Heloise McCeney (January 19, 1876 – after 1920), stage name La Belle Titcomb, was an American vaudeville performer known as The Parisian Dancer on Horseback.[1] Her act usually had her riding upon a white horse while singing operatic arias.[2]
La Belle Titcomb | |
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 NYPL Digital Collection | |
| Born | January 19, 1876 Washington, District of Columbia, United States |
| Occupation | Vaudeville entertainer |
| Years active | 1867–1903 |
Biography
editHeloise McCeney [3] was born on January 19, 1876, in Washington, D.C.,[4] the daughter of Robert and Anna (née Broom) McCeney.[3] Robert McCeney, a native of Washington D.C., served as secretary for the National Fair Association in Washington.[3] He died in San Leandro, California, on December 9, 1898, after a short bout with pneumonia.[5]
McCeney had a diamond tooth[6] and her act was described by the El Paso Herald in 1909 as "an equestrian act of such a thrilling nature that a reporter couldn't put it all on paper."[7]
Marriages
editHeloise McCeney's first marriage was to a San Francisco dentist, Charles B. Titcomb. Her second marriage, to Waine Weinerbet (his last name was given as "McEinbett" in a contemporary New York Times article) ended in divorce on May 13, 1910,[8] in Chicago on the grounds of "extreme cruelty."[9]
Her third marriage was to fellow vaudeville performer Nat M. Wills on May 23, 1910.[9] It was a civil ceremony, where New York Alderman, Hannon, performed the service.[9] The couple honeymooned in Europe after the wedding.[9] Upon their divorce four years later, she received a substantial alimony settlement which led to a legal battle to have the amount reduced after Wills married actress May Day (actress).[10]
Titcomb kept her married name after their divorce and listed herself as a widow after Wills died in 1917.[11] La Belle Titcomb continued to perform all over the world, though scant record of her exists after 1920.
Gallery
edit-
La Belle Titcomb
(ca. 1900) -
La Belle Titcomb
(ca. 1900)
NYPL Digital Collection -
La Belle Titcomb in 1909
References
edit- ^ The New York Times –Jan. 15, 1910
- ^ Slide, Anthony. The Vaudevillians: a Dictionary of Vaudeville Performers. (New York: Arlington House, 1981).
- ^ a b c 1880 US Census Records
- ^ U.S. Passport Application
- ^ The Oakland Tribune – December 21, 1898
- ^ "Clipped From The Los Angeles Times". Her Diamond Tooth this Actress Lost. 1905-06-23. p. 13. Retrieved 2020-03-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Girl with the Diamond Tooth". El Paso Herald. 1909-04-14. p. 9. Retrieved 2020-03-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nat Wills Weds Heloise Titcombe. - View Article - NYTimes.com" (PDF). New York Times. 1910-05-24. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ^ a b c d Wills and Wife Off for Europe (1910-05-24). "Clipped From The Washington Times". The Washington Times. p. 13. Retrieved 2020-03-17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "LIGHTS OF PARAGUAY GLOW AT WALDORF - G. L. Rickard, Returned Ranchman, Shows Worm and Bug-like Living Dynamos. GREEN AND RED LIGHTS Like Tiny Railroad Train and Automobile Moving in the Dark - Natives Use Them for Candles. - View Article - NYTimes.com" (PDF). New York Times. 1915-04-14. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
- ^ "Ancestry.com". Search.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2013-10-19.