the tragic love of Charles and Belle Cora
There are no surviving images of Belle Cora, but everyone agreed that she was beautiful and her house sumptuous
Not much is known about Belle Cora, and even less about Charles. What we do know is mainly gossip and slander. But we do know that they were partners and loved each other. Theirs was "a tie that angels might not blush to approve."
Most stories say that Belle was born in Baltimore, some time in the early 1830s, and that her birth name was Arabella, possibly Ryan, and that she was very beautiful. Her eyes were said to have been dark and lustrous and her skin pure white and as smooth as satin.
Perhaps Belle worked at a dress shop near a brothel, or perhaps she met her seducer elsewhere. Perhaps she ran off to save shame to her Irish Catholic parents, or perhaps her Protestant minister father cursed her and threw her out of the house. Either way, she left home pregnant at the age of 16. The man abandoned Belle or was killed. The baby died. As many had before her, Belle chose sex work over starvation. As very few had, she discovered that she was magnificent at it. As even fewer, she met her love.
Of Charles Cora it is said that he was born in Genoa, in 1810 or 1823, that he was a gambler, that he was "peaceful, amiable, and kind", and that he loved Belle. He did not see her merely as a beauty, but respected her brain and business acumen. Together they left New Orleans in 1849 and worked their way to San Francisco, plying their trades in Sacramento, Marysville, and Sonora. By 1852 they made enough money to open a gambling house and brothel on Pike (now Washington) St. in San Francisco.
And what a brothel! The Cora House had the most luxurious furnishings, the richest hangings, the best paintings, the most beautiful women in San Francisco! Every man of note came there (for the music, of course, and for gambling. It's amazing that the Coras even kept the prostitutes there at all). For three years the business and politics of San Francisco were conducted in an atmosphere of luxurious conviviality. Belle, in her thirties, was the best-dressed woman of San Francisco, and one of its most ardent art patrons. She and Charles shared a fortune of almost half a million dollars. She was at the peak of her beauty; her business was flourishing; and her love was by her side. Then petty jealousy destroyed Belle's life.
Mrs. General U.S. Marshal William H. Richardson, a woman of such low importance that her very name is lost to us, hosted a party. It happened to be on the same day that Belle was having one of her dinners, so Mrs. Richardson was disappointed to find her house empty of gentlemen. The next time Mrs. Richardson saw Belle was at the American Theatre. She complained to the management that a mere prostitute should be permitted to sit in the first balcony, and in better seats than Mrs. Richarson's own. She demanded that the Coras be thrown out of the theater. The manager told her that Charles and Belle Cora were regular customers. Coras remained. Richardsons left.
The next night Cora met Richardson at the Cosmopolitan saloon where a mutual friend, Dr. Mills, formally introduced them. They had a few drinks with him and left together on peaceful terms. Richardson, however, could not hold his drink. He threatened to slap Cora, a threat that Cora reported to Dr. Mills asking for assistance, as he would not draw on a drunken man. Mills and other gentlemen present talked Richardson down.
The next day Richardson was seen drunk again, searching from bar to bar for Cora. It is said that when Richardson finally found Cora they first spoke peacefully, and Cora managed to walk Richardson out of a bar and across the street.
Some said that Richardson was unarmed1We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.. Others that he drew first. In either case, Cora shot Richardson in the chest and he died on the spot. Cora was arrested to keep him safe from lynchers. Belle spent more than $30,000 to secure comforts for Cora in jail, hire the city’s best lawyer (Col. E.D. Baker), and (prosecution claimed) bribe key witnesses. Another $40,000 was raised by a subscription among Charles' friends. Belle succeeded in getting a hung jury in a trial that historian Roger Lotchin called “grossly unfair” and which Gen. McDougall (assisting defense) called "judicial murder."2The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.
Cora may have been saved if not for the Second Vigilance Committee.
In the same week James King Of William3Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost. - editor of the Daily Evening Bulletin - was murdered by James Casey, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors4Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.. King of William accused Casey of corruption and election fraud. He also called for Cora's hanging and declared his case to be an example of vice and corruption besetting the city5It was.. As a result, the two cases were conflated in the minds of the three thousand armed men of the Second Vigilante Committee. They set up Fort Gunnybags in front of the jail, rolled out two cannons, and demanded that Casey and Cora be handed over for execution.
In his last hours Charles Cora thought of Belle and did his best to secure her future. He called on Father Michael Alcotti, the founder of California's Jesuits, who braved the mob6Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C." to conduct a marriage ceremony. For two hours Arabella Ryan became Charles Cora's wife and then his widow7The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered. Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether. Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again..
Some say that Belle continued running the Cora House; others that she wept in her bedroom for a month and emerged to give away their fortune to charities, especially those that helped educate young children. She died before her fortieth year and is now buried next to Charles in Mission Dolores.
1We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.
2The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.
3Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost.Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost.
4Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.
5It was.It was.
6Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C."Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C."
7The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered. Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether. Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again.The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered.
Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether.
Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again.
Most stories say that Belle was born in Baltimore, some time in the early 1830s, and that her birth name was Arabella, possibly Ryan, and that she was very beautiful. Her eyes were said to have been dark and lustrous and her skin pure white and as smooth as satin.
Perhaps Belle worked at a dress shop near a brothel, or perhaps she met her seducer elsewhere. Perhaps she ran off to save shame to her Irish Catholic parents, or perhaps her Protestant minister father cursed her and threw her out of the house. Either way, she left home pregnant at the age of 16. The man abandoned Belle or was killed. The baby died. As many had before her, Belle chose sex work over starvation. As very few had, she discovered that she was magnificent at it. As even fewer, she met her love.
Of Charles Cora it is said that he was born in Genoa, in 1810 or 1823, that he was a gambler, that he was "peaceful, amiable, and kind", and that he loved Belle. He did not see her merely as a beauty, but respected her brain and business acumen. Together they left New Orleans in 1849 and worked their way to San Francisco, plying their trades in Sacramento, Marysville, and Sonora. By 1852 they made enough money to open a gambling house and brothel on Pike (now Washington) St. in San Francisco.
And what a brothel! The Cora House had the most luxurious furnishings, the richest hangings, the best paintings, the most beautiful women in San Francisco! Every man of note came there (for the music, of course, and for gambling. It's amazing that the Coras even kept the prostitutes there at all). For three years the business and politics of San Francisco were conducted in an atmosphere of luxurious conviviality. Belle, in her thirties, was the best-dressed woman of San Francisco, and one of its most ardent art patrons. She and Charles shared a fortune of almost half a million dollars. She was at the peak of her beauty; her business was flourishing; and her love was by her side. Then petty jealousy destroyed Belle's life.
Mrs. General U.S. Marshal William H. Richardson, a woman of such low importance that her very name is lost to us, hosted a party. It happened to be on the same day that Belle was having one of her dinners, so Mrs. Richardson was disappointed to find her house empty of gentlemen. The next time Mrs. Richardson saw Belle was at the American Theatre. She complained to the management that a mere prostitute should be permitted to sit in the first balcony, and in better seats than Mrs. Richarson's own. She demanded that the Coras be thrown out of the theater. The manager told her that Charles and Belle Cora were regular customers. Coras remained. Richardsons left.
The next night Cora met Richardson at the Cosmopolitan saloon where a mutual friend, Dr. Mills, formally introduced them. They had a few drinks with him and left together on peaceful terms. Richardson, however, could not hold his drink. He threatened to slap Cora, a threat that Cora reported to Dr. Mills asking for assistance, as he would not draw on a drunken man. Mills and other gentlemen present talked Richardson down.
The next day Richardson was seen drunk again, searching from bar to bar for Cora. It is said that when Richardson finally found Cora they first spoke peacefully, and Cora managed to walk Richardson out of a bar and across the street.
Some said that Richardson was unarmed1We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.. Others that he drew first. In either case, Cora shot Richardson in the chest and he died on the spot. Cora was arrested to keep him safe from lynchers. Belle spent more than $30,000 to secure comforts for Cora in jail, hire the city’s best lawyer (Col. E.D. Baker), and (prosecution claimed) bribe key witnesses. Another $40,000 was raised by a subscription among Charles' friends. Belle succeeded in getting a hung jury in a trial that historian Roger Lotchin called “grossly unfair” and which Gen. McDougall (assisting defense) called "judicial murder."2The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.
Cora may have been saved if not for the Second Vigilance Committee.
In the same week James King Of William3Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost. - editor of the Daily Evening Bulletin - was murdered by James Casey, member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors4Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.. King of William accused Casey of corruption and election fraud. He also called for Cora's hanging and declared his case to be an example of vice and corruption besetting the city5It was.. As a result, the two cases were conflated in the minds of the three thousand armed men of the Second Vigilante Committee. They set up Fort Gunnybags in front of the jail, rolled out two cannons, and demanded that Casey and Cora be handed over for execution.
In his last hours Charles Cora thought of Belle and did his best to secure her future. He called on Father Michael Alcotti, the founder of California's Jesuits, who braved the mob6Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C." to conduct a marriage ceremony. For two hours Arabella Ryan became Charles Cora's wife and then his widow7The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered. Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether. Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again..
Some say that Belle continued running the Cora House; others that she wept in her bedroom for a month and emerged to give away their fortune to charities, especially those that helped educate young children. She died before her fortieth year and is now buried next to Charles in Mission Dolores.
1We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.We'll never know: although Richardson was a U.S. Marshal, and although he was a denizen of a city where men habitually went armed, and although a cocked pistol and a knife were found near his hand - it is theoretically possible that Richardson was unarmed. Sure.
2The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.The evidence was based on Cora's character as a gambler and his relationship with Belle. Richardson's character as a known violent drunkard was ignored.
3Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost.Yes, really. His father was William King. He became "James King, (son) of William" to distinguish himself from the plethora of other James Kings in the area, and the comma got lost.
4Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.Killing or being killed on the job was not unusual for newspaper editors in these days. In fact, James P. Casey published a newspaper as well.
5It was.It was.
6Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C."Vigilantes opposed corruption, chattel slavery, Catholics, and Chinese Americans. Perhaps they simply disliked the letter "C."
7The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered. Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether. Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again.The hangman, one Sterling A. Hopkins, was soon afterwards severely wounded by California Supreme Court Justice David Terry, as Hopkins tried to kidnap a witness in court to prevent him from testifying. Unfortunately, he recovered.
Col. Baker was so outraged by the whole thing that he joined the party of Law and Order, and later left California altogether.
Richardson's widow collected $15,000 raised by soft-hearted citizens and was never heard of again.