An Improbable Pioneer: The Letters of Edith S. Holden Healy 1911-1950
Commentary by Cathy Healy
Reviewed by Barbara Hartley
An Improbable Pioneer is exactly that, improbable. It begins when Alec Healy, a sheepherder from Buffalo, Wyoming while attending school in Boston, falls in love with Edith Sampson Holden. After many years of courting, a wedding came about on April 3, 1911. The book contains the letters written by a proper lady from Boston, an accomplished violinist and a member of one of Boston’s “best families,” as a way of keeping in close contact with her mother Elizabeth. Edith writes about her travels of coming to Buffalo, Wyoming. Alec Healy does everything possible to make sure that Edith is comfortable; not missing any of the luxuries to which she was accustomed.
Travel through time with the Healys as they encounter women voting, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, and World War II. I can assure you, the reader, that you will not be disappointed. Edith’s letters are so descriptive and detailed you will feel as if you are right there with her. You will read of living on the range, riding adventures, visits with neighbors, parties and how accommodating the people of Buffalo were in the 1900s. I had to ask myself why Edith’s letters were so detailed and the only answer was that they had to be! How anyone from the East could have imagine what the West was life would be nearly impossible. I believe Edith was trying to tell her mother and family of the things they would see and what to expect should they come to visit, and mostly to relieve their worry. Let’s face it; life in Wyoming in 1911 could be an adventure! Woven through the pages of this book are challenges, sadness, adventure, love, compassion and humor.
In the beginning much of what Alec and Edith did came from the needs of the sheep herding business. Edith never indicated that she was inconvenienced at all. Alec took care of everything while on the range. While staying in Buffalo, Edith became very involved with meetings, playing her violin at different social functions, as well as in church. She promoted higher education and was respected by many people. You will find interesting facts about the happenings and time in Buffalo, perhaps some things that even people who have lived here their entire lives may not know.
In 1922 the Healys moved form Buffalo over the mountain to Worland where Alec became a bank officer at the First National Bank of Worland. When you read this book you will find out how Alec was involved with the sugar beet industry as well. Alec won election to the legislature and Edith became involved with the Girl Scouts as she had been before. She was able to involve manny women and communities with this organization. Edith’s letters encourage but offer strength and sometimes strong opinions of the Girl Scout activities.
Edith describes in detail the family growth, the children’s schooling, where and if they attended college, the meetings of sons and daughters-in-law and if there were grandchildren born, and where they ended up living. After the Healy children were settled on their own, Alec and Edith did more traveling. Edith especially enjoyed the Central American countries where the weather was warm. There were dinners, dances and adventures such once being chased with guns while their airplane was taking off! I had to chuckle at some of Edith’s letters when they offered a bit of a “surprise” opinion. This must happen as we get a bit more settled with age. You will find that Edith is very organized and may be why her travels went so well. Whenever Edith traveled, she made friendships with many women, especially this involved with the Girl Scouts. Edith learned of hardships and how these women and girls overcame them.
You will frequently find pictures throughout this book. These various photographs show sheep herding, maps, land, living arrangements, the towns, the homes, friends, family and children. One of the letters I most enjoyed was the letter of advice to her eldest granddaughter Kay, who was entering high school. This letter has some of the best advice that I have ever had the pleasure to read, not only was it applicable then but we could all relate to what was written. In the beginning it was difficult for me to grasp all the family names; where they fit and who belonged to women, but once I started reading the letters it was then that some of the names started to fall into place. The chapter notes at the end of the book really helped as well. I could definitely recommend this book, and I do hope that you, the reader, will enjoy this book as much as I did.
I will never look at dragonflies the same…
Commentary by Cathy Healy
Reviewed by Barbara Hartley
An Improbable Pioneer is exactly that, improbable. It begins when Alec Healy, a sheepherder from Buffalo, Wyoming while attending school in Boston, falls in love with Edith Sampson Holden. After many years of courting, a wedding came about on April 3, 1911. The book contains the letters written by a proper lady from Boston, an accomplished violinist and a member of one of Boston’s “best families,” as a way of keeping in close contact with her mother Elizabeth. Edith writes about her travels of coming to Buffalo, Wyoming. Alec Healy does everything possible to make sure that Edith is comfortable; not missing any of the luxuries to which she was accustomed.
Travel through time with the Healys as they encounter women voting, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, and World War II. I can assure you, the reader, that you will not be disappointed. Edith’s letters are so descriptive and detailed you will feel as if you are right there with her. You will read of living on the range, riding adventures, visits with neighbors, parties and how accommodating the people of Buffalo were in the 1900s. I had to ask myself why Edith’s letters were so detailed and the only answer was that they had to be! How anyone from the East could have imagine what the West was life would be nearly impossible. I believe Edith was trying to tell her mother and family of the things they would see and what to expect should they come to visit, and mostly to relieve their worry. Let’s face it; life in Wyoming in 1911 could be an adventure! Woven through the pages of this book are challenges, sadness, adventure, love, compassion and humor.
In the beginning much of what Alec and Edith did came from the needs of the sheep herding business. Edith never indicated that she was inconvenienced at all. Alec took care of everything while on the range. While staying in Buffalo, Edith became very involved with meetings, playing her violin at different social functions, as well as in church. She promoted higher education and was respected by many people. You will find interesting facts about the happenings and time in Buffalo, perhaps some things that even people who have lived here their entire lives may not know.
In 1922 the Healys moved form Buffalo over the mountain to Worland where Alec became a bank officer at the First National Bank of Worland. When you read this book you will find out how Alec was involved with the sugar beet industry as well. Alec won election to the legislature and Edith became involved with the Girl Scouts as she had been before. She was able to involve manny women and communities with this organization. Edith’s letters encourage but offer strength and sometimes strong opinions of the Girl Scout activities.
Edith describes in detail the family growth, the children’s schooling, where and if they attended college, the meetings of sons and daughters-in-law and if there were grandchildren born, and where they ended up living. After the Healy children were settled on their own, Alec and Edith did more traveling. Edith especially enjoyed the Central American countries where the weather was warm. There were dinners, dances and adventures such once being chased with guns while their airplane was taking off! I had to chuckle at some of Edith’s letters when they offered a bit of a “surprise” opinion. This must happen as we get a bit more settled with age. You will find that Edith is very organized and may be why her travels went so well. Whenever Edith traveled, she made friendships with many women, especially this involved with the Girl Scouts. Edith learned of hardships and how these women and girls overcame them.
You will frequently find pictures throughout this book. These various photographs show sheep herding, maps, land, living arrangements, the towns, the homes, friends, family and children. One of the letters I most enjoyed was the letter of advice to her eldest granddaughter Kay, who was entering high school. This letter has some of the best advice that I have ever had the pleasure to read, not only was it applicable then but we could all relate to what was written. In the beginning it was difficult for me to grasp all the family names; where they fit and who belonged to women, but once I started reading the letters it was then that some of the names started to fall into place. The chapter notes at the end of the book really helped as well. I could definitely recommend this book, and I do hope that you, the reader, will enjoy this book as much as I did.
I will never look at dragonflies the same…