Vanished Arizona By: Martha Summerhayes (1844-1926)
In the memoir Vanished Arizona, Martha Summerhayes transports readers back to the untamed American Southwest of the late 19th century. As a young bride accompanying her army officer husband, Summerhayes provides an intimate and vivid account of her experiences on military outposts and in mining camps across the Arizona Territory. While the book lacks a cohesive narrative structure, it compensates with its raw authenticity and rich historical details. Summerhayes’ writing style captivates from the very beginning, as she candidly portrays her initial excitement and subsequent challenges as a new bride thrown into a rugged and unfamiliar environment. Her storytelling is characterized by an unapologetic honesty and a remarkable ability to vividly depict both the grandeur of the land and the hardships endured by those seeking a fortune or simply surviving in the Wild West. From the blistering heat of summers to the chilling solitude of winters, readers are transported to a time and place that no longer exist. One of the outstanding features of this memoir is its portrayal of the Native American tribes and their intricate relationship with the incoming settlers. Summerhayes expresses both her admiration for their customs and her acknowledgement of the injustices they faced, reflecting the complex dynamics prevailing at the time. By sharing her interactions with the Navajo, Apache, and other tribes, she offers readers a glimpse into a culture that has often been misrepresented or misunderstood. Although the book lacks a clear narrative structure, it compensates by presenting a series of vivid vignettes that piece together Summerhayes' experiences in Arizona. These episodic accounts may confuse some readers expecting a traditional story arc, as events are presented in a seemingly haphazard manner. However, this structure aptly mirrors the unpredictable and chaotic nature of life in the Arizona Territory during the late 1800s. One of the underlying themes within Vanished Arizona is the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit. Summerhayes portrays the courage and determination displayed by pioneers and soldiers alike, shedding light on the hardships endured by women in a predominantly male-dominated environment. Her personal growth throughout the memoir, from an inexperienced and naive young woman to a seasoned frontier wife, adds depth to her narrative and enhances the reader's connection with her story. Moreover, the historical context and wealth of details provided contribute to the book's overall appeal. Summerhayes meticulously describes the landscapes, customs, and daily life of the settlers she encounters, allowing readers to feel intimately connected to the historical period. Her observations of the military operations, mining practices, and social dynamics provide a remarkable window into a bygone era, capturing the essence of an Arizona that has long since vanished. In conclusion, Vanished Arizona by Martha Summerhayes is a compelling and authentic memoir that immerses readers in the untamed wilderness of the American Southwest. Summerhayes' candid and vivid descriptions transport us to a time of pioneers, Native Americans, and endless possibilities. While lacking a traditional narrative structure, the book compensates with its emotional honesty, historical value, and ability to transport readers to a world long forgotten. The memoir serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and will captivate any reader with an interest in the history of the American West. First Page: VANISHED ARIZONA Recollections of the Army Life by a New England Woman by Martha Summerhayes TO MY SON HARRY SUMMERHAYES WHO SHARED THE VICISSITUDES OF MY LIFE IN ARIZONA, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED Preface I have written this story of my army life at the urgent and ceaseless request of my children. For whenever I allude to those early days, and tell to them the tales they have so often heard, they always say: "Now, mother, will you write these stories for us? Please, mother, do; we must never forget them." Then, after an interval, "Mother, have you written those stories of Arizona yet?" until finally, with the aid of some old letters written from those very places (the letters having been preserved, with other papers of mine, by an uncle in New England long since dead), I have been able to give a fairly connected story. I have not attempted to commemorate my husband's brave career in the Civil War, as I was not married until some years after the close of that war, nor to describe the many Indian campaigns in which he took part, nor to write about the achievements of the old Eighth Infantry. I leave all that to the historian. I have given simply the impressions made upon the mind of a young New England woman who left her comfortable home in the early seventies, to follow a second lieutenant into the wildest encampments of the American army... Continue reading book >>

Vanished Arizona By: Martha Summerhayes (1844-1926)

In the memoir Vanished Arizona, Martha Summerhayes transports readers back to the untamed American Southwest of the late 19th century. As a young bride accompanying her army officer husband, Summerhayes provides an intimate and vivid account of her experiences on military outposts and in mining camps across the Arizona Territory. While the book lacks a cohesive narrative structure, it compensates with its raw authenticity and rich historical details.

Summerhayes’ writing style captivates from the very beginning, as she candidly portrays her initial excitement and subsequent challenges as a new bride thrown into a rugged and unfamiliar environment. Her storytelling is characterized by an unapologetic honesty and a remarkable ability to vividly depict both the grandeur of the land and the hardships endured by those seeking a fortune or simply surviving in the Wild West. From the blistering heat of summers to the chilling solitude of winters, readers are transported to a time and place that no longer exist.

One of the outstanding features of this memoir is its portrayal of the Native American tribes and their intricate relationship with the incoming settlers. Summerhayes expresses both her admiration for their customs and her acknowledgement of the injustices they faced, reflecting the complex dynamics prevailing at the time. By sharing her interactions with the Navajo, Apache, and other tribes, she offers readers a glimpse into a culture that has often been misrepresented or misunderstood.

Although the book lacks a clear narrative structure, it compensates by presenting a series of vivid vignettes that piece together Summerhayes' experiences in Arizona. These episodic accounts may confuse some readers expecting a traditional story arc, as events are presented in a seemingly haphazard manner. However, this structure aptly mirrors the unpredictable and chaotic nature of life in the Arizona Territory during the late 1800s.

One of the underlying themes within Vanished Arizona is the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit. Summerhayes portrays the courage and determination displayed by pioneers and soldiers alike, shedding light on the hardships endured by women in a predominantly male-dominated environment. Her personal growth throughout the memoir, from an inexperienced and naive young woman to a seasoned frontier wife, adds depth to her narrative and enhances the reader's connection with her story.

Moreover, the historical context and wealth of details provided contribute to the book's overall appeal. Summerhayes meticulously describes the landscapes, customs, and daily life of the settlers she encounters, allowing readers to feel intimately connected to the historical period. Her observations of the military operations, mining practices, and social dynamics provide a remarkable window into a bygone era, capturing the essence of an Arizona that has long since vanished.

In conclusion, Vanished Arizona by Martha Summerhayes is a compelling and authentic memoir that immerses readers in the untamed wilderness of the American Southwest. Summerhayes' candid and vivid descriptions transport us to a time of pioneers, Native Americans, and endless possibilities. While lacking a traditional narrative structure, the book compensates with its emotional honesty, historical value, and ability to transport readers to a world long forgotten. The memoir serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and will captivate any reader with an interest in the history of the American West.

First Page:

VANISHED ARIZONA

Recollections of the Army Life by a New England Woman

by Martha Summerhayes

TO MY SON HARRY SUMMERHAYES WHO SHARED THE VICISSITUDES OF MY LIFE IN ARIZONA, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

Preface

I have written this story of my army life at the urgent and ceaseless request of my children.

For whenever I allude to those early days, and tell to them the tales they have so often heard, they always say: "Now, mother, will you write these stories for us? Please, mother, do; we must never forget them."

Then, after an interval, "Mother, have you written those stories of Arizona yet?" until finally, with the aid of some old letters written from those very places (the letters having been preserved, with other papers of mine, by an uncle in New England long since dead), I have been able to give a fairly connected story.

I have not attempted to commemorate my husband's brave career in the Civil War, as I was not married until some years after the close of that war, nor to describe the many Indian campaigns in which he took part, nor to write about the achievements of the old Eighth Infantry. I leave all that to the historian. I have given simply the impressions made upon the mind of a young New England woman who left her comfortable home in the early seventies, to follow a second lieutenant into the wildest encampments of the American army... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Travel

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