Author Archives: Carrie Zeman

A Woman vs. the Patronage System, 1881

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

Chester A. Arthur freely dispenses the patronage favors –jobs and contracts –said to have won his appointment as Vice President. Arthur became President upon the death of  James Garfield (by assassination) six weeks after Caroline McMaster wrote the last letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Patronage System, Women's History | Leave a comment

Legacy of Courage and Freedom: May 22

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

I’ve been waiting to hear a date for Lynne Jackson’s appearance hosted by the Bloomington Human Rights Commission and am happy to pass on the invitation below. Lynne is the founder of the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation and is Scott’s … Continue reading →

Posted in abolition of slavery, Dred Scott | Leave a comment

“We do not loan books &c,” 1885

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

Postcard c. 1910. ” ‘The Joy Ride’ at the California Alligator Farm, Los Angeles, California.” The Carter Museum of American Art via Google Images. ***** Before I return J. Fletcher Williams to the file cabinet, I want to share a … Continue reading →

Posted in J. Fletcher Williams, Minnesota Historical Society | 1 Comment

“Mister, haint you got no books about pirates, or killing Injuns?”

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

The Minnesota Historical Society’s Library-Museum in 1892 I’ve been reading the annual and biennial reports of the Minnesota Historical Society in the 19th century, most of them written by the Society’s stalwart Secretary/Librarian, J. Fletcher Williams. Williams had a high … Continue reading →

Posted in Commemorating Controversy, J. Fletcher Williams, Little Crow, Minnesota Historical Society | Leave a comment

Great Week for Books

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

While I’ve been researching a set of Dakota War artifacts that disappeared 150 years ago, great book news has been unfolding. Catherine Denial gave A Thrilling Narrative a great review in the Spring 2013 edition of Minnesota History. Denial concludes, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thrilling Narrative, accessible publishing, Pond Dakota Press | Leave a comment

“The Scourge of God” Against German “Infidels”

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

A Native American lays down his gun at the feet of Father Francis Xavier (Franz) Pierz and literally looks up to him, while a man of European descent, kneeling, doffs his hat and bows his head. Statue unveiled in 1952, … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Historical Research, German Turners, Religion | Leave a comment

“Sins of Omission, Changes of Heart”

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

I love it when a new book starts out with promise. Last night I started Kathleen Fine-Dare’s Grave Injustice: The American Indian Repatriation Movement and NAGPRA (University of Nebraska Press, 2002). When I encountered this in the Preface, I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, NAGPRA | 1 Comment

150 Years Ago: “The Prison Is One Great School”

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

Slate, slate pencil, and holder, 19th century Saint Anthony Min March 26, 1863 Rev. S. B. Treat My Dear Brother Your letter of the 12th inst. I have read since my reaching home last evening. I had a hard stage-trip … Continue reading →

Posted in Literacy in the Dakota language, Mankato Prison | 1 Comment

1862 Letters From Dakota Men Condemned to be Executed

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

Artist’s depiction of the main Dakota prison at Mankato, MN in 1862 Today, translations of five letters written by condemned Dakota men came to hand. The letters are dated December 25, 1862, the day before the executions. The version I found … Continue reading →

Posted in 1862 Dakota War trials | Leave a comment

The Gardner Art Heist: Solved?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Carrie Zeman

I first encountered the story of the 1990 theft of masterworks from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum two decades after the paintings disappeared, in the “Carrie” stack of my personal bibliophile-shopper (my mom), who flagged Ulrich Boser’s The Gardner Heist: … Continue reading →

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