Letters Of A Woman Homesteader - by Elinore Pruitt Stewart

"Burnt Fork, Wyoming, April 18, 1909

Dear Mrs. Coney, -

Are you thinking I am lost, like the Babes in the Wood?  Well, I am not and I'm sure the robins would have the time of their lives getting leaves to cover me out here.  I am 'way up close to the Forest Reserve of Utah, within half a mile of the line, sixty miles from the railroad.  I was twenty-four hours on the train and two days on the stage, and oh, those two days!  The snow was just beginning to melt and the mud was about the worst I had ever heard of.

The first stage we tackled was just about as rickety as it could very well be and I had to sit with the driver, who was a Mormon and so handsome that I was not a bit offended when he insisted on making love all the way, especially after he told me  that he was a widower Mormon.  But, of course, as I had no chaperone I looked very fierce (not that that was very difficult with the wind and mud as allies) and told him my actual opinion of Mormons in general and particular.

Meantime my new employer, Mr. Stewart, sat upon a stack of baggage and was dreadfully concerned about something he calls his "Tookie," but I am unable to tell you what that is.  The road, being so muddy, was full of ruts and the stage acted as if it had the hiccoughs and made us all talk as though we were affected in the same way."

These are the first paragraphs of "Letters Of A Woman Homesteader" by Elinore Pruitt Stewart.  This book is a collection of letters Mrs. Stewart wrote to a former employer over several years.

1825 Burnt Fork, Wyoming

(Thanks to to O. N. Eddins for allowing me to use this great photo.  If you're interested in learning more about the history of Wyoming, including the Oregon Trail, visit Dr. Eddins website: Mountains of Stone.)

Elinore Pruitt's husband died from a railroad accident, forcing her to find work to support herself and her little girl.  After spending time in Denver working as a housecleaner and laundress, she wanted a better life for herself.  She set out for Wyoming where homesteaded land could be purchased for $1.25 an acre!

Elinore was only 29 upon her arrival in Burnt Fork, Wyoming; but she was so tenacious and hard-working that she couldn't help but succeed!  This collection of letters show her to be an adventurous, witty and thoroughly delightful woman!

"Letter Of A Woman Homesteader" was first published in 1914, and is still fascinating to read almost 100 years later.  I was engrossed from the first few paragraphs, and couldn't wait to read about her next adventure.