02.06.08
THE NEW DISCOVERING HISTORY WEBSITE
Please visit my new site at
http://web.mac.com/discoveringhistory
11.18.07
Joy and Frustration
In the space of 24 hours I have experienced JOY and FRUSTRATION. The joy- my research trip to Darlington, South Carolina. The frustration– my MacBook hard drive died. So, I have lost not only documents and photos but my email address book, my web site software and access to the new Discovering History site and quite honestly my patience. I am using an old comptuer, a back up machine. This is terribly hard for me, I have been so used to my MacBook and its wonderful features that I have come to be so reliant upon.
However, the trip to Darlington and the research that I was able to do, the information that I gained and the new friends that I have made outweights the frustration and sadness of the computer. By Wednesday I should be up and running again and will spend Thanksgiving rebuilding my computer life and getting back up to speed!
Take a look at the new site for Discovering History and let me know what you all think. Go to the Welcome page for this site and click on the link for the new web site. I think and hope you will enjoy it as much as I love putting it together.
Gorgeous fall day here, sunny, warm, breezy. Watching STAGECOACH with John Wayne. This cast is amazing, John Wayne and a cast of future greats– the actors that portrayed Gerald O’Hara and Link Appleyard are in the film. Great movie. I highly encourage you to watch this one. John Wayne rides atop a galloping Overland Stage Coach with carbine in hand to ward off Apaches on the attack! It is classic!
10.29.07
A Shameless Plug in the Caue of History
This dear readers is a shameless plug in the cause of history. I am currently, if you have been reading, engage in research about a family from South Carolina that came to Kansas Territory in 1856. Below is an article I have written for some living history and historical society newsletters to get people motivated to attend a talk I am giving in Lecomptin, KS in February 2008. Why Lecompton you may ask? Well, for starters it is a really neat town, very small, quaint and very historical. Lecompton is home to Contitution Hall, the federally recognized capitol of Kansas Territory, Lane University named for Senator James Henry Lane (one of KS first senators) and is situated on the banks of the Kaw River. In short, Lecompton IS history!
Danger at Her Very Door
Elizabeth Brunson Hoole’s Territorial Kansas Experience
Douglas City, K.T.
Apl. 14th, 1856
My dear mother,
I came to this place last Saturday, after staying at that nasty Abolition town of Lawrence for a week. This is called a City, but there are only four little log houses in it, but it is laid out into lots for a town, and I expect one day it will be. The capital, Lecompton, is two miles from here, but they are going to build the state university at this place. It is situated close on the Kansas River, and I consider it the prettiest site for a town in the Territory.
– Axalla John Hoole, Kansas Territorial Settler
A bride but a few hours, Elizabeth Brunson Hoole left the comforts of her South Carolina family and home to follow her husband, Axalla John Hoole, to the primitive town of Douglas City, Kansas Territory. From Axalla’s description Douglas City was hardly a place to take his new bride. Born to one of Darlington, South Carolina’s leading landowning families, Betsie was accustomed to the finer things life had to offer. Axalla, on the other hand, came from a family with a sterling reputation but little material wealth when compared to his bride’s family. What would drive a man to take his wife to such an untamed place as Kansas Territory? For Axalla the answer was simple—a sense of duty.
A member of the Darlington County Rifles, a teacher and community leader, Axalla Hoole had built a reputation of honesty, hard work and trustworthiness that was admired and respected in Darlington. As his wife, Betsie would be expected to support her husband as he answered the call to duty. In South Carolina from 1854-1861 young men were called upon to leave family and home and travel the arduous 1200 miles to Kansas Territory to ensure that she would enter the Union as a slave state. Spurred on by the Southern Emigrant Aid Society and other civil minded organizations, South Carolinians came to Kansas Territory in great numbers. With men like Dr. J. M. Pelot and the South Carolina Kansas Commission writing letters to South Carolina papers like the Darlington Flag, men like Hoole were stirred to aid the cause of Southern Rights in Kansas Territory. His plan was simple—settle in the territory, help establish a solid Southern presence, vote and ensure that Kansas entered the Union as a slave state with no violence. No mention of women is made in the articles pleading for men and materials. Betsie would be unique amongst her peers, she was a loyal Southern woman that made the trek. While Kansas territory is filled with the stories of Abolitionist women that suffered the slings and arrows of life in the territory, little is mentioned about their Southern compatriots. With the exception of the story of Mahala Doyle of the infamous Potawattomie Creek Massacre, Southern women’s voices are long silenced in the pages of territorial history. Viewed in this light, Betsie becomes the standard bearer for her age.
After a week of travel at the expense of over $100, Axalla and Betsie had not yet reached the “territory”. Writing from Kansas City, Missouri in April 1856, Axalla gives a narrative account of their travels and sets the scene of political affairs in the territory. His letters tell of travel up the Missouri River from St. Louis wondering if Abolitionists were aboard ship. Wild rumors of cannons, Sharps rifles and other armaments on board sparked Hoole’s fear for their safety and from all indication Betsie kept to their berth and was seen little onboard. Vivid descriptions of whiskey swilling Georgians and slick hucksters paint a portrait of danger around every corner while on Ship. If this were not enough, the first weeks of their time spent in the territory was in the town of Lawrence. As later letters would illustrate, the Hoole’s much preferred the surroundings of Lecompton to Lawrence. Perhaps Lecompton reminded Axalla of his beloved Darlington or he saw the promise of a bright future in the fledgling community.
Upon arrival their arrival in Lecompton, the Hoole’s decided to settle in the newly growing community of Douglas City. Nothing remains of Douglas City today. Her presence is all but erased by the waters of the Kaw River. The 1857 Stuck Map shows the town with four occupied dwellings and several other plots established for future growth. Until they were able to secure their own lodgings, Betsie and Axalla lived with a family from Missouri that were recent arrivals themselves. Axalla’s letters home to Darlington describe the family as good Southern folk, amiable and helpful. For a newly married couple sharing close quarters was not desirable and Axalla worked to fashion a home for himself and his bride. While living in Douglas City, Betsie and Axalla lived on borrowed time as did other settlers in the territory. With the river to their north and the roads to Lawrence and Topeka to their East and West, the young couple were geographically in a precarious position. With the violence of the spring of 1856, including the Pottawatomie Creek Massacre, the Battle of Osawatomie and various raids upon pro and anti slavery settlements, Axalla wrote home and detailed the measures he took to ensure that he and Betsie were safe. Baring the door, sleeping with a revolver, home stocked pistol, a rifle and ax Axalla knew too well the danger of bands of men that attacked after dark. A knock at the door and the question “Are you sound on the goose” could mean life and death dependent upon who was asking the question and how one answered. This sense of danger was heightened when Betsie and Axalla became the parents of Ada Constantia, born in December 1856. With southern emigration slowing and free state settlers coming in increasing numbers, Axalla began to question his decision to move to Kansas Territory. With a baby now part of the equation, the safety and comfort of his wife and child took precedence over the cause of Kansas. In 1857 Axalla, Betsie and Ada would make the 1200 mile return trip to Darlington. Axalla Hoole would resume his career teaching and rejoin his Darlington Rifleman militia unit upon his return. With the secession of South Carolina from the Union in 1861 his unit would be mustered into service as the 8th South Carolina Infantry, Co. A. Once again, Axalla Hoole would answer the call to duty as would his dutiful wife Betsie and their children. But this is yet another story!
To best understand Betsie Hoole and her times, she must be given a voice with which to speak. As a part of the Bleeding Kansas Lecture Series I will help give Betsie her voice. Join me on February 24th at Constitution Hall as we meet Betsie Hoole, learn about the dangers at her door in Douglas City and what happened to her when she returned to South Carolina. My program will combine a first person living history interpretation and scholarly talk to learn more about Betsie Hoole. My research for this program has taken me from Topeka to the Kaw River in search of the historical footprints of Douglas City to Charleston and Darlington, South Carolina in search of Axalla and Betsie. Join me as I take you along on my adventure to discover Elizabeth Brunson Hoole and honor her courage in the face of danger at her very door.
10.26.07
On the Road to Understanding
For many the path to understanding takes them to church, a house of worship, outside to the glory of nature or somewhere tangible where they can gain the trainquility that leads to understanding life, what it is all about and what is a person’s place in the universe, heavy stuff, I know. For me, the road to udnerstanding always leads backwards…into the past. I look at the past as a foreign country in a way. It is America but a different American, an America where the faces and experiences are more akin to our European ancestors than our modern world of Blackberries, instant messaging, texting, email, DVR’s and satellite television. To me the road to understanding has to take one back into the past so we can see where we have come from, how we have evolved as a society (or devolved as some of my friends would argue), what progress we have made, what we have gained as well as what we have lost.
To understand myself, I look into the eyes of women from the past, read their words, hear their voices. While they may no longer physically speak to us if you listen hard enough and look long enough at the pieces of history that they have left behind you will find they speak volumes to us today.
10.16.07
The Thrill of Discovery
I firmly believe that the secrets of history, be they great or small ones, are meant to be discovered. Sometimes the road to the eventual discovery of historical facts, new knowledge, or those tidbits that change our views is littered with hours spent in archives to no avail or with little thrill of discovery. This past weekend I had the chance to experience the thrill of discovery and the opening of doors to gain new insight into a family that lived in Kansas Territory from 1856-1857. While tramping around the countryside near Lecompton, KS (in between Topeka and Lawrence) I had the chance to see how mother nature can change the face of history literally. The town of Douglas, which at one time boasted a handful of log homes in the territorial era, has been totally consumed by the Kaw River and its silty deposits. Riverbanks and shallow areas now were once the streets of Douglas where Axalla John and Bestie Hoole walked and lived from 1856-1857. This little town is where Ada Constantia, their only daughter, was born. This is where Axalla wrote that he had to bar his door at night, sleep with a revolver, pistol and all manner of weapon to protect himself and his family from midnight attacks. To stand on a sandbar and look over to where Douglas was and know that I will neverbe able to walk the street unless I hop in a boat and row out into the snake infested waters (which we all know I will not do) is on the one hand sad and frustrating but on the other beguling. Now Axalla and Betsie’s life has a little tinge of mystery to it that I will neer be able to solve that will always keep me engaged in their story. It is said that once I research a woman frmo Bleeding Kansas she becomes a part of me. I have spent the better part of five years researching Mahala Doyle of the Potawattomie Creek massacre and some days I think I am no close to understanding her than I was when I started…but the thrill of discovery keeps me going. Betsie Hoole has driven me to go to South Carolina, I want to see her face, walk the streets of Darlington, South Carolina where she walked, go the grave of her beloved Axalla and look down at his fate as she did. I need to walk in those footsteps even for one day to try and understand this woman, who she was, how she lived. What a wonderful obsession!
10.13.07
Roberta Villa I am NOT!
Well, today I remembered why I need to hire out some kinds of work in my house. Roberta Villa I am NOT and Tammy the Toolgirl Taylor I indeed am! Unlike Dorothy who can click her heels and go home, Samantha who is bewitched and can wiggle her nose and make things happen or Jeanie who can nod and make the world right, I am not that great with some household chores. Taking down, washing and putting back up MUCHO curtains is NOT my forte. Taking photos, dancing at a Civil War ball, researching the history of some obscure people in Kansas Territory, heck yeah! That I am great at….housework, not so hot.
Suffice it to say OUCH and OH NO are words that were commonplace out of my mouth today. More than OUCH was muttered when I did a lovely back flop off the chair I was standing on hanging LONG rods with heavy curtains and hit the footboard of my bed and then teh floor. Glad I have carpet in the bedroom…cushioned the fall. She who falls off of things would be my American Indian name for sure. Good thing I am going to a reenactment tomorrow and then to Lecompton for research on Sunday. Yikes, another day of housework and I might really hurt myself.
10.11.07
Bringing History to Life on Film
Well, since last blog entry I have been working on a national park service film project- a new film for the Fort Scott National Historic site visitor center. That is my kind of fun! I had the chance to see many friends and have a great time, if you call long days, hard work and lots of running like a chicken with your head cut off fun. Well, I do anyway. Whenever I work on a film project of any kind that involve history I always walk away wondering if we have done justice to the past, have we really been able to capture the past, its spirit, its essence and bring it to life for those that will see the final product. I worry that we rely on our technology and modern ways so much that maybe we are not able to truly appreciate the past for what it was and lessons that it holds for today’s modern world. I portrayed a woman going to the public auction of the buildings that comprised the fort and Emma Morley, a young woman that came to Fort Scott during the Civil War and tended to wounded soldiers in the hospital after the battle of Mine Creek. Speaking of Mine Creek, this weekend I will portray Barbara Jane Dolson. The battle of Mine Creek took place in her yard, she was the angel of the battlefield there. I got to hand pick my “husband” Mel Dolson, who will be portrayed wonderfully by my dear friend Maj. Kendall Gott, US Army Ret. from Fort Leavenworth. He cuts an impressive modern and 19th century figure any way you slice it!
Reading, researching and getting ready for my big speech in February for the Bleeding Kansas 2008 Symposium in Lecompton. Ordered a new 19th century replica lap desk, am looking for a small antique table and chair and am working like a mad woman to get inside the head of Betsie Hoole. How she endured the hardships of KS Territory are beyod me. Life is good, work is plentiful and challenging and I am very happy!
10.04.07
Heading North, to Fort Scott…home sweet old home!
Tonight I am packing the Pontiac Vibe for a trip north to Fort Scott. This weekend and early next week I am involved in the filming of a new visitor center film for Fort Scott National Historic Site, my living history home! I have put in more volunteer hours in living history clothing at that post than I can count. This weekend I am a reenactor on film and a production photographer when not being filmed. That to me is the best of borth worlds! I get to stay with my friend Carolyn and my dear friend Rosemary is coming in from Nebraska for the shoot as well. It will be like old home week, except we don’t have to stay when it is done and get to come back to our new hosues and new lives away from FOSC (that’s national park service lingo for Fort Scott National Historic Site). After FOSC I hope I get a bit of a break…to relax. I think a trip to Eureka Springs is in order to see the fall colors and maybe relax, ha-ha! That is highly unlikely but I can always wish!
South Carolina…my kind of heaven!
September 25, 2007 - Tuesday
The Sense of Place
Current mood: touched
I have been doing research today. South CArolina Historical Scoiety, Confederate Museum, Library, Fort Sumter…what great places to work. Was struck with something interesting today- the core of the Confederate command structure were red, white and blue West Point! I think what I admire about the Confederates, especially a man like Stonewall Jackson, is the fact they were willing to stand for their home. At that time in our nation’s history we really didn’t have the sense of “nationalism” or “national identity” that we do today. That really was not formed until after the Spanish-American War really. WWI really cements the idea of American nationalism. Most Americans identified themselves with their state. To them their state was their world, remember in the early to mid 19th century most Americans had not traveled more than 75 miles from their place of birth. Those that traveled extensively were a rare breed. As a historian I also appreciate the suffering of the southern people on the homefront. Some of the material and spiritual suffering that was brought home in the south is only matched by the depravity of the war in KS/MO from 1854-1865. To me having an affinity for and respect and appreciation for the South has nothing to do with slavery, politics, economics. it is the fact they were willing to do what they did for their homes and firesides. To me that should be rightly commended. If you read the diary or letter of the average soldier, he cared nothing of economics, slavery or politics. All he knew was that the nothern troops were called for by Lincoln, the south was being invaded and that his home and family were in danger…and they had to rise to the occasion like the minutemen of old. History is written by the victors…and sometimes that history is written with political objectives in mind. I think there are millions of stories in the south and trans-Mississippi west that are yet to be told, we have to be open minded and willing to accept a history that has been presented as un-American and dirty.
Dispatches from the Confederate States of America, AKA The South!
September 24, 2007 - Monday
Charleston, South Carolina, Confederate States of America!
Current mood: excited
It might as well be 1861 and this should be the Confederate States of America because everywhere I look I see the vestiges of the past. It is whispered on the breezes that roll in off the waterfront, the sounds of traffic become feet on stones and horses hooves on cobblestones…to me this is a city more of the past than the present. Some people in this world have th ability to see time more clearly than others, to feel it, to experience it in ways that others can not understand. I am so thankful that this is on eof my gifts, to have this connection with the sense of time and place to know and love what I am seeing in front of me!
Tomorrow I head to the Confederate Museum located in the historic Market and the South Carolina Historical Society to get information on Axalla and Betsy Hoole for my program in February. Wednesday I head for Fort Sumter and the Hunley if my contacts pull favors for me and the cemetery where the crew is buried. Keep your fingers crossed.
I am in Confederate heaven here…love this place!
