The Changing West in 1887

By 1887, the West was experiencing rapid transformation influenced by historical patterns of American ambition. Citizens were driven by a desire to enhance their lives and reshape the territory itself. Increased population numbers brought the implements of industrialization, redefining the landscape.

Industrial Age Influence

• Mining remained a key attraction, drawing individuals from all over the world.
• The mining industry evolved into a full-scale operation resembling the grimy factory towns of the East.

Homesteaders and Fortune Seekers

• Despite most prime land being claimed, homesteaders and fortune seekers continued to flood into the region.
• A frenzy resulted from the competition for the remaining lands, occasionally leading to chaotic stampedes and the rapid establishment of new towns.

Impact on Indigenous Populations

• For the original inhabitants, often Native Americans, these changes threatened traditional ways of life that had persisted for generations.
• As they lost land, some sought refuge in spiritual beliefs, viewing current events as a nightmare from which they hoped to awaken.
• The historical pattern of conquest resulted in immense loss and societal upheaval, a tale common to many nations.

The Oklahoma Land Rush

On April 22, 1889, roughly 100,000 settlers awaited the signal to claim lands in the Oklahoma District, encompassing 2,000,000 acres of former Indian territory.

The Rush Commences

• Soldiers held back the crowd until a noon bugle signal prompted a surge towards land claims. Cities such as Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Kingfisher, Norman, and Guthrie sprang up overnight.
• By day's end, 1,920,000 acres had been claimed. However, opportunistic settlers, known as Sooners, had already claimed the most desirable parcels the night before, circumventing military lines.
• Settlers faced harsh realities as initial town sites turned out to be chaotic with tents and an overwhelming number of people.

Formation of Guthrie

• Guthrie saw rapid establishment, including a contentious mayoral election initiated less than 24 hours after the land rush, highlighting the chaotic political climate.
• The necessity to claim land led to various whimsical phenomena, such as a dentist who advertised his services by displaying extracted teeth.
• Within days, Guthrie developed essential infrastructures such as general stores, hotels, newspapers, and saloons, indicating a rapid urbanization.

The Dawes Act of 1887

In 1887, reformers influenced Congress to pass the Dawes Act, which sought to assimilate Native Americans by allotting land to individuals instead of tribes.

Implications of the Dawes Act

• Each Indian family head was promised 160 acres of farmland or 320 acres of grazing land.
• Remaining tribal lands were designated as surplus and made available for non-Indian settlers.
• The goal was to dismantle tribal structures and create a sense of individual ownership, promoting assimilation into American society.

Resistance from Indigenous Peoples

• Many Native Americans, including the Nez Perce, showed resistance to land allotment, preferring to retain their communal land structure. The reformers, led by figures like Alice Fletcher, faced significant opposition while attempting to enforce land divisions.

Wounded Knee and the Ghost Dance

By 1890, the plight of Indian tribes worsened, culminating in significant events like the Ghost Dance movement, which arose as a spiritual response to oppression.

The Ghost Dance Movement

• Initiated by a Paiute prophet named Wovoka, the dance symbolized hope and the promise of an era without white oppression, where native peoples would regain control of their lands.
• Participants would purify themselves and dance to commune with their ancestors, believed to return and restore their world.

Events Leading to Violence

• A misunderstanding surrounding the Ghost Dance led to heightened tensions, culminating in military intervention when fears arose that the dancers represented a threat.
• The police intended to apprehend notable leaders like Sitting Bull, leading to conflict and chaos during attempted arrests, including the tragic death of Sitting Bull.

The Massacre at Wounded Knee

• On December 29, 1890, U.S. soldiers surrounded Bigfoot's band of ghost dancers at Wounded Knee, leading to a tragic massacre where hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children were killed, including many who sought refuge after a long history of violence against their communities.
• This event signified the end of Indian resistance to the U.S. government and marked a devastating moment in the ongoing struggle for Native American rights.

Ethel Waxam and the Wyoming Experience

The narrative transitions to Ethel Waxam, capturing her journey from Denver to a remote Wyoming schoolhouse, offering a glimpse into the life of a woman teacher during this period.

Waxam's Fascination with the West

• As a city girl with an adventurous spirit, Ethel transitioned to life in rural Wyoming, discovering unique challenges and surprises in her new surroundings.
• She details her experiences working in a one-room schoolhouse, teaching children of various ages while adjusting to the rugged realities of frontier life.

Relationships and Correspondence

• John Love, a sheep rancher who became enamored with Ethel, pursued her through heartfelt letters, displaying a blend of wit and sincerity over several years.
• Their correspondence highlights themes of love, ambition, and personal growth amidst the backdrop of the American West.

Final Resolution

• Eventually, Ethel accepted John's proposal in 1910, embarking on a shared life filled with the complexities of a pioneering existence.
• The story closes with reflections on their early marital challenges and the transformative experiences they endured.

Philosophical Reflections on Progress

James Bryce’s musings encapsulate the tension between rapid expansion and the inherent value of a more deliberate relationship with nature.

• He critiques the haste to conquer and exploit, encouraging a more reflective approach to the inheritance of vast, rich lands, suggesting that today's pursuits should respect the past and the environment.