Their upbeat character and you will passion for neighborhood allowed their in order to survive in this “” new world “” you to illustrated a rough go from their unique comfy Pewee Valley household
They became involved with September, 1881, simply 6 months after its very first appointment, when you’re Mamie are checking out family members friends John and you may Ida Wilcox at the Fort Clark, Texas, in which Henry was then providing. The new happier chaperone, that has known Henry for a long time, said to Mamie’s mother having effusive compliment to possess their own upcoming the fresh child-in-rules. ..their daughter becomes a number one spouse and you also a son-in-law out-of the person you is to start with happy. But the package changed on the slip out-of 1881 whenever Mamie composed so you’re able to Lawton to come to Pewee Area when it is possible to since their own more youthful sibling, Alice, ended up being given serious attention sick.
Fearing death, Alice wished to be present when Mamie and you will Lawton was basically married together with asked your date for the wedding feel went right up. Lawton expected an exit away from lack for ie and you can Henry Lawton was indeed married on Edgewood with the 12th out-of December, 1881. Brand new service are an instant, silent, and you can bittersweet enjoy on Alice’s bedside in one of the highest-ceilinged upstairs bedrooms. Minister S. Age. Bass-Lawton’s former leader out-of their Civil Combat routine, the fresh 30th Indiana-presented the latest service. Annie Craig supported since the witnesses, and you will Alice’s doc and you may husband was basically along with present. Alice passed away 24 hours later. Just after, Mamie packed their own some thing and you may, more than likely pursuing the a beneficial tearful goodbye from the Pewee Valley’s show depot, boarded a train so you’re able to Louisville with her spouse en route so you’re able to yet another lives due to the fact a military partner from the Western.
Mamie because the an armed forces Wife about Western 1912 postcard examine off Base. Huachuca, where Lawtons resided whenever you are Henry is actually chasing after Geronimo
Louis the day just after fulfilling Mamie, according to the page the guy later penned to his pal, however they stored in reach
?Immediately after their relationships, Mamie implemented Henry so you’re able to a succession out-of military listings along side southwest. It went on basic toward head office of your Armed forces District off The Mexico for the Albuquerque, Brand new Mexico Region, in which Lawton offered because the Acting Professional from January, 1882 so you can Oct, 1883. They after gone to live in Fort Stanton, The new Mexico Area, where Lawton asked troops up to Can get, 1884. Eventually, obligations took these to Fort Huachuca, Arizona Area, hence turned into their house up to ie’s sis, Merton Craig, decades after advised a reporter you to “my personal sister’s commitment so you can their unique husband are admirable. She constantly wanted to end up being that have him, and she thought that she could fearless one risk which he you’ll . . . As he carry out score requests going anywhere Mrs. Lawton do quickly beginning to clean up and now have happy to supplement him.” Including devotion included lose. Lifestyle toward an armed forces franska brud post was rough even for the new hardest troops, just who commonly complained away from high temperatures, filthy requirements, bad restaurants, and you will pervading state. Henry’s really works tend to got him away from the fort for several days, months, if you don’t weeks at once, leaving Mamie to care for the family by yourself.
Departing Pewee, Mamie exchanged groomed lanes that veined gentle hills for dirt roads that scored dusty grassland. She swapped dignified trees that blotted shade across civilized lawns for starving oaks that twisted toward white-hot sky. Fortunately, Mamie’s optimistic bent and eye for the beauty around her found plenty to enjoy in the dramatic western expanse. If Annie Fellows Johnson’s descriptions of fort life in her Little Colonel books are, indeed, based on comments Mamie shared with her, they recount a world in which rugged nature offered freedom and joy. Henry understood his wife’s pleasure in noticing the beauty of her surroundings and helped feed her interest. While away from Fort Huachuca on campaign, he once wrote to her about the interesting birds, bugs and plants he encountered, including “a great variety of doves” and another bird “that makes a noise just like a kitten mewing, not like a cat but a little kitten, and if you did not know it was not you would be certain a kitten was about.” He even planned to send her specimens of an interesting red bug, expecting that “you could color your lemonade and make strawberry ice cream without strawberries.”
