceptive, and how one’s more naïve and goodhearted doubt might prevent discovery of betrayal.
Episode titled:
$120,000 Was Stolen From Me… It Was My “Friend” | Charisma on Command
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPfz49JqrI
Links available in the notes and transcript.
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Hook
32:38
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Next when we return to AS THE MONEY BURNS…
A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize?
Until then…
Credits
32:58
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast written, produced, and voiced by Nicki Woodard, based on historical research. Archival music has been provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, check out their website at www.pastperfect.com.
Please come visit us at As The Money Burns via Goodpods, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook (now Meta), or Instagram. Transcripts, timeline, episode guide, and character bios are available at asthemoneyburns.com.
33:26
THE END.