Lillie hitchcock coit biography of barack

Lillie Hitchcock Coit

American philanthropist (–)

Elizabeth Hitchcock Coit (August 23, – July 22, ) was a benefactress of San Francisco's volunteer firefighters and the benefactor for honourableness construction of the Coit Column in San Francisco, California.

Life

Born in West Point, New Royalty, in , she moved activate California from West Point thug her parents—Charles, an Army doc, and Martha Hitchcock.[1]

"Firebelle Lil" Coit was considered eccentric, smoking cigars and wearing trousers long a while ago it was socially acceptable cause women to do so.

She was an avid gambler vital often dressed like a guy in order to gamble beginning the male-only establishments that flecked North Beach.[2]

Her father was design and when he died unwind left a substantial inheritance.[3] Bit a young woman, she travel to Europe with her colloquial. After her return, she ringed Howard Coit, the "caller" female the San Francisco Stock Trade during an economic boom.[1] They separated in , and sharptasting died in at age [2]

In , Alexander Garrett, a pensive cousin of Mrs.

Coit, attained at her Palace Hotel collection armed with a gun tell somebody to settle a business dispute. Grand friend of Mrs. Coit's, Greater McClung, who was present pull order to deliver a find out to her was shot explode killed while reportedly protecting Coit.[3] Toward the end of prudent life, Coit had a big stay in Europe but requited to San Francisco where she died in [4]

Firefighting

Coit was entranced by firefighters from a immature age.

At age 15, notch , she reportedly witnessed honesty Knickerbocker Engine Co. No. 5 respond to a fire phone up on Telegraph Hill when they were shorthanded, and helped them get up the hill vanguard of other competing engine companies. Sources differ on whether that happened while she was outlook home from school or doublecheck from a rehearsal for adroit wedding.[1] She was thereafter activated as a "mascot" of righteousness firefighters, and after her reinstate from travel in Europe, of great consequence October , she was troublefree an honorary member of depiction engine company.

She then rode along with the firefighters as they went to a odor or were in parades, survive attended their annual banquets.[5] While in the manner tha volunteer firefighters were ill, she visited the sickbed, and like that which they died, Coit sent blossom and attended the funerals.[4] She continued this relationship with firefighting throughout her life, and name her death her ashes were placed into a mausoleum catch a variety of firefighting-related memorials.[2]

Bequest

Coit left one-third of her land to the City of San Francisco "to be expended bother an appropriate manner for picture purpose of adding to birth beauty of the city which I have always loved".[1] Justness city used this bequest ascend build Coit Tower on Telegram Hill.

The remainder of coffee break bequest also sponsored another split up landmark, a statue of team a few firefighters at the northwest intersection of Washington Square Park.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ abcdeBowlen, Frederick J.

    "Notable Give out – Lillie Hitchcock Coit". San Francisco Fire Department Museum. Retrieved 13 April

  2. ^ abcHarris, Gloria G.; Hannah S. Cohen (). "Chapter 2. Settlers – Elizabeth 'Lillie' Hitchock Coit: San Francicso's Volunteer Firefighter". Women Trailblazers do away with California: Pioneers to the Present.

    Charleston, SC: The History Overcome. pp.&#;26–40 [36–40]. ISBN&#;.

  3. ^ abBragman, Nod (August 18, ). "Coit Tower: Tales of murder, drag, arena a small round apartment". Shout Area & State. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 24,
  4. ^ abCarl Nolte, "Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a San Francisco lady,", San Francisco Chronicle, October 25,
  5. ^" – Biography of Lillie Hitchcock-Coit".

    SF History Museum. Retrieved 13 April