To Miss New Orleans

Jackson Square in the Fog by Ann Fisher

The city winds in and out of my consciousness, a strong part of who I am.

I know the map of the French Quarter like the palm of my hand. I should. A master taught me.

Clint Bolton seduced me when I was fourteen. No, not in that way. But I did fall in love with him, and along with him, his New Orleans.

I met Clint Bolton at the Pendennis Club in New Orleans in August of 1979. My father belonged to Pendennis, and my parents had dragged me to a cocktail party there.

Yes, I said cocktail party. I was fourteen, it was New Orleans, and yes, I was drinking. Not a whole lot, mind you, but yes. Bored out of my mind, I expressed my desire to leave to my mother, and I said, “There is only one interesting person in the whole place — and he’s sitting over there.” I pointed to an old man sitting in a wheelchair having a dramatic conversation with the people gathered around him.

She said, “Fine. Since we are so dull, please,  — GO talk to him.”

My eyes narrowed. At this point in my life, I was exceedingly shy around people I didn’t know. Going up to a group of strange people, well, I’d rather die. But I knew a dare when I heard one.

I was shaking like a leaf when I approached the group of men. Clint saw me, held up his hand to stop the conversation. I think I stammered something about not wanting to interrupt.

“My dear, there is nothing more important than listening to a beautiful young woman.”

I got myself together, and simply said what I had to my mother — that I thought he was the most interesting person in the room. And then I introduced myself.

Clint Bolton, journalist from New Orleans
Clint Bolton, a journalist who lived the final part of his life in the French Quarter in New Orleans

Clint took my hand, drew me to the seat next to him — shooing away the other old gentleman who had been there.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

When my parents were ready to leave, I was with Clint and his group deep in conversation. His wife Pat had joined us, and we had concocted plans. Pat and Clint lived on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and they invited me to their home the next day. Clint and I were going to go for a walk in the Quarter. Pat had miserably bad arthritis, and since Clint had lost his leg a couple of years earlier, he couldn’t make the rounds very easily.

The following day, my mother took me down to 1231 Decatur Street. Pat invited her to come up for a drink some hours later, when she was due to come back for me.

I followed Pat up the stairs, got the “tour,” and met several of the half-dozen cats. The Bolton’s apartment consisted of three large, high ceilinged rooms.

The pocket doors between the rooms were never closed, so it was this wonderful, airy space. The living room had two floor-to-ceiling windows that one could walk through out onto the balcony over Decatur. Clint and Pat’s bedroom was in the middle, and the kitchen and dining space were at the very back. The door into the kitchen led out of the apartment to the stair landing. Clint did also have an office in the servant’s quarters in the back.

After a quick consultation, Clint decided we should make a sortie down Royal Street, stopping along the way to see a photographer friend of his.

Clint rolled towards the stair landing, locked the wheels, stood on his one leg and lowered himself onto the first step.

“Some fine lady friends of Pat’s met us out for lunch not too long after my amputation. One of them inquired about how I was getting up and down the stairs, since they knew the apartment was on the second floor.”

“On my ass, ladies, on my ass.”

In a high pitched voice, he squealed, “Oh! Oh! Mr. Bolton!”

He gave me a wickedly happy smile.

St Ann street Ann Fisher
In 1979, none of the sidewalks in New Orleans were wheelchair friendly. Clint and I learned to use the street lamps to navigate bad curbs.

That first day was more about me learning to maneuver that damned wheel chair about and down curbs all over. I weighed 105 pounds dripping wet. So did Clint. Add the weight of the wheelchair — I am telling you, this was challenging. Not the flat rolling, but the dang-blasted curbs and often low, uneven pavement right before them. So we got it figured out that afternoon. Every now and again, we would hit a particularly bad curb, so Clint would grab onto a light post, stand on his one leg, and I’d get the wheelchair up, and he would whump down in the seat again, and off we would go.

We made it back to 1231 Decatur just as my Mom rounded the corner, so we got the gate to the building opened and all went back to the steps.

Clint and I retold the “on my ass” bit, but this time, I did the high squeal,“Oh! Oh! Mr. Bolton!” And we laughed our way up the stairs, one back-ass-ward step at a time.

Pat opened the door, Clint rolled in, and said, “Pat, my darling, I do believe it is time to open that bottle of champagne.”

Ella Fitzgerald sings the Cole Porter song book
Two with one blow! Clint Bolton took on my musical education. And he took it very seriously.

While Pat darling was fetching glasses and champagne, Clint took me into the living room and began digging in his album collection while I looked around. Black and white photographs of jazz musicians, a faded watercolor of what looked like Thailand, picture of Clint in New York City circa the 1930’s, African masks and statues.

He handed an album to me.  “Like Ella Fitzgerald?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know Ella Fitzgerald??!  What about Cole Porter?”

“Cole Porter . . . ?”

“You’ve heard of Miles Davis? NO?”

“Well, we have to fix this RIGHT NOW, I say. RIGHT NOW.”

When Mom and Pat came into the room with the champagne, glasses, and little nibblies, Ella was singing. My mother and Pat took off their shoes — both of them had arthritis — and they were discussing issues with that.

What is this thing called love? Cole Porter -- this will link you to Ella singing it.
What is this thing called love? Cole Porter — this will link you to Ella singing it.

I suppose I am lucky that Clint didn’t give my mother a “what the hell are you teaching her” lecture about my abysmal knowledge of jazz, Gershwin, Porter, and all things holy in the American canon according to Bolton.  She was probably only saved by the fact that she and my father had taken me to Al Hirt’s club.

Clint popped the champagne, and as he poured the glasses, some spilled into my mother’s shoe. He immediately raised her shoe, drank the sip of champagne from it, and proclaimed, “it is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!”

And so my relationship with the Boltons was launched.

A few days later, the mail brought me a letter that Clint had written for me. And I began spending full weekends in the quarter.

Letter from Clint Bolton 1979 to Ann Fisher
Here is the letter from Clint.  The whole text of the letter is in my post, “Once Upon a Time.”

My intuition that day at the Pendennis Club was dead on . . . Clint was fascinating. As a high school student in New Jersey, he’d done summer stock acting, where he got to know Humphrey Bogart fairly well. His path crossed Bogie’s several times later in New York before Bogart made the transition to film. Clint was orphaned when he was in high school, and his aunt and uncle sent him to Princeton for university. It was not to Clint’s liking, so he ran away from college, got a job on a tramp steamer, and went to India.

In India, he turned to journalism, because with his prep school background, writing was something he did well. He learned fast and managed to get on with the Associated Press. While he was there, he interviewed Gandhi on one of his hunger strikes in the 1930’s. During World War II, he served with the Coast Guard in the Pacific.

Al Hirt's Club on Bourbon Street, around 1977.
Al Hirt’s Club on Bourbon Street, around 1977.

Clint took me all over the quarter. He knew everyone.

I met Al Hirt and his clarinetist Pee Wee Spitelera several times. And then there was the evening Clint took me to meet the mafia capo. I learned life lessons from Clint, two favorites being “how to drink any man under the table” and “how to break a glass on the edge of a bar.”

So much of my musical taste comes from long evenings on Decatur. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald. Tony Bennett. Gershwin.

And mostly, I learned . . . be sure to grab life up in your arms, hold it close. Don’t be afraid to meet new people.  LIVE.  See the world. Have adventures. Make love. Watch the sun creep down the wall in a piazza, while you sit in the shade and sip a cocktail. Listen to good music. Then write about all of it.

He was with me such a short time. On New Year’s Eve of 1979, Clint Bolton had a massive coronary. He lived. I saw him several times at Touro hospital. In April when he returned home, I was at 1231 Decatur as soon as I could get there. Pat unlocked the gate and I dashed up the stairs, too impatient to wait for her arthritic feet and knees.

Clint was sitting on the sofa, and when I came up to him, my heart nearly stopped. He was almost not there, he was so emaciated. I picked him up in my arms, and sat down with him on my lap. And we both wept. We said our I love yous and our goodbyes.

Waldren "Frog" Joseph gave Clint a jazz send-off.
Waldren “Frog” Joseph gave Clint a jazz send-off. Clicking on the album image will take you to Frog’s music.

Three days later, he was gone. Waldren “Frog” Joseph volunteered to do a jazz funeral for Clint — doesn’t happen very often for white folks. I can remember sitting  with the jazz musicians in the Bolton living room and eating after the funeral. I thought I was going to be sick. His absence in the room that was so much his was more than I could handle.

To you, Clint Bolton, my undying love. You have been one of the most important people in my life. Until we meet again as shades when I pass over.

On my last trip to New Orleans, just a few days ago now, the Mississippi River cloaked the French Quarter in fog.  Just after dawn, I wandered. Clint was with me, working, looking.

Down Decatur I could almost hear Ella’s silken voice.

This is a link to the entire Ella Fitzgerald album, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book. Oh, what a voice.

Clint

Tilting back in his chair

Ashes flew from his cigarette,

And the old man painted his scene.

Chin resting on her knees,

The girl sat

All rapt attention.

Armed with scotch and the love of his stories,

He wove threads of truth and fantasy.

Wreathed in blue smoke, the evening wore on.

A tired mule clopped past.

Stretched out on the balcony, the girl lay stroking a cat,

Dreaming.

Links below to two more pieces on Clint Bolton — written in his own words

Full text of the letter that Clint Bolton sent me in August of 1979: Once Upon a Time.

Clint’s article from 1979 called Mardi Gras Memories, which you will find transcribed here.

Clint Bolton, journalist from New Orleans
Clint Bolton — one of the great loves of my life.
St. Louis Cathedral in the morning fog. Photograph by Ann Fisher
St. Louis Cathedral in the morning fog. Photograph by Ann Fisher.

Ann in Castolon in Big Bend National Park. Photograph, Jim Stevens

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Copyright 2016 Ann Cavitt Fisher

Ann Fisher

Ann Fisher

Writer, traveler, and cancer fighter. Get out there and live life!

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29 thoughts on “To Miss New Orleans

  1. mycountryepoque March 10, 2018 at 12:17 am

    I couldn’t have read a better article than this one. Full of emotions, excitement you have met upon the way of knowing someone important and you took him under your wings, your friendships for him and him for you, the good lessons of life and journalism works, his social circle you joined in, not a lot of girls gets this interesting chance of a lifetime to remember. You are a great person Ann and thank you for posting and writing. Your are one of the best journalist so far that I have joined on Word Press!

    Reply
  2. jenruizwriter June 19, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    What a beautiful story! It’s so amazing when you make a connection with someone like that, I felt that way when I met Don George!

    Reply
    1. Ann June 19, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      I’ll bet — Don George is an amazing guy — and it’s wonderful you’ve had the chance to know him. I think anytime we have a chance to spend time with interesting people, it’s a special thing.

      Reply
  3. Ivy June 18, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    what a lovely story. Ive never had a childhood mentor so I can only imagine how much of an impact Clint had on your life. Heck, I couldn’t even have brought myself to start a conversation with a complete stranger at age 14. Thank you for sharing this story. I love the way you write- it felt like I was reading a novel!

    Reply
    1. Ann June 18, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      Ivy, thank you. I wouldn’t have started that conversation if it hadn’t seemed like a dare from my mother. Clint made a big impact on me — and my writing. Although I didn’t know then that I would ever be writing regularly.

      Reply
  4. Allison Wong June 18, 2017 at 3:15 am

    New Orleans sounds so magical to me. I’d seen so much stories about it on different medias. Would love to be immersed in its deep musical history and culture one day soon!

    Reply
  5. Cat June 18, 2017 at 2:18 am

    What a touching story! You’ve learned so much from him despite the short amount of time you knew each other. I could tell these memories hold a special place in your heart.

    Reply
    1. Ann June 18, 2017 at 12:42 pm

      Yes, I did. How odd it is that his 9 month friendship would end up influencing so much of the rest of my life.

      Reply
  6. Susan Ripley June 17, 2017 at 2:21 pm

    Wow what a story! It’s amazing how closely tied our feelings about a place we travel to are linked to those we meet there. New Orleans must have a very special place in your heart.

    Reply
    1. Ann June 18, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      I think it’s always the people that tie us to places. We may fall in love with beautiful places, but in the end, it’s the human connections that make us want to return.

      Reply
  7. Jenn and Ed Coleman June 14, 2017 at 12:02 am

    What a beautiful article. It turns out my childhood mentor, one Hugh Bolton, recently passed on. Instead of the French Quarter, we would wander the Short North of Columbus Ohio before it was fully gentrified. Clint and New Orleans sound like a sexier combination but my Bolton inspired me to a life of exploration and discovery, even if it was just the first steps down a long road. Every now and then, there are special people who move you deeply. The seeds they plant in your soul should be nourished, like a well tended garden, and always cherished.

    Reply
    1. Ann June 14, 2017 at 8:39 am

      Hi Jenn and Ed — so which one of you knew Hugh Bolton? I would love to hear some Short North stories! You are so right that people like Hugh and Clint live with us forever.

      Reply
  8. Browsing the Atlas June 13, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Wow. What a character. I can tell Clint made a huge impression on you. The only person I can relate him to is my great-grandmother. She was a hoot, too.

    Reply
    1. Ann June 14, 2017 at 8:36 am

      He was definitely a character — and sometimes a real pain in the ass, but then people with big personalities often are :). It sounds like you should write some stories about your great-grandmother if you haven’t already done so.

      Reply
  9. Visiting New Orleans? Six Ideas for What to Bring Home. – Ann Cavitt Fisher February 26, 2017 at 6:26 pm

    […] my blog may remember my story of Clint Bolton, the old journalist who lived in the Quarter (To Miss New Orleans). Clint took me into the Hové shop in 1979 — to buy his wife’s favorite perfume […]

    Reply
  10. jazzyjenness November 5, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Very interesting story. This is one of those feel good stories that one barely ever hears about. thank you. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ann November 6, 2016 at 2:00 pm

      Thank you. Clint was — something. I was lucky to have been dragged to the party with my parents.

      Reply
  11. dray0308 October 24, 2016 at 9:03 pm

    Reblogged this on DREAM BIG DREAM OFTEN and commented:
    Another great post on Ann Cavitt Fisher!!

    Reply
  12. krisheaven May 21, 2016 at 7:19 am

    How touching, Ann! such relationships are rare and quite deep.

    Reply
    1. Ann May 21, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Hi Kris, yes, Clint was important to me. I learned so much from him in the short time we knew one another.

      Reply
  13. Big River | Ann Cavitt Fisher March 7, 2016 at 7:06 pm

    […] trio of posts inspired by my recent visits begin here with To Miss New Orleans, about an old journalist who inspired my great love of the […]

    Reply
  14. Anne Marie February 29, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Fantastic! Really enjoying these posts 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ann February 29, 2016 at 5:33 pm

      Anne Marie, it makes me happy that you’ve enjoyed them. Clint was quite something, and he loved a good story. My goal with the three posts was to feel like, if he were here with me, he’d pat me on the shoulder and say, “My darling, hang up your hat and pour us a scotch. You got it done and you made me feel it.”

      Reply
  15. Mardi Gras Memories | Ann Cavitt Fisher February 27, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    […] First article on Bolton: To Miss New Orleans […]

    Reply
  16. Once Upon a Time | Ann Cavitt Fisher February 27, 2016 at 9:44 am

    […] To understand this post, you must start with “To Miss New Orleans,” an article that  te… Embed from Getty Images […]

    Reply
  17. Stephanie G Hosmer February 26, 2016 at 10:47 am

    I loved reading this story. Thank you very much for sharing it.

    Reply
    1. Ann February 26, 2016 at 10:52 am

      You are very welcome. I’ve kept Clint’s letters with me for thirty-seven years now . . . and I now worry that the world will forget him entirely, since he wrote so long before there was an internet. He was quite a character, and obviously tremendously important to me. I am busily transcribing one of his letter/stories now and will get it posted soon. Thank you for your interest!

      Ann

      Reply
  18. Michael Snook February 25, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    Great story !

    Reply
    1. Ann February 25, 2016 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks, Michael. Every time I’m in New Orleans, I feel Clint Bolton. I don’t think I’d be the same person if I’d missed knowing him.

      Reply

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