Description
By: Elinore Pruitt Stewart (1878-1933)
Letters of a Woman Homesteader is a delightful collection of letters written by Elinore Pruitt Stewart as she navigates life on a homestead in Wyoming in the early 1900s. Stewart’s writing is charming and genuine, giving readers a glimpse into the daily ups and downs of ranch life.
The letters are filled with colorful descriptions of the landscape, the people she meets, and the challenges she faces as a single woman homesteader. Stewart’s resilience and determination shine through in her storytelling, making her a truly inspiring figure.
What makes this book truly special is Stewart’s voice – she is witty, observant, and fiercely independent. Her love for the land and the people she encounters is palpable, and her optimism in the face of adversity is truly admirable.
Overall, Letters of a Woman Homesteader is a heartwarming and engaging read that offers a unique perspective on life in the American West. Stewart’s wit and wisdom make this book a must-read for anyone interested in history, women’s studies, or just good old-fashioned storytelling.
Book Description:
The writer of the following letters is a young woman who lost her husband in a railroad accident and went to Denver to seek support for herself and her two-year-old daughter, Jerrine. Turning her hand to the nearest work, she went out by the day as house-cleaner and laundress. Later, seeking to better herself, she accepted employment as a housekeeper for a well-to-do Scotch cattle-man, Mr. Stewart, who had taken up a quarter-section in Wyoming. The letters, written through several years to a former employer in Denver, tell the story of her new life in the new country. They are genuine letters, and are printed as written, except for occasional omissions and the alteration of some of the names. (Publishers’ Note, May 1914)