Letters of a Woman Homesteader, (Paperback)

"Peopled with the kinds of characters most novelists only dream of" (Christian Science Monitor), this classic account of American frontier living captures the rambunctious spirit of a pioneer who set out in 1909 to prove that a woman could ranch. A series of letters make for a fascinating narrative and descriptive journal of Mrs. Stewart's life, moving from the city to a Wyoming homestead, marrying and still having the determination to homestead on her own. Stewart's captivating missives bring to full life the beauty, isolation, and joys of working the prairie. Experience the unflinching optimism and enduring spirit of a true pioneer woman: A True Story in Letters: Follow Elinore Pruitt Stewart's journey from a Denver laundress to a Wyoming homesteader through the authentic, charming, and heartfelt letters she wrote to a former employer. Female Independence: Discover the story of a woman who, despite marrying her rancher employer, was determined to file on and "prove up" on her own 160 acres, proving that a woman could succeed on her own terms. Unforgettable Frontier Characters: Meet a cast of neighbors as memorable as any in fiction, from the reclusive and kindly Zebulon Pike to the unflappable Mrs. O'Shaughnessy and a host of other pioneers. The Joy of Simple Living: Share in the profound happiness Elinore finds not in escaping hardship, but in the beauty of a sunset, the satisfaction of hard work, and the unwavering kindness of neighbors.