Remembering Mattie: A Pioneer Woman's Legacy of Grit, Gumption, and GraceTraveling in covered wagons and by train, young Martha Jane Smith (affectionately called Mattie) and her family left Texas in the early 1900s to homestead on the wind-swept High Plains of Eastern New Mexico. Determination was ignited early in Mattie's life-beginning with a rattlesnake bite that meant almost certain death in those days. Not for Mattie! When Mattie was eleven, her mother died. When Mattie was 22, her husband died from the Spanish Flu, leaving her with three young daughters to rear alone. A second marriage produced three sons; the first died one day before his first birthday. Mattie's husband died when the oldest surviving son was only nine. Heartbroken, the young widow refused to give in to futility or despair. Her dire situation again fanned the fire of fierce determination. Though others during the Great Depression lost their homes, Mattie-even as a widow-found a way to buy a house. Whereas others suffered long periods of unemployment, she "landed" a job. While many went hungry all across the United States, she found ways to feed her family as well as others. Many widows depended on relatives during this desperate time, but Mattie took care of her children and helped other families. Before the Depression was over, Mattie established a business. This was before women were accepted in the business world. Though she had no roadmap to guide her, Mattie never considered quitting or turning back. Her business thrived for more than four decades. Mattie's remarkable life provides a role model as relevant today as it was decades ago. "Remembering Mattie: A Pioneer Woman's Legacy of Grit, Gumption, and Grace" is a treasure trove of true stories. Memorable pictures of people and places from the past and historic legal documents and papers (including long-ago newspaper clippings and love letters) add substance and interest to the book. Relevant information about what was going on in the world at the time provides a meaningful backdrop for Mattie's life story. "New York Times" bestselling author Barbara Russell Chesser, PhD, is uniquely qualified to write this book. Born in New Mexico, Barbara lived with Mattie from infancy until young adulthood. After graduating summa cum laude from Eastern New Mexico University, she earned graduate degrees, taught at several universities, and worked internationally. Author of four books, co-author of four other books, and editor of several volumes, Barbara has written for a variety of publications, including "Reader's Digest." |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 9 | |
DANCING ALL NIGHT 1913 Oct 11 1918 | 29 |
I WILL KEEP MY GIRLS Oct 11 1918 Sept 27 1920 | 49 |
GUMPTION | 67 |
A BEND IN THE ROAD May 1 1933 Dec 18 1935 | 101 |
GRANDDAD AND A NICKEL FOR A SPOOL OF THREAD | 117 |
MATTIES CAFÉ 1939 1967 | 139 |
GRACE | 161 |
ROOM FOR ONE MORE 1950s Early 1970s | 189 |
RED SILK PAJAMAS Early 1900s 1980s | 211 |
A GOOD CAR 1913 1970s | 231 |
A REMARKABLE LEGACY LUCKY US | 253 |
Family Histories | 267 |
Matties Genealogy | 295 |
Common terms and phrases
Arkansas baby Barbara Barbara Lee born brother Butch cafes called Charlene Charlene Johnson chickens Chumbley clothes Clovis coffee cooking Creek daughter death Deatherage died dishes dress Dust Bowl E.N.M.U. Special Collections early Eastern New Mexico Elida Elmer enjoyed family members family moved farm father favorite Fort Sumner girls grandchild grandchildren Granddad Grandmother Mattie Grandmother's Grandpa Smith Harve Harve's homestead Homestead Act husband Johnny Joseph Joseph Smith Juanita kids Kinney knew Land Office later Leroy Lewis Campbell Lillie and Charlie Lillie Camilla Lillie's lived loved marriage married Martha Jane Smith Mattie's Café McPeak memories milk mother never night Paul person Phill Russell Photo Portales Price Ranch Provided by Phill relatives remember Roosevelt County someone Spanish Flu story Texas told took town Tunica County Uncle Winnie Winnie's Wise County Witts Spring young