Person.
Quanah Parker (c. 1845-1911) is regarded as the "Last Chief of the Comanche" because, after his death, the title was changed to Chairman.
He was the son of Chief Peta Nocona and Cynthia Ann Parker, a white woman who had been kidnapped as a child and assimilated into the Comanches. She spent 24 years living as a Comanche and having three children. Texas Rangers captured her at about age 34, and returned her against her will to family. She spent the next ten years trying, and failing to adjust. In 1871, she refused to eat and died of starvation after her daughter died of pneumonia.
Quanah was never officially elected Chief, but he emerged as a major figure in the Red River War of the early 1870s, and the federal government recognized him as Chief. In 1875, he surrendered and led his band of Comanche to an Oklahoma reservation. Even though he had never lost in battle, he realized that the near extinction of the bison threatened to destroy the Comanche. He became one of the most famous, and wealthiest, Indians of his day, and he became a chief emissary between Native Americans and Congress. He also went on several hunting trips with President Theodore Roosevelt, influencing Roosevelt's policy on national parks and conservation.
Empire of the Summer Moon is one of the best written books on Native Americans in my library. It tells the story of the most powerful tribe in North America and the chief who led it from war to reservation.
Place.
The Comanche tribe has been called the most powerful Indian tribe in American history, and they dominated a larger home territory than any other other tribe. They were called the greatest horsemen in the world, and their arrows and lances stopped Spanish incursions from Mexico and French encroachment from Louisiana. They dominated every other tribe within and along their borders. As white Americans moved into Texas, they were very nearly forced back by the Comanches. For forty years, Texans and Comanches fought, leading to the creation of the Texas Rangers and the invention of the Six-Gun. Those things combined with the never ending stream of settlers and the decimation of bison herds finally forced the Comanches to surrender.
The Comanche tribe has been called the most powerful Indian tribe in American history, and they dominated a larger home territory than any other other tribe. They were called the greatest horsemen in the world, and their arrows and lances stopped Spanish incursions from Mexico and French encroachment from Louisiana. They dominated every other tribe within and along their borders. As white Americans moved into Texas, they were very nearly forced back by the Comanches. For forty years, Texans and Comanches fought, leading to the creation of the Texas Rangers and the invention of the Six-Gun. Those things combined with the never ending stream of settlers and the decimation of bison herds finally forced the Comanches to surrender.
Things.
The primary Comanche weapons were the bow and arrow and lance. After learning to train and ride horses introduced by the Spanish, they became one of the most fierce cavalries on earth.
The Comanche bow was a compound bow made from bison, elk, or mountain sheep horn. It took weeks to create a bow. First, the horns would be soaked until flexible. Then strips would be cut, filled, shaved, and smoothed. The strips would be glued together with glue made from bison horns and hooves. Finally, bison sinews bound the joints of the bow.
Comanche bows and arrows were designed to shoot accurately up to 300 yards. At a distance of up to 15 yards, a 30 inch arrow could be driven entirely through a bison, provided that it struck no bones. It was said that a Comanche archer could shoot 6 arrows before the first hit its target, often on horseback at full gallop.
The six to seven feet long lances, and the lance head alone could be up to 30 inches in length. Lances were not thrown, but thrusted.
For close fighting they used war clubs and tomahawks.
The primary Comanche weapons were the bow and arrow and lance. After learning to train and ride horses introduced by the Spanish, they became one of the most fierce cavalries on earth.
The Comanche bow was a compound bow made from bison, elk, or mountain sheep horn. It took weeks to create a bow. First, the horns would be soaked until flexible. Then strips would be cut, filled, shaved, and smoothed. The strips would be glued together with glue made from bison horns and hooves. Finally, bison sinews bound the joints of the bow.
Comanche bows and arrows were designed to shoot accurately up to 300 yards. At a distance of up to 15 yards, a 30 inch arrow could be driven entirely through a bison, provided that it struck no bones. It was said that a Comanche archer could shoot 6 arrows before the first hit its target, often on horseback at full gallop.
The six to seven feet long lances, and the lance head alone could be up to 30 inches in length. Lances were not thrown, but thrusted.
For close fighting they used war clubs and tomahawks.
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On February 18, I spotlighted Darktown, the first novel of a trilogy written by Thomas Mullen, about the first black police officers in Atlanta. Today, #2 in the series, Lightning Men, which takes place shortly after the Darktown action, but it's not necessary to have read Darktown.
These books are tough to read for a native Georgian, but history is tough sometimes. These books are based on events and attitudes that Atlantans and Georgians want to forget; I was never taught any of this.
Lightning Men deals with the Columbians, a neo-nazi racist terrorist group that was founded in Atlanta in 1946. There were numerous pro-nazi groups in America before entry into WWII, with thousands of members, but the Columbians were the first post-war group. The founders were Homer Loomis and Emory Burke, from New York and Alabama, respectively.
They soon amassed followers from Atlanta's mill workers and labor unions. They claimed 2000 members, but authorities put the number at less than 200. They dressed in khakis, wore a lightning insignia resembling the German SS, and held marches and drills in public places.
They dreamed of winning elections and instituting deportations of minorities, blacks to South Africa and Jews to somewhere in the Mediterranean. In Atlanta, they focused violence and terror on black families who were moving into white neighborhoods. In the wake of two violent incidents in the fall of 1946, the state of Georgia revoked the group's charter, Burke and Loomis were convicted of inciting to riot and usurping police powers, and the organization was finished by June 1947.
For more info, I suggest starting with the New Georgia Encyclopedia online article, "Columbians."
On February 18, I spotlighted Darktown, the first novel of a trilogy written by Thomas Mullen, about the first black police officers in Atlanta. Today, #2 in the series, Lightning Men, which takes place shortly after the Darktown action, but it's not necessary to have read Darktown.
These books are tough to read for a native Georgian, but history is tough sometimes. These books are based on events and attitudes that Atlantans and Georgians want to forget; I was never taught any of this.
Lightning Men deals with the Columbians, a neo-nazi racist terrorist group that was founded in Atlanta in 1946. There were numerous pro-nazi groups in America before entry into WWII, with thousands of members, but the Columbians were the first post-war group. The founders were Homer Loomis and Emory Burke, from New York and Alabama, respectively.
They soon amassed followers from Atlanta's mill workers and labor unions. They claimed 2000 members, but authorities put the number at less than 200. They dressed in khakis, wore a lightning insignia resembling the German SS, and held marches and drills in public places.
They dreamed of winning elections and instituting deportations of minorities, blacks to South Africa and Jews to somewhere in the Mediterranean. In Atlanta, they focused violence and terror on black families who were moving into white neighborhoods. In the wake of two violent incidents in the fall of 1946, the state of Georgia revoked the group's charter, Burke and Loomis were convicted of inciting to riot and usurping police powers, and the organization was finished by June 1947.
For more info, I suggest starting with the New Georgia Encyclopedia online article, "Columbians."
Place.
A lot of the story of Thomas Mullen's book Lightning Men involves white violence and terror directed toward black families moving into predominantly white neighborhoods after World War II. This is a 1938 map of Atlanta. The predominantly black neighborhoods are shown in red. Redlining became the term for the institutionalized bias against minority families that existed for much of the 20th century. Banks refused to make loans, and insurance companies refused to insure minority families and businesses trying to move into white areas. Unfortunately, and incredibly, some argue that similar practices still exist in some places, and there are occasional reports of black-owned properties being valued higher when appraisers are led to believe the owners are white.
A lot of the story of Thomas Mullen's book Lightning Men involves white violence and terror directed toward black families moving into predominantly white neighborhoods after World War II. This is a 1938 map of Atlanta. The predominantly black neighborhoods are shown in red. Redlining became the term for the institutionalized bias against minority families that existed for much of the 20th century. Banks refused to make loans, and insurance companies refused to insure minority families and businesses trying to move into white areas. Unfortunately, and incredibly, some argue that similar practices still exist in some places, and there are occasional reports of black-owned properties being valued higher when appraisers are led to believe the owners are white.
Thing
Today's thing is dynamite. It is shocking whenever you realize how often the KKK and other terror organizations and individuals used dynamite to bomb black homes, churches, and businesses during the civil rights movement. Birmingham Alabama earned the nickname "Bombingham" because of the 50 dynamite explosions that occurred in the city between 1947 and 1965, the most famous of course being the 16th Street Baptist Church.
In Atlanta, the most famous bombing was on October 12, 1958, when 50 sticks of dynamite exploded at the oldest synagogue in the city, commonly known as "the Temple." In 1960, another bomb exploded outside of the English Avenue School.
Dynamite was apparently relatively easy to lay hands on 75 years ago. Not only was it used in demolition and construction, it was also used by farmers to clear rocks and trees from fields and orchards.
Today's thing is dynamite. It is shocking whenever you realize how often the KKK and other terror organizations and individuals used dynamite to bomb black homes, churches, and businesses during the civil rights movement. Birmingham Alabama earned the nickname "Bombingham" because of the 50 dynamite explosions that occurred in the city between 1947 and 1965, the most famous of course being the 16th Street Baptist Church.
In Atlanta, the most famous bombing was on October 12, 1958, when 50 sticks of dynamite exploded at the oldest synagogue in the city, commonly known as "the Temple." In 1960, another bomb exploded outside of the English Avenue School.
Dynamite was apparently relatively easy to lay hands on 75 years ago. Not only was it used in demolition and construction, it was also used by farmers to clear rocks and trees from fields and orchards.
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Here's another for fans of The Gilded Age series on HBO.. Fortune's Children, written by Arthur Vanderbilt II.
In the series, Bertha Russell seems to be modeled after Alva Vanderbilt, who turned New York society, and its self-appointed gatekeeper Caroline Astor, upside down. The real Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont was not from the wrong side of the tracks. She was from a very prominent Mobile Alabama family that summered in Newport and took European vacations. In 1875, she married the grandson of "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, William.
The couple built a mansion between 5th Avenue and 52nd Street, NYC. It occupied an entire city block. At first, Mrs. Astor was reluctant to welcome the Vanderbilts into high society, the vaunted "400" --- so-called supposedly because that's how many people could fit in the Astor ballroom. Determined to crack the 400, Alva christened the new home in March 1883 by throwing a masquerade ball for 1000 guests. In today's dollars, the party cost between 3 and 5 million. The success of the party not only launched Alva into high society, but also launched massive public and press interest in the plutocracy.
But she was more than just a socialite. She shocked society by divorcing Vanderbilt for adultery, unheard of at the time. She also became a dedicated suffragist. She co-founded the National Woman's Party with Alice Paul and purchased the group's headquarters building. In 2016, that mansion became part of the new Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.
Here's another for fans of The Gilded Age series on HBO.. Fortune's Children, written by Arthur Vanderbilt II.
In the series, Bertha Russell seems to be modeled after Alva Vanderbilt, who turned New York society, and its self-appointed gatekeeper Caroline Astor, upside down. The real Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont was not from the wrong side of the tracks. She was from a very prominent Mobile Alabama family that summered in Newport and took European vacations. In 1875, she married the grandson of "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, William.
The couple built a mansion between 5th Avenue and 52nd Street, NYC. It occupied an entire city block. At first, Mrs. Astor was reluctant to welcome the Vanderbilts into high society, the vaunted "400" --- so-called supposedly because that's how many people could fit in the Astor ballroom. Determined to crack the 400, Alva christened the new home in March 1883 by throwing a masquerade ball for 1000 guests. In today's dollars, the party cost between 3 and 5 million. The success of the party not only launched Alva into high society, but also launched massive public and press interest in the plutocracy.
But she was more than just a socialite. She shocked society by divorcing Vanderbilt for adultery, unheard of at the time. She also became a dedicated suffragist. She co-founded the National Woman's Party with Alice Paul and purchased the group's headquarters building. In 2016, that mansion became part of the new Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument.
Place.
The mansion was built for William K. Vanderbilt, second son of William H. Vanderbilt. and Maria Louisa Kissam from 1878 to 1882. Determined to make her mark in New York society, Vanderbilt's wife Alva worked with the noted architect, Richard Morris Hunt to create the French Renaissance-style chateau. Known as the Petit Chateau, was located at 660 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street.
Completed in 1882, it was the scene of a huge ball, with 1000 guests, hosted by Alva Vanderbilt in 1883. Sold to a developer in 1926, it was demolished in 1927.
The mansion was built for William K. Vanderbilt, second son of William H. Vanderbilt. and Maria Louisa Kissam from 1878 to 1882. Determined to make her mark in New York society, Vanderbilt's wife Alva worked with the noted architect, Richard Morris Hunt to create the French Renaissance-style chateau. Known as the Petit Chateau, was located at 660 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street.
Completed in 1882, it was the scene of a huge ball, with 1000 guests, hosted by Alva Vanderbilt in 1883. Sold to a developer in 1926, it was demolished in 1927.
Thing..
The March 1883 masquerade ball held by Alva Vanderbilt to showcase the Petite Chateau, the Vanderbilt mansion on 5th Avenue, New York City attracted the 1,000 most socially prominent people in the city, all trying to out do each other in costume. Picture number 1 is Alva in her costume.
However, the award for most outrageous may go to Miss Kate Fearing Strong, whose costume was inspired by her nickname, "Puss." She wore a taxidermied cat on her head and seven real cat tails were sewn into her skirt.
The March 1883 masquerade ball held by Alva Vanderbilt to showcase the Petite Chateau, the Vanderbilt mansion on 5th Avenue, New York City attracted the 1,000 most socially prominent people in the city, all trying to out do each other in costume. Picture number 1 is Alva in her costume.
However, the award for most outrageous may go to Miss Kate Fearing Strong, whose costume was inspired by her nickname, "Puss." She wore a taxidermied cat on her head and seven real cat tails were sewn into her skirt.
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In honor of tonight's premiere of the new Ken Burns documentary on Ben Franklin (PBS, check local listings), here's The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. It's Franklin's memoir, written off and on from 1771 to 1790. It was unpublished during his lifetime, and the first edition was published in France, in French, in 1791. A couple of translations were published in London shortly after, and it's been published in various forms ever since. In 1969, it became the first full length book ever recorded
Owing to Franklin's popularity and standing, it became an indispensable part of American culture and households. According to Jess McHugh in Americanon: An Unexpected US History in Thirteen Bestselling Books, Franklin's life and advice became the ultimate example of being a hard-working, driven, self-made man. If a family owned and read a book other than the Bible in the 19th century, it was probably Autobiography. School lessons and curricula were taught, and sermons delivered based on the book.
Franklin's common law wife Deborah Read was a very important part of Franklin's life, although many people are put off by the fact that they lived apart, on separate continents even, for at least 15 years. They met when she was 17, but he was not considered a suitable match. She was pushed to marry another man. She left him after a short time when he proved unsuitable, but they never divorced. For that reason, when Franklin returned, they formed a common-law marriage, never official. As Franklin served the colonies in Europe and continued ring Franklin, Deborah refused to accompany him, citing her fear of ocean travel. She remained In Philadelphia, running his businesses and raising his children. They last saw each other in 1764. She had a series of strokes beginning in 1768, and she died in 1774.
In honor of tonight's premiere of the new Ken Burns documentary on Ben Franklin (PBS, check local listings), here's The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. It's Franklin's memoir, written off and on from 1771 to 1790. It was unpublished during his lifetime, and the first edition was published in France, in French, in 1791. A couple of translations were published in London shortly after, and it's been published in various forms ever since. In 1969, it became the first full length book ever recorded
Owing to Franklin's popularity and standing, it became an indispensable part of American culture and households. According to Jess McHugh in Americanon: An Unexpected US History in Thirteen Bestselling Books, Franklin's life and advice became the ultimate example of being a hard-working, driven, self-made man. If a family owned and read a book other than the Bible in the 19th century, it was probably Autobiography. School lessons and curricula were taught, and sermons delivered based on the book.
Franklin's common law wife Deborah Read was a very important part of Franklin's life, although many people are put off by the fact that they lived apart, on separate continents even, for at least 15 years. They met when she was 17, but he was not considered a suitable match. She was pushed to marry another man. She left him after a short time when he proved unsuitable, but they never divorced. For that reason, when Franklin returned, they formed a common-law marriage, never official. As Franklin served the colonies in Europe and continued ring Franklin, Deborah refused to accompany him, citing her fear of ocean travel. She remained In Philadelphia, running his businesses and raising his children. They last saw each other in 1764. She had a series of strokes beginning in 1768, and she died in 1774.
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Even though he was born in Boston and spent much of his life in Europe, Benjamin Franklin will forever be connected with the city of Philadelphia, where he started his printing business..
As a member of the First Continental Congress, he met at Carpenters Hall. Independence Hall is where he helped shape much of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. His house and workshop no longer stand but the site is home to a Benjamin Franklin Museum. At Fireman's Hall, there is a firefighter museum and a nod to Franklin as founder of the first organized volunteer fire department in America. His giant head overlooks the city at the One Liberty tower observation floor. Finally, he is buried at the Christ Church Burial Ground, beside the fence and street. Visitors often leave pennies on his gravesite, commemorating his famous saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned."
Even though he was born in Boston and spent much of his life in Europe, Benjamin Franklin will forever be connected with the city of Philadelphia, where he started his printing business..
As a member of the First Continental Congress, he met at Carpenters Hall. Independence Hall is where he helped shape much of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. His house and workshop no longer stand but the site is home to a Benjamin Franklin Museum. At Fireman's Hall, there is a firefighter museum and a nod to Franklin as founder of the first organized volunteer fire department in America. His giant head overlooks the city at the One Liberty tower observation floor. Finally, he is buried at the Christ Church Burial Ground, beside the fence and street. Visitors often leave pennies on his gravesite, commemorating his famous saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned."
Thing.
One of the most popular sections of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin consisted of 13 desirable virtues that he had determined to be most necessary. He fully admitted that he had to work consciously to develop the virtues himself. He developed a plan and charted his progress, working on one virtue until attaining mastery, before moving on to the next. People have used his list and system ever since.
The virtues:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreme s; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
One of the most popular sections of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin consisted of 13 desirable virtues that he had determined to be most necessary. He fully admitted that he had to work consciously to develop the virtues himself. He developed a plan and charted his progress, working on one virtue until attaining mastery, before moving on to the next. People have used his list and system ever since.
The virtues:
1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreme s; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
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Whaling was a huge part of the economy of the US until the mid-19th century. New England crews left ports like Nantucket, New Bedford, and Salem and sailed to the Pacific, hunting whales and turning their blubber into whale oil, used for lamps and industrially. Whaling brought huge wealth to New England, but it started to slow in the 1850s when kerosene was discovered, and the whale population was severely threatened.
In 1819, first-time Captain, George Pollard Jr., took the Essex out whaling. The Essex was a small-ish whaler, only 88 feet in length, carrying a crew of 21. Struck by a storm four days out, the ship suffered a great deal of damage, exacerbated by the inexperience if the captain and crew. Rather than returning to Nantucket, Captain Pollard followed his subordinate officers' advice to continue to the Azores for repairs. Five months later in January of 1820, the Essex finally reached the Pacific.
On November 30, 1820, the crew spotted an 85-feet long sperm whale. Then, the whale seemed to speed up and take a course straight for the ship, hitting the port side twice, marking the first incident of a whale attacking a ship. The men were forced to abandon ship into three small boats. They sailed together for two months, but one separated from the other two. Beginning on Jan 20, Pollard gave in to his starving crew, and they started eating the dead sailors. When only four men remained alive on Pollard's boat, and there were no more bodies,, they agreed to draw lots to determine who would be killed and eaten. Pollard's cousin, Owen Coffin, drew the lot, and he was shot and eaten. Pollard and one other survivor on his boat were rescued on February 23rd. They were reunited with the other boat survivors in Chile. Pollard returned home in August 1821. He captained one more whaler that ran aground and sailed on one other ship before ending his sea career and becoming a night watchman.
Herman Melville's Moby Dick was based on the Essex story. Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea tells the story.
Whaling was a huge part of the economy of the US until the mid-19th century. New England crews left ports like Nantucket, New Bedford, and Salem and sailed to the Pacific, hunting whales and turning their blubber into whale oil, used for lamps and industrially. Whaling brought huge wealth to New England, but it started to slow in the 1850s when kerosene was discovered, and the whale population was severely threatened.
In 1819, first-time Captain, George Pollard Jr., took the Essex out whaling. The Essex was a small-ish whaler, only 88 feet in length, carrying a crew of 21. Struck by a storm four days out, the ship suffered a great deal of damage, exacerbated by the inexperience if the captain and crew. Rather than returning to Nantucket, Captain Pollard followed his subordinate officers' advice to continue to the Azores for repairs. Five months later in January of 1820, the Essex finally reached the Pacific.
On November 30, 1820, the crew spotted an 85-feet long sperm whale. Then, the whale seemed to speed up and take a course straight for the ship, hitting the port side twice, marking the first incident of a whale attacking a ship. The men were forced to abandon ship into three small boats. They sailed together for two months, but one separated from the other two. Beginning on Jan 20, Pollard gave in to his starving crew, and they started eating the dead sailors. When only four men remained alive on Pollard's boat, and there were no more bodies,, they agreed to draw lots to determine who would be killed and eaten. Pollard's cousin, Owen Coffin, drew the lot, and he was shot and eaten. Pollard and one other survivor on his boat were rescued on February 23rd. They were reunited with the other boat survivors in Chile. Pollard returned home in August 1821. He captained one more whaler that ran aground and sailed on one other ship before ending his sea career and becoming a night watchman.
Herman Melville's Moby Dick was based on the Essex story. Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea tells the story.
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Today's book is Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea, the story of the whaling ship Essex which sailed from Nantucket to the Pacific from 1819 to 1821. There, it was sunk by a sperm whale, and the survivors turned to cannibalism to survive. The story inspired Moby Dick
If you find yourself near New Bedford Massachusetts, you have to visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum for great exhibits and education about American whaling. New Bedford has so much history besides whaling, too. For example, it was also a center of the antebellum abolitionist.
Today's book is Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea, the story of the whaling ship Essex which sailed from Nantucket to the Pacific from 1819 to 1821. There, it was sunk by a sperm whale, and the survivors turned to cannibalism to survive. The story inspired Moby Dick
If you find yourself near New Bedford Massachusetts, you have to visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum for great exhibits and education about American whaling. New Bedford has so much history besides whaling, too. For example, it was also a center of the antebellum abolitionist.
Thing.
American whalers were largely New Englanders. The best whaling area and most whales were in the Pacific. That meant a whaling voyage might last two years or more, with few stops. What did the sailors do to pass the time on ship? Many learned the art of Scrimshaw carving.
Scrimshaw is scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory. Typically it refers to the artwork created by whalers, engraved on the byproducts of whales, such as bones or cartilage. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses.
Scrimshaw essentially was a leisure activity for whalers. Because the work of whaling was very dangerous at the best of times, whalers were unable to work at night. This gave them a great deal more free time than other sailors. A lot of scrimshaw was never signed, and a great many of the pieces are anonymous. Early scrimshaw was done with crude sailing needles, and the movement of the ship, as well as the skill of the artist, produced drawings of varying levels of detail and artistry. Originally, candle black, soot or tobacco juice would have been used to bring the etched design into view. Also, ink was used that the sailors would bring on before the voyage. Today's artists use finer tools in various sizes, mostly borrowed from the dental industry. Some scrimshanders ink their work with more than one color, and restrained polychromed examples of this art are now popular. (Wikipedia)
American whalers were largely New Englanders. The best whaling area and most whales were in the Pacific. That meant a whaling voyage might last two years or more, with few stops. What did the sailors do to pass the time on ship? Many learned the art of Scrimshaw carving.
Scrimshaw is scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory. Typically it refers to the artwork created by whalers, engraved on the byproducts of whales, such as bones or cartilage. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, the baleen of other whales, and the tusks of walruses.
Scrimshaw essentially was a leisure activity for whalers. Because the work of whaling was very dangerous at the best of times, whalers were unable to work at night. This gave them a great deal more free time than other sailors. A lot of scrimshaw was never signed, and a great many of the pieces are anonymous. Early scrimshaw was done with crude sailing needles, and the movement of the ship, as well as the skill of the artist, produced drawings of varying levels of detail and artistry. Originally, candle black, soot or tobacco juice would have been used to bring the etched design into view. Also, ink was used that the sailors would bring on before the voyage. Today's artists use finer tools in various sizes, mostly borrowed from the dental industry. Some scrimshanders ink their work with more than one color, and restrained polychromed examples of this art are now popular. (Wikipedia)
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Since I went to maritime New England yesterday I'll stick around there for today's book, one just recently read. Deliberate Evil is the story of the murder of retired Salem sea captain Joseph White in 1830 and the trials of his killers, in which one of America's greatest orators and politicians, Daniel Webster, served as prosecutor. Honestly not the best book I've read in a while, but an interesting and often overlooked, even purposely hidden, part of history.
Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was born in New Hampshire and became a successful lawyer in Portsmouth. His opposition to the War of 1812 brought him into politics, and he was elected to the House of Representatives for two terms. He became the most famous lawyer in America, arguing over 200 cases before the US Supreme Court, including Gibbons v Ogden, Dartmouth v Woodward, and McCulloch v Maryland. He returned to the House in 1823, then to the Senate in 1827. He became an opponent of President Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun's nullification theory. His Second Reply to Haynes speech, on the subject of nullification, is regarded as one of the greatest speeches ever delivered in Congress.
He was a founder of the National Republican and the Whig parties, and he ran for President in 1836 and 1852. He served as Secretary of State under Harrison, Tyler, and Fillmore. He negotiated the Webster- Ashburton Treaty, settling the American-British dispute over the Canadian border
In the trial following Captain White's murder in Salem, he led the prosecution team, making the case national news, but the powerful Salem families involved managed to keep the whole episode out of history books and general knowledge for decades.
Since I went to maritime New England yesterday I'll stick around there for today's book, one just recently read. Deliberate Evil is the story of the murder of retired Salem sea captain Joseph White in 1830 and the trials of his killers, in which one of America's greatest orators and politicians, Daniel Webster, served as prosecutor. Honestly not the best book I've read in a while, but an interesting and often overlooked, even purposely hidden, part of history.
Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was born in New Hampshire and became a successful lawyer in Portsmouth. His opposition to the War of 1812 brought him into politics, and he was elected to the House of Representatives for two terms. He became the most famous lawyer in America, arguing over 200 cases before the US Supreme Court, including Gibbons v Ogden, Dartmouth v Woodward, and McCulloch v Maryland. He returned to the House in 1823, then to the Senate in 1827. He became an opponent of President Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun's nullification theory. His Second Reply to Haynes speech, on the subject of nullification, is regarded as one of the greatest speeches ever delivered in Congress.
He was a founder of the National Republican and the Whig parties, and he ran for President in 1836 and 1852. He served as Secretary of State under Harrison, Tyler, and Fillmore. He negotiated the Webster- Ashburton Treaty, settling the American-British dispute over the Canadian border
In the trial following Captain White's murder in Salem, he led the prosecution team, making the case national news, but the powerful Salem families involved managed to keep the whole episode out of history books and general knowledge for decades.
Place.
By 1790, Salem had become the sixth-largest city in the country, and a world-famous seaport—particularly in the China trade. It had a large cod fishing industry, conducted off the Newfoundland Banks. It exported codfish to Europe and the West Indies imported sugar and molasses from the West Indies, tea from China, and products depicted on the city seal from the East Indies – in particular Sumatran pepper. Salem ships also visited Africa in the slave trade– Zanzibar in particular. They also traveled to Russia, Japan, and Australia.
The slave trade was made illegal in 1808, but whaling and trading ships still relied on Salem-born captains and sailors By 1830, when Captain White was murdered, Salem families had become quite wealthy and powerful through the China trade, and those families found themselves entangled in the murder and trial.
If you visit Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum does a fantastic job of telling the economic story of Salem, and be sure to read Deliberate Evil before you go.
By 1790, Salem had become the sixth-largest city in the country, and a world-famous seaport—particularly in the China trade. It had a large cod fishing industry, conducted off the Newfoundland Banks. It exported codfish to Europe and the West Indies imported sugar and molasses from the West Indies, tea from China, and products depicted on the city seal from the East Indies – in particular Sumatran pepper. Salem ships also visited Africa in the slave trade– Zanzibar in particular. They also traveled to Russia, Japan, and Australia.
The slave trade was made illegal in 1808, but whaling and trading ships still relied on Salem-born captains and sailors By 1830, when Captain White was murdered, Salem families had become quite wealthy and powerful through the China trade, and those families found themselves entangled in the murder and trial.
If you visit Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum does a fantastic job of telling the economic story of Salem, and be sure to read Deliberate Evil before you go.
Thing.
What does the game of Clue have to do with the 1830 murder of Salem Captain Joseph White?
During WWII, a whodunnit board game was developed in the UK. It was called Cluedo. The Parker Brothers purchased the US rights to the game and called it Clue. The Parker Brothers were the grand-nephews of Judge Parker, who was supposed to officiate at the trial of Captain White's alleged murders, but he died the night before the trial started. The Parker Brothers used the floorplan of Captain White's house in Salem, where the murder occurred, as inspiration for the layout of the gameboard.
The White mansion still stands in Salem. It is known as the Gardner-Pingree House, and the Peabody Essex Museum owns it. It has been restored to 1814, and it is open for guided tours.
The murder also inspired writers Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allen Poe, Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" in particular.
What does the game of Clue have to do with the 1830 murder of Salem Captain Joseph White?
During WWII, a whodunnit board game was developed in the UK. It was called Cluedo. The Parker Brothers purchased the US rights to the game and called it Clue. The Parker Brothers were the grand-nephews of Judge Parker, who was supposed to officiate at the trial of Captain White's alleged murders, but he died the night before the trial started. The Parker Brothers used the floorplan of Captain White's house in Salem, where the murder occurred, as inspiration for the layout of the gameboard.
The White mansion still stands in Salem. It is known as the Gardner-Pingree House, and the Peabody Essex Museum owns it. It has been restored to 1814, and it is open for guided tours.
The murder also inspired writers Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allen Poe, Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" in particular.
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Person.
Oliver Potzsch was born in 1970 and grew up in Bavaria, Germany. As a child, he heard stories of his ancestors from his grandmother; she told him that he was descended, on his mother's side from a 17th century executioner named Jakob Kuisl. In fact, he had 14 ancestors who had served as executioners from the 16th to the 19th centuries in southern Bavaria, near the Alps. The position of executioner was usually passed down through a family's men.
Potzsch filed away that information, and, as an adult, he started researching. Then, he began creating a fictional world for Jakob Kuisl in 17th century Schongau, Bavaria. The result was the novel, The Hangman's Daughter, the first in a series of 7 historical novels that feature Jakob and his family solving mysteries.
Most executioners at the time were trained professionals, usually sons learning from their fathers since it was a hereditary position. Some villages and towns had a full-time executioner, but often executioners had an area in which they traveled. They were paid and, while they were regarded as necessary, townspeople usually shunned them and their families, and they were forced to live in the most undesirable part of the village.
They not only had to know how to kill, but they also had to know how to torture, since torture was a big part of the legal process. Executioners therefore developed an incredible amount of knowledge about the human body, comparable, if not superior, to the knowledge of the town doctor. They also had to keep accused people conscious and alive for their torture and executions, so executioners and their wives often knew a lot about medicinal plants, poisons, and cures.
I've read all the books in the series and found them to be very enjoyable and educational; they are very well-researched.
Oliver Potzsch was born in 1970 and grew up in Bavaria, Germany. As a child, he heard stories of his ancestors from his grandmother; she told him that he was descended, on his mother's side from a 17th century executioner named Jakob Kuisl. In fact, he had 14 ancestors who had served as executioners from the 16th to the 19th centuries in southern Bavaria, near the Alps. The position of executioner was usually passed down through a family's men.
Potzsch filed away that information, and, as an adult, he started researching. Then, he began creating a fictional world for Jakob Kuisl in 17th century Schongau, Bavaria. The result was the novel, The Hangman's Daughter, the first in a series of 7 historical novels that feature Jakob and his family solving mysteries.
Most executioners at the time were trained professionals, usually sons learning from their fathers since it was a hereditary position. Some villages and towns had a full-time executioner, but often executioners had an area in which they traveled. They were paid and, while they were regarded as necessary, townspeople usually shunned them and their families, and they were forced to live in the most undesirable part of the village.
They not only had to know how to kill, but they also had to know how to torture, since torture was a big part of the legal process. Executioners therefore developed an incredible amount of knowledge about the human body, comparable, if not superior, to the knowledge of the town doctor. They also had to keep accused people conscious and alive for their torture and executions, so executioners and their wives often knew a lot about medicinal plants, poisons, and cures.
I've read all the books in the series and found them to be very enjoyable and educational; they are very well-researched.
Place.
Although Jacob Kuisl and his family travel a bit in The Hangman's Daughter series, many of the stories are set in Schongau, Bavaria, near the Alps. Today, the population is about 12,000. The town center is still surrounded by the well-,preserved medieval city wall.
It was founded during the 13th century, and it was an important trade hub during the Middle Ages. A major fire in 1493 destroyed much of the town, and reconstruction wasn't completed until 1514. Because of its location, it also was involved in military conflicts numerous times. Nevertheless, the town remained relatively prosperous until the discovery of America changed European trade patterns
Although Jacob Kuisl and his family travel a bit in The Hangman's Daughter series, many of the stories are set in Schongau, Bavaria, near the Alps. Today, the population is about 12,000. The town center is still surrounded by the well-,preserved medieval city wall.
It was founded during the 13th century, and it was an important trade hub during the Middle Ages. A major fire in 1493 destroyed much of the town, and reconstruction wasn't completed until 1514. Because of its location, it also was involved in military conflicts numerous times. Nevertheless, the town remained relatively prosperous until the discovery of America changed European trade patterns
Thing.
One of the devices used by executioner Jacob Kuisl in The Hanging Daughter series is the wheel. The breaking wheel or execution wheel or simply the wheel, was a torture method used to garner confessions and also used for public execution, primarily in Europe, by breaking the bones of a criminal or bludgeoning them to death. The practice was abolished in Bavaria in 1813 and in the Hesse in 1836: the last known execution by the "Wheel" took place in Prussia in 1841.
If you want more gruesome details, you can look up "Breaking wheel" on Wikipedia.
One of the devices used by executioner Jacob Kuisl in The Hanging Daughter series is the wheel. The breaking wheel or execution wheel or simply the wheel, was a torture method used to garner confessions and also used for public execution, primarily in Europe, by breaking the bones of a criminal or bludgeoning them to death. The practice was abolished in Bavaria in 1813 and in the Hesse in 1836: the last known execution by the "Wheel" took place in Prussia in 1841.
If you want more gruesome details, you can look up "Breaking wheel" on Wikipedia.
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