Martha Summerhayes (1846–1911)

Outstanding personal memoir of Army life on the civilian side. As an Army veteran who has served in Arizona myself, I could empathize with some of the horrors of marching on foot through Arizona in summer and early autumn. I recommend using an historical atlas of Arizona to get an idea of the amount of land covered by these folks in wagons and on foot. Martha's account is highly readable and realistic, not shying away from uncomfortable truths like many of her contemporaries would. She even show more allowed as how the soldiers used strong language on occasion! When I finished this book I turned back to the beginning to read it again. Interesting and educational. show less

First published in 1910, Vanished Arizona is a memoir of Mrs. Summerhayes's adventures as an Army wife in the last quarter of the 19th century. Even though they were stationed everywhere from New York to Nevada, the heart of this book focuses on her time in Arizona. Those were definitely her most formative and challenging years.

Arizona in the 1870s was a hostile place. Indians were barely held in check. There was no air conditioning. The journey from San Francisco by itself took three weeks show more and involved a long paddle boat ride up the Gulf of California and the Colorado River. Martha looked on her new home with abject horror - this was a desolate place that lacked green, the company of womenfolk, or even the presence of doctors or priests. After her son was born, Martha was left very ill, and in her state of weakness they were restationed - again - traveling by mule train across the state. Somehow, despite the terrors of Arizona, the place grew on her. She came to love the peaks of the Superstitions, the copper muscles of the young Indian bucks, and the practicality of the Mexican women (her husband refused to let her "dress as a Mexican", forcing her to wear long sleeves and to-the-neck dresses when it was 122-degrees - no wonder she was constantly so ill!).

This book was absolutely fascinating. I share many of Martha's opinions on Arizona, though I haven't had to go through any of her extreme travails. I wouldn't last a week without air conditioning. Martha has kind views on the minorities she encounters, though they are still within the context of the times. I loved to read of her travels across the state; despite her duress, there was something magical about seeing the countryside in such a raw form.

I am definitely keeping this book on my shelf. show less

Vanished Arizona is the autobiographical account of Martha (Mattie) Durham Summerhayes who was born to a prosperous New England family in a spacious, comfortable home on Nantucket Island in 1846. She married handsome John (Jack) Summerhayes, a Civil War veteran and a lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry and in 1874, Jack’s 8th Infantry regiment was transferred to Arizona. At that time, Arizona was a U.S. Territory with a non-Indian population of about 20,000. Mattie went with him. show more She would live to regret it, yet as she explained thirty years later, “I had cast my lot with a soldier and where he was, was home to me.” The hardships she had to endure in 1870’s Arizona Territory are nearly unimaginable today.

Throughout the book she tells many stories about life and conditions in different camps and forts in which she lived with her expanding family. I thought it was a really interesting read, especially for someone like me who has lived in Arizona for decades. It was published in 1908 so it has a bit of a dated feel to the writing. It was a fascinating look at the early American West.

TBR 1445 show less

Fascinating story of a young bride with her army husband and their experiences in Arizona during the late 18th century. She is a young woman who is totally unprepared for life in the 'wild' west. Her stories of traveling from camp to camp in Arizona and having to make a home in extremely harsh and primitive conditions is awe inspiring. Especially moving is when she has her first child, far from anyone who can help her . She is completely ignorant of childbirth and caring for a newborn. I show more couldn't help but wonder how many young women today would survive these conditions. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Arizona, life as an army wife, and anyone wanting to read a story of someone who doesn't give up but makes the best she can of life in a difficult situation. show less