Jacob Hamblin - His Life in His Own Words - with a foreword by Richard Lloyd Dewey

 This little book (127 pages) is a first-hand account of life here in St. George in the 1860s and 1870s. Leonard ordered this book because Brett Smith, a youngish fellow sealer, recommended it. They frequently have Brother Hamblin's grandson in their sealing sessions in the St. George Temple. Leonard wanted to learn more about him, but since he doesn't see the print well, gave it to me.

I didn't anticipate liking this book. I don't enjoy most "real" history, although I loved John Muir's memoir. So maybe my taste is maturing??? At any rate, I did enjoy this book. It was frustrating, at times, since he leaves out so many details, but there's enough meat on the bones to learn about a very hard life out here on the desert. I also learned about his unquestioning faith in God's prophecies, and in President Brigham Young's counsel. 

It was interesting that Hamblin was frequently called on to help guide parties around this area safely, and that he interacted with the local tribes very fruitfully. He learned a lot of their tribal languages, he adopted an Indian son. He could be relied on and trusted by both the whites and the Indians. I learned a lot about the differences in the tribes as well. The Navajo, for example, were always stirring up trouble. Other tribes here were more peaceful and they worked together well. Brigham Young always counseled Hamblin to treat them with respect, which was good to read!

There were many tribes and places I have never heard of before. And all of this happening then has left its mark on our area today...for example, the Jacob Hamblin home is open for tours and I am committed to go and see it!!! 

He was a brave man, and was frequently threatened by Indians, but was always able to negotiate his way out of difficulties, always relying on prayer and his experiences. He almost died in multiple ways, fording rivers, getting sick from exposure, and many other ways. He doesn't say much about his family life; indeed it sounds like he was seldom home! It was worth reading the forward, since that revealed that he had three marriages. S

The Jumping-Off Place by Marian Hurd McNeely

This delightful book is published by the South Dakota State Historical Society Press and includes black and white illustrations by William Siegel. It would make a perfect "read aloud" for children from eight or so upwards. It tells the story of four siblings who homestead in South Dakota in the early 1900s. Their challenges are many yet their fortitude and courage are great! This book is based on the actual experiences of the author, which makes it even more interesting to me. The characters are reflective of their time--hard workers and optimistic. I have read this book twice, just because I enjoy where it takes me. I gave a copy to my friend Terri, who has given away additional copies too. This is a keeper; I plan to read it again before too long.

Letters of a Woman Homesteader by Elinore Pruitt Stewart

At a Laramie boomers' reunion in October of 2010, Lona brought each of us a copy of this slim little book. She loved it and wanted to share it with us. As I read it, I understood why Lona loved it so. This homesteader is a lot like Lona! She's resourceful, brave, and a very hard worker.

I love the fact that these are a real woman's words describing her real experiences. It gave me a greater appreciation for all of my creature comforts! This woman was also incredibly brave and generous as she interacted with her neighbors and her harsh climate. In one chapter, "Among the Mormons," she encounters a polygamist group and the description is lamentable... It does give a glimpse, though into their lives and shows perhaps some of the reasons the practice was discontinued.

Here's an excerpt showing how this pioneer spent her days: "I have done most of my cooking at night, have milked seven cows every day, and have done all the hay-cutting, so you see I have been working. But I have found time to put up thirty pints of jelly and the same amount of jam for myself. I used wild fruits, gooseberries, currants, raspberries, and cherries. I have almost two gallons of cherry butter, and I think it delicious... There was a tang of sage and of pine in the air, and our horse was midside deep in rabbitbrush, a shrub covered with flowers that look and smell like goldenrod. The blue distance promised many alluring adventures, so we went along singing and simply gulping in summer."

That description is SO Wyoming! It probably stood out for me, because after living ten years in Laramie, I knew what she meant about "gulping" in summer! It's entirely too short there, so you savor every moment. A truly joyous book, rich desciptions, and wonderful real people as characters. This is a treasure. I only wish she had written more letters so we'd have a deeper look at her life and thoughts.