One article called "The Indian" complained that Arizonians were victims of the Apache Indians. It said the Apaches stole and damaged the people's belongings and properties. It also claimed the Apaches injured and killed the people of Arizona. The article complained more about the military, saying it sent an inadequate amount of troops to Arizona to defend the people from the "brutal nature" of the Apaches. It then gave a huge list of all the Indian attacks in a period of eighteen months and stated that the next year and a half could be just as deadly if more help was not sent promptly.
After reading the rest of the front page of this paper and doing additional research on Tucson in this time period, I composed a diary entry from the perspective of a Tucson resident in 1869. It is found below. Britannica High School, the Library of Congress, and the City of Tucson website were used for the additional research.
July 17, 1869
Dear diary,
I must confess this long string of violence in the area is quite distressing, and I muss express my worries. For over a year, there has been attack after attack and raid after raid from the Apaches. The ladies at the market usually have some news about it. My husband wishes for the military to send more troops as aid. Many men have been killed, I'm afraid. I've even heard of two hundred of mules and horses being stolen, all at a time, between the Miembros and Apache pass. It distresses me even more when I hear of women being held captive by the Apaches. Now, wouldn't that be terrifying? Yet it seemed a bit impersonal until now. There was an attack on a wagon around Sulfur Spring about a week ago. The men were forced to flee, leaving behind the mules and other expensive property. One man even died from thirst, as they then trekked by foot. The newspaper did report all this recently, but I heard much of the details about it from my sister, Margaret. She is acquainted with the wife of the man who perished. They are very close, in fact. I cannot bear to think what comes next for that poor woman. I hear they have five children, and only one young son!
I suppose all of this violence is to be expected in such a new area. Why, Arizona was part of Mexico only about fifteen years ago- within even Thomas' lifetime- and only became its own territory in 1862. I can only hope there is not much violence here in Tucson in the future. It is the territorial capital, and about 3,000 of us live here. Does that not allow a higher level of safety and sophistication for its people?
Thomas is away, all grown. My, my. I cannot believe it. He is hard at work on the Memphis and El Paso railroad. Apparently, in the last four months, this railway has been endorsed twice, and it is before Congress. It seems all the men ever talk about is these new railroads being built across the country, but I am glad for Thomas and his bright future with the company. When he writes home, he tells me that the Memphis and El Paso will be built within five years. He told me that there was even a proposal for the first 300 miles to be up and running by October of next year. I suppose that is remarkable, yet it saddens me to think of the next five years his father and I will share alone, without him. I worry for him, as well. Back in last January, I heard about an Indian attack on a Colonel Lewis' train in Tubac. The driver was injured. There was another train-related attack on May 11 on Camp Grant Road where three men died. I'm sure their are similar accounts throughout the West. I hope nothing of the sort happens to my boy.
I do wish to express my thoughts about news circulating from the South. I heard some gossip in the market today about a ruling from the Supreme Court in Georgia. It created quite a ruckus even out here in the West! Marriage was officially prohibited between white and black persons for the rest of time. It seems a bit silly to me. My husband refuses to talk about it with me, though, so I can only note it here. He says I shouldn't worry of such things.
I must go! The market and my duties are calling.
Anne
(Here is an image that reflects this diary entry.)
After reading the rest of the front page of this paper and doing additional research on Tucson in this time period, I composed a diary entry from the perspective of a Tucson resident in 1869. It is found below. Britannica High School, the Library of Congress, and the City of Tucson website were used for the additional research.
July 17, 1869
Dear diary,
I must confess this long string of violence in the area is quite distressing, and I muss express my worries. For over a year, there has been attack after attack and raid after raid from the Apaches. The ladies at the market usually have some news about it. My husband wishes for the military to send more troops as aid. Many men have been killed, I'm afraid. I've even heard of two hundred of mules and horses being stolen, all at a time, between the Miembros and Apache pass. It distresses me even more when I hear of women being held captive by the Apaches. Now, wouldn't that be terrifying? Yet it seemed a bit impersonal until now. There was an attack on a wagon around Sulfur Spring about a week ago. The men were forced to flee, leaving behind the mules and other expensive property. One man even died from thirst, as they then trekked by foot. The newspaper did report all this recently, but I heard much of the details about it from my sister, Margaret. She is acquainted with the wife of the man who perished. They are very close, in fact. I cannot bear to think what comes next for that poor woman. I hear they have five children, and only one young son!
I suppose all of this violence is to be expected in such a new area. Why, Arizona was part of Mexico only about fifteen years ago- within even Thomas' lifetime- and only became its own territory in 1862. I can only hope there is not much violence here in Tucson in the future. It is the territorial capital, and about 3,000 of us live here. Does that not allow a higher level of safety and sophistication for its people?
Thomas is away, all grown. My, my. I cannot believe it. He is hard at work on the Memphis and El Paso railroad. Apparently, in the last four months, this railway has been endorsed twice, and it is before Congress. It seems all the men ever talk about is these new railroads being built across the country, but I am glad for Thomas and his bright future with the company. When he writes home, he tells me that the Memphis and El Paso will be built within five years. He told me that there was even a proposal for the first 300 miles to be up and running by October of next year. I suppose that is remarkable, yet it saddens me to think of the next five years his father and I will share alone, without him. I worry for him, as well. Back in last January, I heard about an Indian attack on a Colonel Lewis' train in Tubac. The driver was injured. There was another train-related attack on May 11 on Camp Grant Road where three men died. I'm sure their are similar accounts throughout the West. I hope nothing of the sort happens to my boy.
I do wish to express my thoughts about news circulating from the South. I heard some gossip in the market today about a ruling from the Supreme Court in Georgia. It created quite a ruckus even out here in the West! Marriage was officially prohibited between white and black persons for the rest of time. It seems a bit silly to me. My husband refuses to talk about it with me, though, so I can only note it here. He says I shouldn't worry of such things.
I must go! The market and my duties are calling.
Anne
(Here is an image that reflects this diary entry.)
This is awesome! Your writing sounded like a real journal entry from this time. The information you used makes sense along with your story line.:)
ReplyDeleteWow! That was an amazing entry, your word choice really reflects the time period and how much you really understand what you were reading and researching!
ReplyDeleteThis letter sounds like it was actually written from this time period! This letter is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteReally like this! It is written really well!
ReplyDeleteThis was amazing, I really liked the way you used a question in the second paragraph. This is like a novel its perfect I really like your writing style.
ReplyDeleteA promising start for a novel!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Anne is a deeply developed character.
ReplyDeleteI like the concerned woman/mother's perspective. It stands out from all the other blogs I've read. Good job
ReplyDelete