February: A Big Month for the Ingalls Family

On the 1^st day of February Charles wed Caroline, in 1860.

On the 2^nd day of February, the Ingalls family hosted the first church services of De Smet in their home, 1880.

On the 7^th day of February, Laura was born, 1867.

On the 10^th of February, Laura passed away, 1957.

On the 13^th of February, Almanzo was born, 1857.

The month of February held several Masonic events for various Ingalls family members through the years (more about that in Little Lodges on the Prairie: Freemasonry in the Ingalls Family).

February was the month in 1889 that Charles was appointed Deputy Sheriff in Kingsbury County (De Smet). (Note: this was not his first gig as Deputy, just the only one for which I have proof in hand of a February appointment.)

What Ingalls-Wilder-Lane-related February happenings can you add?

James Wilder, Lure

This post is for my Laura Ingalls Wilder friends. 

You know how back in the day, speculators would entice people in with glowing reports of how wonderful the new place was, and all their troubles would disappear if only came to this place (whatever place they happened to be promoting)? 

I never knew that James Wilder was used in one of these lures!

I found this clipping while researching some other information for Little Lodges. 

It’s not something I’ll use, but thought there might be some of you that hadn’t seen it. 

From The Malone Palladium, TH, Nov 30 1871 

"Communication 

La Crosse, Wis, Nov. 22, 1871. 

Messrs. Seaver:-- 

We are just preparing lists and new deeds to the company of 61,000 acres of land in the extreme western part of the State, directly west of La Crosse. One from the Eastern States, who has never seen any of the western prairies, can have no idea of the beauty of the lands in south-western Minnesota. Let me refer you to Mr. James Wilder, a well-known, industrious, thrifty and intelligent farmer, lately from Franklin county, some six miles east of Malone. Business last year called him to Spring Valley, a growing town on the line of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, and some seventy-five miles from here. He returned to Burke, brought his family to La Crosse, and is expecting to locate on our lands in the spring. He is examining my land plats also with a view of selecting a location for others of his family and neighbors. Such things tell, and farmers know it. I have had many a pleasant call, too, from young men of good old Malone, who have by my request gone over our Railroad, and they can, if it be very necessary, all endorse the good things James Wilder will say of the country and the prospect for farmers who will go in now and possess the land. But now is the time. In a very few years the land we are now selling at $8 and $10 will be worth $50 to $75 per acre. This is not a wild nor unreasonable prophesying."

It goes on to tell how they are planning the towns along the rail line and how good the land is, the wonderful churches that are bringing civilization, and so on. It goes so far as to say they have “no north-east storms…and changes from cold to rain and sleet are all but unknown…The seasons come and go as if by the magician’s wand, and slush and mud, snow-drifts and hubs, disappear before you have had time to appreciate them.” HA!

Working Title: Little Lodges: Freemasonry in the Ingalls Family

Someone asked me what I’ve been up to, since she hadn’t seen any blog posts in a while. It prompted me to answer the question here.

I have been documenting the Ingalls family’s connections to Freemasonry. 

It’s been a fun journey of discovery, but has taken more time than I originally planned. (Don’t they all?)

I’m nearing completion, and I’m actually taking off this weekend to go have a visit with the girls.

Watch for the release this summer.

An uncomfortable moment at an otherwise terrific event

Today I went with my girl to the Texas Book Festival.

Since it was a literary event, of course I wore a shirt promoting one of my favorite authors.

No better place than a book festival, where readers, writers and publishers are milling about, to let it be known that I am a researcher of one of America’s most endearing and enduring writers, right?

We went specifically to hear Sherman Alexie, one of my girl’s favorite authors. I have only recently been introduced to his work, through my girl, although he has been a popular, award-winning author for decades. As a Native American, he writes from that perspective. As she read his books, my girl and I, and others, would have some good conversations about culture, prejudice, and similar topics.

But somehow, I just wasn’t thinking about that when I chose my apparel. Until…

Mr. Alexie began to talk about one of his banned books.

I am strongly against censorship, and believe in the right of any/everyone to express their views.

However, as I realized I was wearing a shirt featuring an author banned for insensitivity to Native Americans to a reading by a Native American, I admit that I wished I had thought that one through a little more.

Of course it felt like Mr. Alexie looked at my shirt every time he mentioned anything related to prejudice. I know that’s not true, but it was uncomfortable anyway.

And don’t take that to mean I’m embarrassed by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She was a product of her times, and it would not have been accurate for her to portray relations between whites and Indians as all hunky-dory. I just wish I had been a little more sensitive to the situation.

Other than that, I had a great time. I really enjoyed hearing Mr. Alexie, much more than I thought I would. I will be reading more of his works.