Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume 4, No. 2
June, 1926
BOOK REVIEW
Page
210
PIONEER DAYS IN THE EARLY SOUTHWEST.
By Grant Foreman, of Muskogee, Okla., published by The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1926, 349, p. $6.00.
Grant Foreman of Muskogee has made a most interesting and excellent contribution to the literature of this part of the country,
in his recently published book, "Pioneer Days in the Southwest."
Besides adhering to the authentic records, and giving us important facts and figures, the author has contrived to make his
book breathe the romance of the western plain and throughout its pages there runs the sweet fragrance of prairie flowers,
and the surge of the south wind.
Early explorations in Louisiana, the establishment of Fort Smith, Ark., the pathetic recital of the first tentative efforts
made by ardent missionaries of the East who dreamed of converting the Red Man to the White Man’s religion, and followed their
destinies to the hard lives and lonely deaths in the wilderness, are graphically told in the first part of Mr. Foreman’s book.
Fort Gibson and those brave days when Washington Irving ventured into the wilds make engrossing reading.
We have the Osage Massacre, the various peace attempts made by the government with the western tribes, garrison life, and
the gigantic tale of Sam Houston, one of the most glittering figures in all history of the great Southwest. The stamp of his
influence and spirit still lives in this land.
Mr. Foreman not only brings out all the important facts connected with the birth and settlement of the country which includes
what is now Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, but he also quotes some quaint and charming old letters
and diaries which transport us in fancy back to the time when this country was in the making.
Page
211
The book is indeed, a distinct addition to Oklahoma’s literature, and we can recommend its reading to all who may, while they
reside here now and call this home, perhaps, be in ignorance of how the lovely land, now so prosperous and so beautiful, was
made to grow.
There is no romance lovelier than that of the Southwest and Mr. Foreman has captured this elusive thing and imprisoned it
within the pages of his excellent book.
(The above review was written by Mrs. Walter Ferguson).
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