Manuscript draft about the Oatman family massacre in 1851, also
included are research materials and photographs pertaining to the draft and
other writings about the Southwest by the author during the 1960s. Research
materials include photocopies of correspondence and documents from the Oatman
family, friends, and Ft. Yuma personnel relating to the massacre, and events
from the later years.
Collection Number:
MS 314
Language
Collection material in English
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
Biographical Note
Father Edward J. Pettid, S.J., was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in
November, 1914. He attended Catholic schools in Phoenix before being ordained
in the Jesuit order in 1947. After serving as an army chaplain for three years,
he taught high schools in Arizona and California for approximately twenty
years.
Scope and Content Note
This collection includes an unpublished manuscript, other published
articles written or edited by E.J. Pettid, research materials and photographs.
His main research topic concerned the Oatman family massacre that took place
near Yuma, Arizona, in February, 1851, and subsequent events involving the
captivity of Mary Ann and Olive Oatman. The manuscript draft, The Oatman Story
(ca. 205 pp.), is a photocopy, and includes handwritten notes and editing by
Pettid. It was probably written in the 1960s. The location of the original is
unknown.
There are seven other articles by him written chiefly about the Oatman
tragedy or related persons and events. These articles were written in the late
1960s, and include "Oatman Story: A Frontier Tragedy," "Oatman Letters Returned
to El Monte," "Henry Stewart Hewitt, MD."
"The Shaman's Tale of Mohave Creation," and "John Lawrence Le Conte,
MD". Research materials ranging from 1849 to 1951 include copies of letters,
legal documents, an article and a few of his notes. Among the photographic
materials are a few originals, copy prints, and some negatives. There are
portraits and snapshots of various Oatman family, members including Olive and
her husband, John Fairchild; of E.J Pettid; and of three unidentified men.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
Seven articles and items written or edited by Pettid. Three
photographs of Henry Hewitt and John Le Conte (some negatives) filed in
Photographs series.
box
folder
1
4
Writings,
1968-1969
Includes:
"The Oatman Story: A Frontier Tragedy."
Arizona Highways, XLVI:11 (Nov.
1968): 4-9.
"Olive Ann Oatman's Lecture Notes and the Oatman
Bibliography."
San Bernardino County Museum Association
Quarterly, XVI:2 Winter, 1968.
"Oatman Letters Returned to El Monte."
The Landmark, El Monte
Historical Society, 4:2 (Jan. 1969). 2 copies.
1
5
Writings,
1969-1980
Includes:
"Henry Stewart Hewitt."
Arizona Medicine, 26:1 (Jan.1969): 62-
70.
"The Shaman's Tale of the Mohave Creation."
Northern Yavapai Record, Jan. 10, 1969:
4.
"John Lawrence Le Conte, M.D."
Arizona Medicine, 33:10 (Oct.
1976): 843-845 (pt. 1 of 2).
"John Lawrence Le Conte, M.D."
Arizona Medicine, 33:11 (Nov. 1976): 956-959
(pt. 2 of 2).
"The Inland California Missions," remarks at celebration of
Saint Thomas Mission, Fort Yuma, bicentennial, Nov. 23, 1980. 2 pages.
Family: (copies of photographs, and a few originals) of
Olive Oatman, John B. Fairchild, various family members (including their
adopted daughter), ca. 1850-1924.
Miscellaneous: includes the Fairchild home in Sherman,
Texas; grave headstones of Olive and John B. Fairchild; J.W. Strode and G.W.P.
Hunt at Arizona grave site, 1927; and a color photograph of a beaded handbag
made by Olive Oatman.
1927, No Date
Three unidentified men.
No Date
Three photographs, one of Dr. Hewitt and two of Dr. Le
Conte, with negatives.
No Date
