Gerry asked this question about One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd (One Thousand White Women, #1):
I am confused.....I know that the initial premise of a trade of 1000 white women for 1000 horses was turned down by President Roosevelt. But did the 'Brides for Indians' program really occur? Did scores of women volunteer for this program?
Marilyn It did not occur; but if it had leaked to the press, I think the reactions would have been like those of the women in the book. A lot of shock and dis…moreIt did not occur; but if it had leaked to the press, I think the reactions would have been like those of the women in the book. A lot of shock and disgust at the idea of sacrificing "our flowers of womanhood" to the "savages", and then a number of women -- not as many as 1000, but a couple of dozen -- thinking "It could not be worse than my lot right now" and volunteering. One of May Dodd's companions on the train was a Southern belle whose parents died poor and whose intended refused to marry her. Another was a black woman. Another was an English ornithologist whose sponsor left her stranded without cash. May escaped from a lunatic asylum. (Her parents had her confined when she had two children by an 'inferior'.)(less)
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by Jim Fergus (Goodreads Author)
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