Introduction

Throughout history there have been individuals who have stood up for equality and justice. They were not always popular because of their convictions. Some of these individuals risked their lives, like the Civil Rights workers did in the 1960s. Others like the New England abolitionists before the Civil War and President Lincoln believed that slavery was wrong and fought to eliminate it. There was an easier path that could have been taken; they chose to do what is right.

Such an individual was Helen Hunt Jackson. Her second husband was a wealthy man and she could have lived a life of leisure after her marriage. Instead she became aware that an injustice was being done and she worked relentlessly to bring about a change. Traveling around Southern California in poor health and often under rough conditions, she gathered information for her report to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Appendix XV).

When she finished writing A Century of Dishonor, at her own expense, she sent a copy to every member of Congress. It was unfortunate that the book was not the catalyst for change she had hoped. However, it is nonetheless a worthy body of work. We are not often provided with a critical view of history as it is taking place. It can be much less of a risk to condemn government actions in retrospect.

This work may not have had the enduring popularity as her novel Ramona (it has never been out of print), but it still has relevance to those who have an interest in an unvarnished account of U.S. History.

Summary

Although she is now known as Helen Hunt Jackson. She actually wrote under the names of either Helen Hunt or Helen Jackson (using the names of her first or second husband). Other names she used were H.H., Saxe Holm, and anonymously in the No Name series published by Roberts Brothers of Boston.

Helen Hunt Jackson would have been a remarkable woman no matter when she was born. Given the time she lived and her championship of an unpopular cause she deserves even more accolades. Not only for her success as an author, but also her ability to overcome adversity. In spite of the fact that she experienced numerous personal tragedies and suffered from ill health for much of her life, she left behind a legacy of truly worthy accomplishments. It would have been easy for her to emulate her friend, the poet Emily Dickinson, and withdraw from life. Instead she made the best of her circumstances and selflessly fought to improve the situation for those less fortunate. The losses she endured helped to make her a more empathetic person and they served as a catalyst for her creative energies.

As a woman who had little sympathy for women who took up causes, she took on one with a vengeance. The last years of her life were dedicated to the cause of justice for Native Americans. Her energies, at times risking her own health, were focused on restitution for the injustices they had experienced. She deserves to be recognized as one of the noteworthy heroes in American history.

Her success as an author can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, she was an entertaining and talented writer. Secondly, she had friends and acquaintances who were among the elite of American literary figures in the latter part of the 19th century. Thirdly, she was active during an advantageous period of publishing history, as printing costs had been greatly reduced with technological improvements. Finally, the population had become much more literate than in the past, thus increasing potential readership. All of these factors contributed to the opening up of opportunities for writers, especially women, that had never been seen before.

Appendix

The appendix of the book is made up of the following sections:

I - The Sand Creek Massacre
II - The Ponca Case
III - Testimonies to Indian Character
IV - Outrages Committed on Indians by Whites
V - Extracts from the Report of the Commission Sent to Treat with the Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, in Canada
VI - Account of Some of the Old Grievances of the Sioux
VII - Letter from Sarah Winnemucca, an Educated Pah-Ute Woman
VIII - Laws of the Delaware Nation on Indians
IX - Account of the Cherokee who Invented the Cherokee Alphabet
X - Prices Paid by White Men for Scalps
XI - Extract from Treaty with Cheyennes in 1865
XII - Wood-cutting by Indians in Dakota
XIII - Sequel to the Walla Walla Massacre
XIV - An Account of the Numbers, Location, and Social and Industrial Condition of Each Important Tribe and Band of Indians within the United States
XV - Report on the Condition and Needs of the Mission Indians of California

Section XV is a report that was written by both Helen herself and Abbot Kinney (a California resident who spoke Spanish), they had been appointed as Special Agents by the U.S. Government and their findings were submitted to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The outcome of this report was a Senate bill to improve conditions. Unfortunately, it was killed in the House of Representatives.

Once again, the poor condition of this volume can be seen in the above photo.

Provenance

This edition has always belonged to San Jose State University. Upon close examination of the book the history of the university can be traced. There is an embossing on the top right corner of the first few pages with California Normal School Library. Then there are tiny holes forming the words San Jose State College (see title page section photo) and finally there is a stamp with San Jose State University. Not only can you see the changes in name, but also the changes in the way books were tagged for library ownership.

The drawing above shows the San Jose Normal School about the time Helen would have visited and before it was damaged by the 1906 earthquake.

Colophon

The colophon or reverse side of the title page includes the following pertinent information. It has the original copyright date of 1885 by Roberts Brothers and the name of the printers University Press, John Wilson and son, Cambridge.

Colophons were originally located in the back of the book. This practice changed in the 19th century. Although some colophons provide more detailed information this one has very little. For example, no details are given regarding the type of text used.

Endleaves & flyleaves

The endleaves in this edition are plain off-white paper. The stitching can be clearly seen. Also the above photo gives some indication of the fragile condition of this volume.

Contents

The Table of Contents in A Century of Dishonor list the following sections:

Preface
Introduction
Chapter I - Introductory
Chapter II - The Delawares
Chapter III - The Cheyennes
Chapter IV - The Nez Perces
Chapter V - The Sioux
Chapter VI - The Poncas
Chapter VII - The Winnebagoes
Chapter VIII - The Cherokees
Chapter IX - Massacres of Indians by Whites
Chapter X - Conclusion

Appendix (made up of fifteen sections)

An interesting detail can be noted in the embossing at the top right portion of the page. The wording California State Normal School (now San Jose State University) can be made out. This was a place that Helen visited in one of her trips to California. The original building of the Normal School was badly damaged in the 1906 earthquake, so this edition would have survived this catastrophic event. Also, since there is no inscription in the book by the author it probably was not presented by her to the school. However, perhaps her visit might have inspired the purchase of the book.

Binding

The binding of this edition has a black leather spine with gold tooling and black leather on the corners of the book's cover. On the front cover itself is paper over board with a swirl-like effect in dark brown and pale yellow. However, the original colors might have faded. When new the binding would have been quite attractive. As can be seen in the photo above the leather is badly cracked and the condition of the book is quite fragile.

This edition was bound by the work of a hand-binder. Since machine binding did not take place until the 1890s. Also, given the more elaborate binding, with leather and gold tooling, it would have been a more expensive binding to buy. Another book observed recently from the same year, by popular writer Kate Douglas Wiggin, was bound in cloth. The difference between both volumes could be the result of one being sold for individual sale and the more costly one was sold to an institution. Given the background history (with the author's visit to the college), this might also have warranted buying a nicer volume.

Title page

The title page of the book has the title A CENTURY OF DISHONOR in bold text. Directly below this is the subtitle A SKETCH OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT'S DEALINGS WITH SOME OF THE INDIAN TRIBES in smaller, regular text. Following the title is the author"s name, Helen Jackson (H.H.). Immediately beneath this in much smaller text is a listing of some other works by the author, including her famous book Ramona. Also, on the title page is the following quote by Governor Horatio Seymour:

Every human being born upon our continent or who comes here from any quarter of the world, whether savage or civilized, can go to our courts for protection--except those who belong to the tribes who once owned this country. The cannibal from the islands of the Pacific, the worst criminals from Europe, Asia or Africa, can appeal to the law and courts for their rights of person and property--all, save our native Indians, who, above all, should be protected from wrong.

Seymour was a prominent Democratic politician and former governor of New York. He unsuccessfully ran for president against former President U.S. Grant.

Finally, towards the bottom of the title page is a notation stating the following:

New, Enlarged by the Addition of the Report on the Needs of the Mission Indians of California.

This is immediately followed by the place of publication (Boston), the publishers (Roberts Brothers), and the date of publication for this edition (1887).

Preface - Bishop Whipple

The preface to this edition is by Henry Benjamin Whipple, Bishop of Minnesota. He wrote the preface to the book on November 11, 1880 in New York. He was an ordained minister in the Presbyterian faith and was a lifelong champion of the underdog. Whipple was originally from New York, but settled in Minnesota. The last sentence in the Preface shows his commitment to social justice for all. With justice, personal rights, and the protection of law, the Gospel will do for our Red brothers what it has done for other races--give to them homes, manhood and freedom (Whipple, 1880).

There is an interesting anecdote related to his second wife, Evangeline Marrs Simpson. She was romantically involved before their marriage and after his death with, Rose Cleveland, the sister of President Grover Cleveland. She had served as his First Lady until his marriage.

Introduction - Julius Seelye

The introduction to this book was written by Julius Seelye on December 10, 1880 at Amherst College. He had many careers from politician, to missionary, to writer, as well as President of Amherst College. He clearly stated his position in the Introduction to the book. The great difficulty with the Indian problem is not with the Indian, but with the Government and people of the United States (Seelye, 1880).

Women authors - 19th Century America

There were a number of prominent women authors during the latter part of 19th century America. Some of these authors like Helen Hunt Jackson, Louisa May Alcott, Kate Douglas Wiggin and Frances Hodges Burnett were able to comfortably support themselves with their writing. With the exception of Burnett, they were all from or near the New England area of the country. In the cases of Alcott, Wiggin and Jackson they were champions of individuals who were disenfranchised in American society.

Their catalyst to write was driven by several factors including financial necessity, a creative outlet, and inspiration or support from a mentor, a friend or family. Also, several of these women authors had undergone either difficult circumstances or personal tragedy. Of course, a further impetus included their proximity or exposure to other writers and scholars.

Something that was quite beneficial in being published during this time period, as in most time periods, was having good connections. From a personal perspective Helen enjoyed interacting with other literary people. On a more practical note, she was adept at forming and maintaining important connections within this (literary) network (Phillips, p 108, 2003). In today's terms she was very proficient at networking. Not only did she have an acquaintance with the Alcotts, she was also on very good terms with other important writers and editors of the time.

Edward Bissell Hunt & her children

Edward Hunt was a young Army lieutenant when Helen met him at the governor's ball in August of 1851. They married just over a year later in October 1852. Their life together involved long periods of separation because of his military service. They began their life together at a boarding house in Washington, DC. It would have been an active life for her there with all the social events in the nation's capitol, especially for an officer's wife. A year after their marriage Murray Hunt, their oldest son was born. However, the following year was to be a difficult one for her. First of all, her grandfather (who was a surrogate parent following the death of both parents) died, then her son Murray died. He was not even a year old.

The following year Edward and Helen had a happy event with the birth of their second son, Warren Horsford Hunt. Rennie, as he was called by Helen, was her pride and joy.

Meanwhile, Edward was making a name for himself with his scientific endeavors. He was even a frequent contributor to the American Journal of Science. One of the trips they made together was to her old home town of Amherst in 1860. They attended a reception at Emily Dickinson's home. During the visit she and Emily became reacquainted, after being childhood friends. Years later Emily was to make the following comment about Edward, he had interested her more than any man she'd ever met (May, p 19, 1987).

A tumultuous time in American history was to take place in the coming year in 1861. It was the beginning of the Civil War. Once again, Edward left his family to fight in the war. After postings in Florida and Virginia he was ordered to New York. This was happy news for Helen as the family would be reunited again. His duties were to involve work on the development of a submarine gun at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. It was quite an honor to be selected because this was an innovative new weapon (the precursor of the future torpedo). While working on this new weapon a tragic accident occurred and several days later Helen's husband was dead. They had only been married for eleven years.

Helen's losses were not to end with the death of her husband. Less than two years later her dear son Rennie died. He was only nine years old. Her husband and two sons were all buried at West Point.

Given all the personal tragedies she had undergone in the East it is no wonder that Helen ended up making a new home for herself in the West. Her nomadic life was probably a result of all the moves she had made, both as a young orphan schoolgirl and as a military wife.

William Sharpless Jackson

Helen had come to Colorado in 1873-1874 for her health, not expecting to meet her future husband. William Jackson was a quiet, reserved man and as another guest at the Colorado Springs Hotel he intrigued Helen. William came from Pennsylvania and was brought up as a Quaker. In spite of the fact he had no formal education he was quite successful. When Helen met him in Colorado he was Vice President of a railroad and he owned a local bank.

Upon her arrival in Colorado she was not very impressed, but through William she was able to see the great beauty of her surroundings. Her health was improving greatly with the clean, crisp mountain air. Their romance proceeded and William finally asked her to marry him. It was not an easy decision for Helen. She had experienced great tragedy in her first marriage, there was an age difference of over five years, they had different backgrounds, and she was too old to have children. Finally, after much consideration she accepted his proposal and they were married in October 1875 (the same month as her first marriage).

Their marriage was not a conventional one. They had mutual respect and love for each other, but also spent a great deal of time apart. Helen continued her travels, visiting friends and family back East, traveling to California and elsewhere. William, in turn, was required to travel for business. Throughout their marriage he was supportive of her writing, something she was not able to really do in her first marriage.

Several years after Helen's death he married her niece, Helen Fiske Banfield in 1888 (Helen had told him that her niece would make a good wife for him). The younger Helen was a Vassar graduate and the daughter of Helen's sister. They had seven children together and a happy marriage. So, Helen's prophecy came to fruition.

Legacy

The legacy left by Jackson includes not only the Ramona pageant and its romanticized view of life in Old California, but also several namesakes. These include an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school.

Although she only spent a small portion of her life in California she left a lasting impression there, mainly due to one book, Ramona. The vision depicted of an idyllic life in the old ranchero days is perhaps unrealistic, but it had great appeal for her many readers and fans. Her "sugar pill" for conveying the same theme as A Century of Dishonor did not have quite her intended outcome, but it did promote the appreciation of different cultures.

Children's book

Nelly's Silver Mine A Story of Colorado Life is a children's book by Helen Hunt Jackson. It was originally published in 1878 by Roberts Brothers. The story is about a young girl and her family who move from their home in New England to a small town in Colorado, much as Helen left her home in New England to her new life in Colorado.

One of the passages in the book describes Nelly's first impression of her new home:

The first thing they saw as they walked out of the hotel door, was a long range of high mountains to the south. They looked down the street on which the hotel stood, and saw these mountains rising up like a great wall across the end of the street. They were covered with snow two-thirds of the way down. The lower part which was not covered with snow was of a very dark blue color; and the upper part, where the snow lay, shone in the sun so dazzling bright that it made their eyes ache to look at itl The sky was as blue as blue could be, and had not a cloud in it; and some of the sharp peaks of the mountains looked as if they were really cutting through the sky (Jackson, p 85, 1930).

The description above could very well have been her own first impression of Colorado. She was known to love the view of the mountains from her home in Colorado Springs.

Sarah Coolidge

Someone who was a close friend to Helen and traveled with her to California was Sarah Chauncey Woolsey. She was a fellow author as well and wrote under the name Susan Coolidge. One of the places they explored together was Yosemite. They even wrote for the same No Name series published by Roberts Brothers in Boston.

Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Thomas Wentworth Higginson was an influential mentor and friend to both Helen Hunt Jackson and Emily Dickinson. He was somewhat of a controversial figure as a backer of John Brown (a fellow abolitionist and promoter of insurrection in its support) and his aid of fugitive slaves. In addition, he was also the leader of Newport, Rhode Island literary society. Having met Higginson previously she renewed their acquaintance while staying at the same boarding house in Newport.

He provided Helen with both encouragement and friendship. They even had a mutual friend in Emily Dickinson. Though Helen drove a hard bargain when negotiating payment for her writing, she was not a supporter of feminism. This is somewhat ironic given the fact that she believed women should receive the same pay as men, not to mention her non-conventional second marriage.

Later work

Jackson has a wide body of work from poems, to short stories, to essays and her travel articles. A Century of Dishonor was her only full length nonfiction work. Besides, Ramona some other novels she wrote were, Hetty's Strange History and Mercy Philbrick's Choice. Ramona has withstood the test of time, unlike her other works of fiction.

Her extensive travels inspired much of her later writing. She wrote some of the following travel essays:

"A Glimpse of the Queen of England"
"An Afternoon in the Ghetto of Rome"
"The Foundling Hospital of London"
"Down the Arkansas River to New York"
"By Horse Cars into Mexico"
"In and Out of Boston"
"Breakfast in San Juan Capistrano"

They give an indication of the variety of places and topics that she included in her writings. The photo above is of San Juan Capistrano Mission circa 1899 (taken by Henry Jackson and digitally restored). It would have looked similar to this when she visited there and wrote "Breakfast in San Juan Capistrano".

Early work

Helen began writing at an early age, not surprising given her father's scholarship. Here is an example of a poem she wrote for him when she was eleven:

My dear papa tis very long,
Since I have had a vacation.
And now I write a little song,
To move your hearts compassion.
I'm tired to death of Latin,
As you no doubt do know.
I get on slow with practising,
Alas! Alas! how slow!
I think it is but fair,
That I should have some rest,
And tis my fervent prayer,
That you may think it best.
I'm but a child,
And rather wild,
As all the world doth know.
And this is why,
It seems so dry,
For me to study so.
That old brown book,
Has such a look,
It makes one sigh to see it.
And only think how long twill take,
For you to drag me through it.
Now if you'll grant a resting spell,
I think I then shall go on well.
I would write more but my thoughts are fled,
And mother says "Now go to bed."
I wish you'd answer this in rhyme,
If you can possibly find the time.
Your affectionate daughter, H.M. Fiske

(Jackson to Fiske, 1842)

Context

Jackson was inspired to write this book after hearing a lecture by Standing Bear (pictured in photo above), a Ponca Indian chief. He was famous for arguing before the United States District Court in Nebraska that Indians had all the rights of U.S. citizens and were people under the law. In his lecture tour he spoke of their forced removal from Nebraska by the U.S. government. This led her to investigate and research the plight of other tribes. A Century of Dishonor A Sketch of the United States Government's Dealings with Some of the Indian Tribes is the end result of her research. She intentionally used the term "Sketch" in the subtitle because it was meant to be an overview not a complete history.

The book is divided into ten chapters, Seven of these chapters are devoted to background on each of the following tribes: The Delaware, The Cheyenne, The Nez Perces, The Sioux, The Poncas, The Winnebagoes, and The Cherokees. It also contains an Appendix (this includes an account of the Sand Creek Massacre, mentioned in more detail under the Colorado section of this blog).

She became further committed to reform after traveling around California to observe the conditions of Natives there. The report on her findings is included in the Appendix.

At the time of original publication in 1881, this title was written only five years after Custer's Last Stand in 1876. The Navaho chief, Geronimo, was not captured until the latter part of 1886. So, the book was written at a time when these events were not just fresh memories, but still ongoing events.

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett was an Anglo-American author and playwright. She was born in Manchester, England. Unlike Jackson she grew up in poverty. After her father's death her mother emigrated in 1865 with the family to Knoxville, Tennessee, seeking a better life for all of them. Their life was better in America. However, tragedy was to strike again when her mother died in 1867. Burnett was left at eighteen as the sole support of her two younger siblings. In order to support them she turned to writing.

Like Jackson she suffered the loss of both parents at an early age and also the death of her son. Two of her most famous works are the children's classics A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. These two books are still enjoyed to this day and there have been several movies made of them.

Another extremely popular book authored by Burnett is Little Lord Fauntleroy. Such was the popularity that it sold half a million copies. This book did not have the lasting appeal of the two previously mentioned books though. As in more contemporary best sellers like the Twilight series, it makes one wonder if they will having lasting appeal either.

Whether or not Helen was personally acquainted with Burnett is not a certainty. Though she did consider Burnett a genius, according to a letter she wrote her sister (Phillips, p 112, 2003).

Kate Douglas Wiggin

Kate Douglas Wiggin was a famous late 19th century author. Born on September 28, 1856, she was known as both an author and an educator. Her best known work is the classic children's book Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. It has been made into several films and was even a play on Broadway.

Although she loved children, Kate never had any herself. Like Jackson she was born back East (in Pennsylvania rather than Massachusetts) and spent productive time in California. While in San Francisco, California she started a kindergarten. It was the first free one in the city. She and her sister even established a school that provided training for kindergarten teachers.

Wiggins, also like Jackson, devoted herself to a cause. However, her cause was the welfare of children (this was at a time when child labor was still prevalent). Although the two authors were acquainted, they were not close friends. It is quite probable, however, that they were admirers of each other.

Appropriately enough, Kate's summer home in Maine is now the Hollis town library. She died in 1923 at the age of 66 while traveling in England.

Louisa May Alcott

A fellow New Englander, Alcott is most famous for her classic work Little Women. Like Jackson some of her writing was written under a nom de plume. She was not as widely traveled as Helen, living most of her life in Massachusetts. She was a staunch abolitionist (like her father) and later became a supporter of women's suffrage.

Something else she had in common with Jackson was her health problems and dying in her mid 50s. Her death was probably the result of an autoimmune disease (possibly lupus), in contrast to Jackson who died of cancer. Both women were remarkable individuals who were able to forge careers as writers at a time when women were not even able to vote.

Her masterpiece, Little Women, has inspired several films and has had lasting appeal for readers. The main character, Jo, was a career woman before women of the era had careers. She also gave up an advantageous marriage in order to pursue her dreams of success as a writer. Ultimately she chooses a husband who is not the most suitable individual, but who shares her values and goals. It is not surprising then that Alcott was a proponent of women's suffrage.

Sand Creek Massacre

Helen was not the most popular person in Colorado with her championship of Native Americans. While researching injustices against them she read of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 in Colorado (Appendix I of A Century of Dishonor references this event). A large group of Cheyenne and Arapahoes were camped near Fort Lynch by invitation from a Major Wynkoop. He offered them protection and provisions. Instead of a safe haven over 150 Indians (the number of victims varies depending on the source) were massacred by troops led by Colonel Chivington. Most of the victims were women, children, old men and old women. Not only were they killed, but the bodies were mutilated from scalping to various body parts. Helen called these men "a regiment of demons" (Banning, p 153, 1973). Such was the outrage fueled by eyewitness accounts that there were investigations into the massacre.

One of the officers who refused to participate was a Captain Silas Soule (see photo above). His courageous act for refusing an immoral order and for testifying on behalf of the innocent victims, assures him a place as an heroic historical figure. Tragically, he was murdered several weeks after his testimony by a Chivington supporter. Ironically, none of the perpetrators of the massacre were ever punished. It was not until 1987 that a plaque was placed in remembrance of this ignoble event in U.S. history.

This was a time period when White settlers were moving into Indian Territory, with the resulting conflicts. It was also a time period when Western settlers believed in "the only good Indian was a dead Indian". That Helen would dare to defend Indians was a sacrilege for many Coloradans with memories of attacks on settlers in the area.

Perhaps too, if the perpetrators of this massacre had been prosecuted as they should have been, it might have helped prevent future massacres that have been perpetrated like My Lai.

Library

The Helen Hunt Jackson Branch of the Los Angeles Library System can be seen in the photo. This is how it appeared when built in the 1920s. It has since been remodeled as a church.

At the time of the library opening, the Los Angeles Times wrote:

Noerenberg, the architect, ... has succeeded in combining in this new library ample window lighting with sufficient wall and shelving space together with an attractive exterior. There is a main reading room 26 x 25, a children's room 22 x 23, a delightful clubroom for the neighborhood gatherings and kitchen and workroom for the staff. (Los Angeles Times, 1925).

The building was added in 1987, along with several other library branches, to the National Register of Historical Places.