Page 203 - Confronting Race Women and Indians on the Frontier, 1815 - 1915

F R O N T I E R P L A C E : G E N D E R MATTERS

She loved Aunt Sophia's "wonderfully clean house," extensive collec­
tion of handiwork, and the many little kindnesses she extended to her
young caller. 143
Positive contacts between white and native women often blos­
somed into deeper associations, at least according to white women.
Unfortunately, because Indian history is based on oral tradition, the sub­
altern voice is largely unavailable. In addition, because of different word
usage and subtle meanings in Indian languages and in English, even
translated accounts are unclear or misleading. 144 Thus, Indian women's
views are typically obscure, which leaves white women's writings as the
only, and often romanticized, accounts. 145 One tale comes f r om army
wife Alice Baldwin, who after crimping and waving native women's hair,
discovered that "thereafter the Indian women were my firm fr iends, and
rendered me various f a vors and kindnesses."With great insight, Baldwin
commented that they were brought together by "feminine vanity and
tastes," which she f e lt were "much the same the world over, no matter
what the race or color." On one occasion, Baldwin consented to undress
partially so Indian women could see the paraphernalia that she wore.
"Crinoline and corsets they marveled at, but did not admire," she
remarked. As they examined her various articles of clothing and f u ssed
over her beautifully dressed hair, she was struck by their voices, which
seemed "naturally soft and melodious." As she sat among them, "listen­
ing to their chatter and laughter, and no doubt passing uncomplimen­
tary comments" about her, she "felt that it all meant sincerity, which
does not always prevail in a cultured and f a shionable society."14 6
f
Other white and native women exchanged bits of e male knowl­
edge, lore, and f o lk medicine. For instance, Mormon migrant Eliza
Roxey Snow learned about sego roots f r om native women. Snow
f
claimed that sego "proved to be a nutritious, substantial article of o od,
1
and not unpalatable." 47 Similarly, an Oklahoma woman recalled that
she learned about "palatable and very healthful" greens and roots by
accompanying Indian women on their gathering and digging expedi­
tions into nearby woods. 148 Others learned how to use herb remedies
or how to treat a rattlesnake bite with raw turkey meat. 149 At time of
childbirth, white women sought Indian midwives and received gifts
fr om Indian women. One California woman raved about "beautiful

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