The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 6, February 6, 2005, Article 11

JERRY BARNDT, NORTON IMPERSONATOR

Last week we discussed plans for honoring California
scrip-issuer Emperor Norton. On Sunday, January 30,
2005 the San Francisco Chronicle published the obituary
of a longtime Emperor Norton fan:

"Jerry A. Barndt, a retired teacher who was best known
for taking on the persona of Emperor Norton, the 19th
century San Francisco character who proclaimed himself
emperor of the United States and protector of Mexico,
has died.

Mr. Barndt was 71 when he died of a heart attack outside
his Petaluma home on Jan. 12.

Mr. Barndt admired Norton so much that he often dressed
as the emperor, complete with a faded military frock coat,
golden epaulettes and a top hat crowned with feathers. He
also had a salt-and-pepper beard trimmed in the style
favored by Emperor Norton, and he carried a large
wooden walking stick. He regularly wore his Norton
costume to events staged by E Clampus Vitus, a group of
whimsical historians. "

"According to Richard Saber, former Noble Grand Humbug
of the Yerba Buena chapter of E Clampus Vitus, Mr. Barndt
had also acquired some of Norton's personal traits, including
a regal manner. He also had a bank account in the name of
Emperor Norton and issued checks in his name."

"Mr. Barndt's last appearance was Jan. 8, at the annual
commemoration of Norton's death held by E Clampus
Vitus at the emperor's grave at the Woodlawn Cemetery
in Colma. Mr. Barndt's arrival was greeted by a fanfare
from the band in attendance, and he gave a few remarks
on behalf of the emperor.

After leaving the ceremony, Mr. Barndt, who was driving
a pickup truck, was stopped by Colma police for carrying
people in the back of the pickup. According to Saber,
who was there, the police let him off with a warning. "They
said it wouldn't be right to give a ticket to the emperor of
the United States,'' Saber said."

To read the full article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum