maud allan
VIEW TRANSCRIPT OF LETTER
In 1895, she left her San Francisco home to study in Berlin. About two months after she left, her brother, Theo Durrant, was arrested for murdering two girls in the church they attended. In the following letter, Maud’s father, William Durrant, assures his daughter of her brother’s innocence and that the family will do whatever they can to free Theo. In the end, Theo was convicted of these crimes and was hanged in 1898. After her brother’s death, Maud completely abandoned the piano and began to interpret music through movement and joined the ranks of what historians call the forerunners of modern dance alongside her contemporaries Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, and Ruth St. Denis. (Letter from Maud Allan Collection)
transcript
Office of the Durrant Book and Shoe Co.
Manufacturers of Ladies’, Misses’ and Children’s
Fine Boots and Shoes
765 Mission St. between 3rd and 4th
San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 7, 1895
Dear Maud,
Don’t worry about those stories that you see in the papers. They are all false. We proved Theo’s good character and the Police could not find one person who could swear against him. Be brave and cheer up. We will come out all right in the end but it will take a little longer.
Mama is brave and keeping up remarkably well and sees Theo every day. He is also looking well. Our friends are stronger than ever and we have more now than before. I start work this week. I will get about half time. That is better than nothing.
Now Dear cheer up. We are very hopeful we will surely get a new trial. We have not had a fair show at all but we intend to have it at any cost.
Loving Papa
I am now going to see Theo and take your letter to him. Mama says she likes the silk sample.