LUCIA  ZARATE  III

In 1880, Lucia, Gen. Mite and two other little people, Commodore Foote and Jennie Quigley, embarked on a  European tour as members of the Lilliputian Opera Co. Afterward, Gen. Mite would pair up with the Chinese giant Chang and then with English little lady Millie Edwards.  It is not clear why Francis did not stay with Lucia as a team or if Lucia continued to travel alone. I do not find Lucia mentioned in American papers until 1884 so perhaps she did exhibit on her own, returning to the States in late 1883 or early 1884.

A fine photographic portrait of Lucia Zarate, European tour, early 1880's.  The photographic firm of Brown, Barnes & Bell had offices throughout Europe.

Charles Nestel as "Commodore Foote" and Jennie Quigley, London, early 1880's. The two were rumoured to be more than just friends but nothing ever came of it. Charles' devotions were always greater for his diminutive sister Eliza, the "Fairy Queen", with whom he was most often photographed. It would have been improper for an unmarried woman such as Jennie to travel in the company of an unmarried man, so Jennie's mom Jane travelled with her.  The life stories of Charles and Eliza Nestel and Jennie Quigley are waiting to be written for there is much recorded about their fascintating lives and appearances as performers.  All knew General Tom Thumb and all lived to a ripe old age.

This is a reproduction of a wood engraving courtesy of the Wellcome Library, London entitled "The Midgets in Picadilly".  The gentleman with the mustache would be Francis Uffner, "proprietor of midgets". The lady seated is his wife Eliza with their daughter. They are looking down on Chas. Nestel and Jennie Quigley who are standing behind Gen. Mite and Lucia.