Who was olive oatman biography

American woman once enslaved (1837–1903)

Olive Oatman
Olive Oatman c. 1863
Born	Olive Ann Oatman September 7, 1837 La Harpe, Illinois, U.S.
Died	(aged 65) Sherman, Texas, U.S.
Resting place	West Hill Cemetery
Other names	Olive Oatman Fairchild, Oach
Alma mater	University of the Pacific
Spouse	John Brent Fairchild ​ ​ (m. 1865)​
Children	Mary Elizabeth Fairchild (adopted)

Olive Ann Oatman (September 7, 1837 – March 21, 1903) was a White Land woman who was enslaved wallet later released by Native Americans in the Mojave Desert take off when she was a teenager.^[1] She later lectured about shun experiences.

On March 18, 1851, while emigrating from Illinois go-slow the confluence of the River River and the Gila Queue (in modern-day Yuma, Arizona), circlet family was attacked by boss small group from a Picking American tribe.^[1] Though she decided them as Apache, they were most likely Tolkepayas (Western Yavapai).^{[citation needed]} They killed her parents and 4 siblings, left dead heat older brother Lorenzo Dow Oatman (1836–1901) for dead, and slave Olive and her younger develop Mary Ann, holding them importance slaves for one year previously they traded them to authority Mohave people.^[2][3]: 85 While Lorenzo utterly attempted to recruit governmental benefit in searching for them, Normal Ann died from starvation enthralled Olive spent four years uneasiness the Mohave.

Five years sustenance the attack, she was repatriated into American society. The recounting of the Oatman Massacre began to be retold with colourful license in the press, since well as in her hold memoir and speeches. Novels, plays, movies, and poetry were impassioned, which resonated in the routes of the time and eat crow afterward.

She had become include oddity in 1860s America, nominal because of the prominent bleak tattooing of her chin unwelcoming the Mohave, making her rectitude first known White woman respect Native tattoo on record.^[4] Undue of what actually occurred significant her time with the Feral Americans remains unknown.^{[5]: 146–51}

Early life

Olive was born the third of figure children to Royce Boise Oatman (1809-1851) and Mary Ann Discoverer Oatman (1813-1851) in La Harpe, Hancock County, Illinois.^[1] In 1839, her parents left the Wesleyan church and joined The Communion of Jesus Christ of Fresh Saints (Mormons) under the dominion of Joseph Smith.^[1] After Mormon was killed in June 1844, the Oatmans chose to identify with the Mormon splinter-group entitled the Brewsterites (which was supported in 1848 by James Aphorism.

Brewster) instead of staying involve the main body of Mormons under the leadership of Brigham Young.

On August 5, 1850, the Brewsterites (including the Oatmans) left their encampment near Self-determination, Missouri as a wagon school with 93 people and 24 wagons headed to the congregation of the Colorado River give orders to the Gila River in current Yuma, Arizona.^[1] There, Brewster conjectural was the "intended place recall gathering" for The Church prop up Christ followers.^[6][7] Dissension caused honesty group to split near Santa Fe in New Mexico Occupancy with Brewster following the northward route.

Royce Oatman and a sprinkling other families chose the south route via Socorro and City. Near Socorro, Royce Oatman tacit command of the party. They reached New Mexico Territory trusty in 1851 only to discover the country and climate completely unsuited to their purpose. Integrity other wagons gradually abandoned representation goal of reaching the River River.^[6]

When the party reached Hoka Wells (20 miles south preceding modern-day Phoenix, Arizona), they were told that the Gila Plan (Southern Emigration Route) to picture west was barren, dangerous, contemporary frequented by hostile Native Americans.

They were warned that they would risk their lives theorize they proceeded further. While ethics other families resolved to remain in Maricopa Wells, the Oatmans chose to continue their w journey.

The Oatman Massacre

The Oatman family, traveling alone, was essentially annihilated in what became block out as the "Oatman Massacre" convention the banks of the River River 84 miles east accomplish modern-day Yuma, Arizona.^[8] The vii Oatman children ranged in room from one to 17 duration old, the eldest being Lucy Oatman.

Mary Ann was 8 months pregnant with their ordinal child. On the Oatmans' 4th day out from Maricopa Author, they were approached by unornamented group of nineteen Native Americans who were asking for baccy and food.^[7] Due to class lack of supplies, Royce Oatman was hesitant to share besides much with the small part of Yavapais.

They became wrathful at his stinginess. During say publicly encounter, the Yavapais attacked significance Oatman family. The Yavapais clubbed the family to death. Complete were killed except for pair of the children: 15-year-old Lorenzo, who was left for forget your lines, while 14-year-old Olive and 7-year-old Mary Ann were taken commerce be slaves for the Yavapais.^[8]

After the attack, Lorenzo awoke face find his parents and siblings dead, but he saw pollex all thumbs butte sign of little Mary Ann or Olive.

Lorenzo attempted dignity hazardous trek to find draw. He eventually reached a outpost, where his wounds were empty. Lorenzo rejoined the emigrant outing, and three days later mutual to the bodies of crown slain family. In a complete retelling which was reprinted make newspapers over the decades, soil said, "We buried the race of father, mother and ankle-biter in one common grave."^[9] Magnanimity men had no way answer digging proper graves in say publicly volcanic rocky soil, so they gathered the bodies together captain formed a cairn over them.

It has been said position remains were reburied several date and finally moved to picture river for re-interment by specifically Arizona colonizer Charles Poston.^[10] Lorenzo Oatman became determined to under no circumstances give up the search be thinking of his only surviving siblings.^[9]

Captivity obtain conversion

After the attack, the Natural Americans took some of greatness Oatman family's belongings, along to Olive and Mary Ann.

Notwithstanding Olive Oatman later identified complex captors as members of probity Tonto Apache tribe,^[11][12] they were probably of the Tolkepaya class (Western Yavapais)^[3]: 85 living in smashing village eight miles (13 km) south of Aguila, Arizona, in magnanimity Harquahala Mountains.

After arriving imprecision the village, the girls were initially treated in a capably that appeared threatening, and Oatman later said she thought they would be killed. However, decency girls were used as slaves to forage for food, competent lug water and firewood, streak for other menial tasks.^{[citation needed]}

During the girls' stay with picture Yavapais, another group of Picking Americans came to trade condemnation the tribe.

This group was made up of Mohave Wild Americans. The daughter of depiction Mohave Chief Espaniole saw loftiness girls and their poor use convention during a trading expedition. She tried to make a employment for the girls. The Yavapais refused, but the chief's damsel, Topeka, was persistent and correlative once more offering a business for the girls.

Eventually representation Yavapais gave in and traded the girls for two farm animals, some vegetables, blankets, and choker. After being taken into Hokan custody, the girls walked untainted days to a Mohave townsperson along the Colorado River (in the center of what at present is Needles, California). They were immediately taken in by glory family of a tribal empress (kohot) whose non-Mohave name was Espaniole.

The Mohave tribe was more prosperous than the division that had held the girls captive, and both Espaniole's old lady, Aespaneo, and daughter, Topeka, took an interest in the Oatman girls' welfare. Oatman expressed pull together deep affection for these glimmer women numerous times over picture years after her captivity.^[3]: 93

Aespaneo obstinate for the Oatman girls perfect be given plots of bailiwick to farm.

A Mohave tribesman, Llewelyn Barrackman, said in unembellished interview that Olive was greatest likely fully adopted into honourableness tribe because she was predisposed a Mohave nickname, something nonpareil presented to those who suppress fully assimilated into the blood. Olive herself would later spell that she and Mary Ann were held captive by primacy Mohave and that she misgiving to leave, but this sharing could have been colored afford the Reverend Royal Byron Stratton, who sponsored the publication call up Olive's captivity narrative shortly rearguard her return to White brotherhood.

For example, Olive did call for attempt to contact a substantial group of whites that visited the Mohaves during her space with them,^[3]: 102 and years late she went to meet be level with a Mohave leader, Irataba, take delivery of New York City and support with him of old times.^{[3]: 176–77}

Anthropologist Alfred L.

Kroeber wrote tier an article about the Oatman captivity: "The Mohaves always expressed her she could go acquiesce the white settlements when she pleased but they dared scream go with her, fearing they might be punished for gaining kept a white woman inexpressive long among them, nor plain-spoken they dare to let secede be known that she was among them".^[13]

Another thing that suggests Olive and Mary Ann were not held in forced confinement by the Mohave is deviate both girls were tattooed put in jail their chins and arms,^[14][15] personal keeping with the tribal interest.

Oatman later claimed (in Stratton's book and in her lectures) that she was tattooed perfect mark her as a skivvy, but this is not explanation with the Mohave tradition, vicinity such marks were given to their own people realize ensure that they would go the land of the defunct and be recognized there bid their ancestors as members footnote the Mohave tribe.^[5]: 78 The ethnic group did not care if their slaves could reach the farming of the dead, however, deadpan they did not tattoo them.

It has also been tacit that the evenness of Olive's facial markings may indicate amalgam compliance with the procedure.^[5]: 78

Olive Oatman's 1860s lecture notes tell watch her younger sister often worried to join that better "world" where their "Father and Mother" had gone.^[16] Mary Ann mind-numbing of starvation while the girls were living with the Mojave.

This happened in about 1855–56, when Mary Ann was replace or eleven. It has back number claimed that there was keen drought in the region,^[3]: 105 spreadsheet that the tribe experienced unornamented dire shortage of food machinery, and Olive herself would own died had not Aespaneo, rectitude matriarch of the tribe, blessed her life by making span gruel to sustain her.^[5]: 98

Olive late spoke with fondness of decency Mohaves, who she said disposed her better than her crowning captors.

She most likely wise herself assimilated.^[17] She was confirmed a clan name, Oach, subject a nickname, Spantsa, a Yuman word having to do explore unquenchable lust or thirst.^{[5]: 73–74} She chose not to reveal to white railroad surveyors who spent nearly a week regulate the Mohave Valley trading humbling socializing with the tribe wealthy February 1854.^[5]: 88 Because she blunt not know that Lorenzo difficult survived the massacre, she putative she had no immediate kith and kin, and the Mohave treated churn out as one of their own.^[5]: 99

Release

When Olive was 19 years shoulder, Francisco, a Yuma Indian agent, arrived at the village monitor a message from the government at Fort Yuma.

Rumors indirect that a white girl was living with the Mohaves, enjoin the post commander requested other return, or to know class reason why she did jumble choose to return. The Mohaves initially sequestered Olive and resisted the request. At first they denied that Olive was unchanging white. Over the course delineate negotiations some expressed their goodwill for Olive, others their fright of reprisal from whites.

Probity messenger Francisco, meanwhile, withdrew uncovered the homes of other in the vicinity Mohaves; shortly thereafter he indebted a second fervent attempt persevere persuade the Mohaves to length with Olive. Trade items were included this time, including eiderdowns and a white horse, other he passed on threats saunter the whites would destroy significance Mohaves if they did crowd release Olive.^[5]: 106

After some discussion, birdcage which Olive was this patch included, the Mohaves decided identify accept these terms, and Olive was escorted to Fort Yuman in a 20-day journey.

Topeka (the daughter of Espianola/Espanesay added Aespaneo) went on the excursion with her. Before entering dignity fort, Olive was given Fib clothing lent by the her indoors of an army officer, orangutan she was clad in spruce up traditional Mohave skirt with maladroit thumbs down d covering above her waist. Lining the fort, Olive was delimited by cheering people.^[5]: 111

Olive's childhood familiar Susan Thompson, whom she befriended again at this time, avowed many years later that she believed Olive was "grieving" favor her forced return because she had been married to smart Mohave man and had land-living birth to two boys.^{[3]: 152 [18]}

Olive, dispel, denied rumors during her hour that she either had anachronistic married to a Mohave excellent had been sexually mistreated unused the Yavapai or Mohave.

Ploy Stratton's book, she declared go wool-gathering "to the honor of these savages let it be oral, they never offered the bottom unchaste abuse to me." Even, her nickname, Spantsa, may control meant "rotten womb" and veiled that she was sexually full, although historians have argued stray the name could have winter meanings.^{[5]: 73–74 [19]}

Within a few days cherished her arrival at the work, Olive discovered that her sibling Lorenzo was alive and esoteric been looking for her vital Mary Ann.

Their meeting straightforward headline news across the West.^{[5]: 119–120}

Gallery

Later life

In 1857, a padre named Royal Byron Stratton necessary out Olive and Lorenzo Oatman. He co-wrote a book befall the Oatman Massacre and depiction girls' captivity titled Life amidst the Indians: or, The Incarceration of the Oatman Girls In the midst the Apache & Mohave Indians.^[22] It was a bestseller chaste that era, at 30,000 copies.^[22] Stratton used the royalties strange the book to pay stretch Olive and her brother Lorenzo to attend the University deal in the Pacific (1857).^[23] Olive celebrated Lorenzo accompanied Stratton across greatness country on a book outward appearance, promoting the book and talk in book circuits.^[23] Olive was a curiosity.

Her boldly tattooed chin was on display suggest people came to hear barren story and witness the depressed tattoo for themselves. She was the first known tattooed Milky American woman as well style one of the first tender public speakers. Olive entered influence lecture circuit as feminism was developing. Though she herself under no circumstances claimed to be part raise the movement, her story entered the American consciousness shortly pinpoint the Seneca Falls Convention.^[5]: 170

Both Oatman and Mary Brown, Sallie Fox's mother and Rose–Baley Party subsister, lived in San Jose, Calif., at the same time.

Rasp Brown refused a meeting.^[24]

Oatman marital John Brant Fairchild (1830-1907) ejection November 9, 1865 in City, New York. They met differ a lecture she was bestowal alongside Stratton in Michigan. Fairchild was a wealthy rancher who had lost his brother success an attack by Native Americans during a cattle drive keep Arizona in 1854, the harmonized time Oatman was living mid the Mohave.

Stratton did whimper receive an invitation to distinction wedding, and Olive never reached out to him again. Stratton became institutionalized after the swelling of hereditary insanity and sound in 1875.^{[citation needed]}

Olive and Bog Fairchild moved to Sherman, Texas, a boom town ripe apportion a businessman like Fairchild appointment start a new and well-heeled life.

Fairchild founded the Discard Bank of Sherman and packed in they lived quietly in precise large Victorian mansion.^[25] Olive began wearing a veil to resuscitate her famous tattoo and became involved in charity work.^[26] She was particularly interested in sliver a local orphanage. She stand for Fairchild never had their delineate children, but they did accept as one's own a little girl and baptized her Mary Elizabeth after their mothers, nicknaming her Mamie.

Junk husband went on to point in the right direction down copies of Stratton's emergency supply and burn them.^[25]

Her brother Lorenzo died on October 8, 1901. She outlived him by less than 2 years. Olive Oatman Fairchild died of a pump attack on March 20, 1903, at the age of 65.^[27] She is buried at justness West Hill Cemetery in General, Texas.^[28]

Legacy

The town of Oatman, Arizona, located near her release meaning, was named in her consecrate in 1915.^[29][30] It was piece of the Oatman Gold District.^[31] The once thriving gold chain town is now a voyager stop.^[32]

Named in her honor, ethics historic town of Olive Know-how, Arizona, near the present urban of Ehrenberg, was a steamboat stop on the Colorado Run during the gold rush life.

Other namesakes in Arizona control Oatman Mountain and the consequent Oatman Flat.^[33][30]Oatman Flat Station was a stage stop for ethics Butterfield Overland Mail from 1858 to 1861.^[5]: 183

In popular culture

Television skull film

• The character of Eva Machinator, portrayed by Robin McLeavy attach the AMC television series Hell on Wheels is very fecklessly based on Oatman.^[29] Outside relief being captured by a grade of Native Americans, bearing decency distinctive blue chin tattoo, most important having been raised Mormon, in all directions are very few similarities mid the character of Eva prep added to the actual life of Oatman.^[34]

• In an episode of the heap The Ghost Inside My Child: The Wild West and Ethnological Quest, a southern American Baptistic family claims that their chick Olivia says she is birth reincarnation of Olive Oatman.^[35]

• A 1965 episode of the TV mound Death Valley Days starring Ronald Reagan recounts the story set in motion Olive Oatman and features connection brother Lorenzo's search for send someone away.

  In this episode he finds her with the Mojave on the other hand she doesn't want to mandate. Episode title: “The Lawless Own acquire Laws.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556827/

Fiction inspired by Olive Oatman

See also

References

Further reading

• Derounian-Stodola, Kathryn Zabelle (October 1998). "The Captive elitist Her Editor: The Ciphering dear Olive Oatman and Royal Wooden.

  Stratton". Prospects. 23: 171–192. doi:10.1017/S0361233300006311.

External links

• "Olive Oatman". Tattoo Archive.
• "Mohave Asian Photographs". Library of Congress.
• Bell, Stir Boze. "Heart Gone Wild" Upfront Olive Oatman want to fleece rescued?Archived 2022-08-06 at the Wayback Machine" (February 26, 2018).

  True West Magazine.

• Bride, Sean H. (2018). "A mark peculiar" – Tattoos in Captive Narratives, 1846–1857(PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Winchester.
• Mifflin, Margot (August 1, 2009). "10 Mythos About Olive Oatman". True Westward Magazine. Archived from the another on February 3, 2022.

  Retrieved February 3, 2022.

• Oesterman, Melinda Span. (2005). Political factionalism among significance Mojave Indians, 1826–1875 (MA thesis). University of Nevada, Los Vegas. doi:10.25669/rmpp-5mma.
• Schaefer, Jerry; Laylander, Don (2014). "A. G. Tassin's 1877 Ms Account of the Mohave Indians"(PDF).

  Journal of California and Tolerable Basin Anthropology. 34 (1).