Women of the West

Comment by Bandida on September 25, 2009 at 10:40am

thanks

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 25, 2009 at 10:45am

Hello all, I set this group up because women's history is a passion of mine. There are so many fascinating stories of women in the old west. Their stories need to be told. Please feel free to contribute to this group.

Comment by Missi on September 25, 2009 at 10:45am

How funny that it's the same name of our fashion show group!

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 25, 2009 at 11:00am

WHETHER SHE WAS addressed as Madame or Ma’am, Señorita or Squaw, a woman needed guts to live out West. The ‘weaker sex’ encountered savage, brutal and obnoxious obstacles (and these were just the men!), not to mention mean ol’ Mother Nature and a plague or two. Or three. In spite of these barriers, or maybe because of them, the American frontier attracted legions of nonconforming women–mavericks, loners, eccentrics and adventurers. And through it all they kept their sense of humor: ‘I’ve got 350 head of cattle and one son,’ said a widowed ranchwoman. ‘Don’t know which was harder to raise.’
From the history.net

Comment by Basket on September 26, 2009 at 9:41am

Wado for the invite, vgila Tseasequah. Here is a woman that I have admired for years of the Modoc people.


WinemaKaitchkona Winema, aka: Toby Riddle, Woman Chief (1848-1932) - A Modoc woman better known simply as Winema, she was born in the spring of 1848. She received her name, Kaitchkona Winenta, meaning "The Strong Hearted Woman," or less accurately, "The Little Woman Chief” because as a child, she guided a canoe safely through the rapids of Link River. She justified her title when, at the age of 15, she rallied the Modoc warriors as they took to flight when surprised by a band of Achomawi.

After she grew up she became the wife of Frank Riddle, a miner from Kentucky. When the Modoc left the Klamath Reservation in 1872 to return to Lost River, Frank served as interpreter to the various commissions that worked with them. After they had fled to the lava-beds and had defeated a detachment of soldiers, the Government decided to send a commission of men to arrange a peace agreement. Winema warned Commissioner Meacham of the murderous temper of Captain Jack and some of his followers. Convinced, Meacham warned his fellow commissioners, General Edward Canby and Reverend E. Thomas that their lives were in danger, but could not swerve them from their purpose. When Modoc shaman, Shonchin John, threatened to kill her unless she confessed who had betrayed the plot, she declared that she was not afraid to die and Captain Jack forbade Shonchin John to shoot a woman. When General Canby refused to withdraw the troops from the lava beds, the Modoc Chief gave the signal and Canby and Thomas were killed. When Shonchin then turned his rifle upon Meacham, Winema, who was present as interpreter, pleaded for his life, placing herself between the assassins and the victim. However, Meachham was shot anyway, but she saved him from being scalped when she cried out that the soldiers were coining, where upon the assassins fled. Though severely wounded, Meachham survived, thanks to Winema. When the soldiers finally came, she advanced alone to meet them.

Afterwards, a crippled Meacham took Winema, her husband, Frank, and her son, Jeff, to the east to continue his intercession on behalf of the Indians, especially the Modoc, even though they had almost killed him. In 1874, Meacham developed a lecture-play entitled, “Winema,” that told eastern listeners of the Modoc War and the reasons which led to the uprising. The troupe, which included Winema, Frank, and their son Jeff, as well as several other Modoc Indians, toured until 1881.

When the tour was over, Winema returned to Oregon where she lived quietly until her death on the reservation on May 30, 1932. She was buried in the Modoc Cemetery. The Winema National Forest is named for her.

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 26, 2009 at 10:08am

Wado, Basket! Good to see you here, my friend. I had heard of Toby Riddle but did not know the whole story. Thank you for sharing that. She was an amazing, strong woman. I also admire Sarah Winnemuca..I think I will post her story...

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 26, 2009 at 10:14am

Born the daughter of Chief Winnemucca of the Paiutes, a tribe in Nevada and California, Sarah Winnemucca lost family members in the Paiute War of 1860. She tried to operate as a peacemaker, using her language skills learned in convent school to work as an interpreter in an Army camp. She went with her tribe to the Malheur reservation in 1872, and when the Bannock War broke out in 1878 she offered her services to the Army. She volunteered to enter Bannock territory when she learned that her father and other tribesmen had been taken hostage by the Bannocks. She freed her father and other captives and served as an army scout in the war against the Bannocks. She spoke out, describing the plight of her people, exiled from their homelands, and the treachery of dishonest Indian agents. She drew much attention, and was able to speak with President Rutherford Hayes and Interior Secretary Carl Schurz; promises to return her tribe to the Malheur Reservation were never honored. She wrote Life Among the Piutes[sic]: Their Wrongs and Claims, published in 1883. Despite passage of Congressional legislation enabling the return of the Paiute land, the legislation was never enacted.
However, a lifetime of crusading had taken its toll on Sarah's physical and emotional state. She gave up her fight, and moved to a sister's home in Monida, Montana where she died of tuberculosis at age 47. Sarah Winnemucca was called "The Princess" by whites; "Mother" by the Paiutes, and "The most famous Indian woman on the Pacific Coast" by historians. The City of Winnemucca, Nevada carries her family name, and Sarah's memory.

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 26, 2009 at 10:37am

One thing I would like to bring out in this group are more stories of little known women of the west. We all know about Annie Oakley, Belle Starr etc but there were thousands of women who did extraordinary things and really made a difference. Not to mention the women who just lived their lives and raised their children under grim circumstances.

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 26, 2009 at 10:38am

Anyone got any stories about their female ancestors in the west?

Comment by Ginny Morgan on September 27, 2009 at 4:45pm

Transcript of original document:
Polk County O.T. Nov 15 Ad 1858

I humbly Beg o f the Legislator of oregon to grant me a bill of divorcement for I cannot live with Mr Judson he misuses me in everry shape he is capable of doing he has knocked me down and scolded me and deemeaned me in everry shape and lyed on me as bad as any one could lly on another and does not Provide for me Nor the family as he aught to do But has squandered all that father has givin mee and has squandered every thing wee have in the world and has mortgaged my land and his and it is all gone and he is not able to support me nor the Children neither is he capable of takin care of us the children are ragged and go not fit to bee seen and have to depend on the Neigbors for their bread and do not get mutch of that I have not lived with Mr Judson since the first of last December Ad 1857 from that time to this I have had to support my self as best I could and the children has been Poorly taken care of for they have had to take care of them selves in a maner that is too of them for I have one of them with me sending him to scool the yongest a little boy the other too is down at Clatsap where he keeps them have stalved and half naked My Children has never bee to school of any consiquenc and he never will sene them I have three children one little girl 10 years olde the 10 day of next december one boy 12 years olde 22 of February next the yongest is alittle boy 7 years olde the 26 day of may next and he knows more than all the rest for I have been sendding him to school ever since wee parted Now if it will please your honerble boddy to give me a bill and give me the Children I will every Pray ec

I ever remain your humble friend
Mrs Nancy Judson

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