Emily of Fort Davis

Subject: Emily of Fort Davis Sat 23 Jun 2007, 1:34 am

I first learned of Emily (or, 'Indian Emily,' as she usually is called) long years ago in, 'The Romance of Davis Mountains and Big Bend Country,' by Carlisle Graham Raht. This book was published first in 1919, and reprinted in 1962.

About ten years ago, I read in a more recent book of Texas lore that her legend had been debunked.

I'm trying to put the pieces of her story and the interpretations surrounding them into some kind of logical framework. Should anyone be more familiar with the truths and/or fictions associated with Emily, direction would be appreciated!

Here are a couple of links to pages which speak of the legend. The first traces the evolution of Fort Davis from its relinquishment by the Army in 1891, through its establishment as a National Historic Site and into the mid-1960s. I am just beginning to read it, but the interpretations and reactions to the 'Emily' story found there appear to be more telling than the legend itself! The second link takes one to a Christian-oriented celebration of the Lone Star State and its history. The legend of Emily of Fort Davis may be found about halfway down the page.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/foda/adhi/adhit.htm

http://www.christian-messageboard.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php?t60-50.html

Sincerely,

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Joined : 27 May 2007 Posts : 5

This is a cool story. I used to go to Ft. Davis quite a bit when I was young....uh...younger. I remember the story of Emily of Fort Davis.
In recent years ...the "tour" road around the Fort bypasses her gravesite....and you have to walk to get to it.
Somewhere I read or heard that the grave was empty.....Anyone else hear that or WHY they even checked to see if it was.

Emily........reminds me of the "legend/myth/true story" of the Yellow Rose of Texas. Emily West/Morgan......aka Emily de Zavala, wife of Lorenzo de Zavala. I think this might make an interesting thread.

Subject: Re: Emily of Fort Davis Sun 24 Jun 2007, 11:15 pm

Yes! So many Emilys.

T'was so and then not, for a very long time.

I know of a contemporary Emily, whose name was chosen way back ca. 1977 for the wonderful harpist, Mary Emily Mitchell. By the time she came along during the late-1990s, her gold had been discovered and spread abroad. But we hold by the inspiration.

Cee Cee, I haven't yet read the NPS article which details the controvery surrounding 'Indian Emily.' Do you know whether it was ever determined for certain that the traditional burial spot was empty?

And I agree .... the other 'Emilys' whom you brought to attention each bear their own worthy stories, and in the case of our 'Yellow Rose,' at least .... her own enduring mystery.

Thanks so much, Cee Cee.

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Subject: Re: Emily of Fort Davis Tue 17 Jul 2007, 11:15 pm

Cee Cee ... before I shelve this jewel -- and as I am unable to convey the message to other quarters -- Martha Anne Turner contributed an excellent article on Emily Morgan (our 'Yellow Rose') to the 'Ab'-edited volume entitled, 'Legendary Ladies of Texas.' This book is one of many publications of the Texas Folklore Society, and they're all well-worth mining.

Holly
_________________
The woman of the frontier made the best of her situation, for she had developed a respect for the land that gave her freedom as well as the courage to live in it.
~~~ from the perspective of Anne Seagraves

Age : 68 Joined : 04 Feb 2008 Posts : 5

The story of Indian Emily first appears in Carlysle Graham Raht's "Romance of the Davis Mountains and Big Bend Country." The story turns on an Indian maiden warning her lover, an officer at the fort, of an impending Apache attack and then being killed in the attack. The records of the fort, which have been thoroughly researched by the National Park Service (the fort is a National Park Service Historic Site), show that the fort was never attacked while it was occupied by the army. End of story.

Where did Raht get the story? He probably made it up, as he did much else in his book. After all, the title says it is a romance. Caveat emptor.

Lonn Taylor
Fort Davis, Texas