odanny
Diamond Member
In 1850 the Oatman Family began traveling west from Independence Missouri on their way to California.
Father- Roys Oatman - Mother- Mary Ann Oatman
Children- Lorenzo (15), Roland, Roy Oatman Jr, Marry Ann (7), Charity Ann, Lucy Ann and Olive Oatman (14). Aged ranging from 1 year old to 17.
By 1851 the family was just approaching Maricopa Wells Near Gila Bend. Here they made camp, rested, and discussed their next stretch of the journey. Roys decided he wanted to take Gila bend along the Gila River and the Ranchers, Laborers, and a couple miners told the Oatman's that in the area they wished to go into was filled with hostile Indians and they may very well be met with peril.
On their fourth day out from Maricopa Wells, they came crossed some natives who approached them asking for food and tobacco. Somehow the talks turned hostile and the Indians attacked with great violence.
All were killed except for Olive and Marry Ann, who were taken as captives and Lorenzo, who was clubbed and knocked unconscious. When Lorenzo awoke he found that his entire family was killed or missing and belongings still on fire. He made his way back to Maricopa Wells and recovered then later returned to bury his family and reclaim what property he was able to salvage.
Olive and Marry Ann however had a much more terrible ordeal.
Olive identified the natives as Tonto Apache, but it is argued that they might have been Western Yavapai.
Once they arrived in the Indians camp (Located in the Harquahala Mountains) the two girls were treated very harsh. Being forced to forage for their food, haul water and firewood for the camp, sleep outside in every weather condition and sadly they were regularly beaten.
After a year a year had passed, a group of Mohave Indians came into camp and they traded horses, blankets, powder for firearms, food and other trinkets. During this exchange the two girls were sold to the Mohave and they left being captives of yet another tribe and they feared even worse treatment.
Quickly however, both Olive and Marry Ann noticed how friendly the Mohave were toward them, even giving them land to cultivate of their very own. Soon after they were purchased by the Mohave from the Apache, the Mohave accepted the two girls into the tribe and gave them tattoos on their chins, as was custom to the culture.
The girls had a chance to leave with some American traders/settlers who came into the Mohave camp and stayed for a few days. The girls didn't want to leave the Mohave band and never attempted to make any contact with her own people.
In 1855 a harsh food shortage his the Mohave and Marry Ann died of starvation as well as many other members of the band.
One day a Yuma Indian came into the Mohave camp with a message from Fort Yuma, requesting validation as they heard rumors of a white woman living in the camp and why she was not returned or the reason in which she wanted to not be released. The Mohave expressed their deep love and affection for Olive. Olive in return expressed her love for the Mohave and that she would stay with the tribe.
Fort Yuma sent a second message shortly after with trade goods this time. The post commander was determined to free this captive and after long dead end talks and persistence, he purchased Olive Oatman for 5 or 10 blankets and a white horse as well as a harsh threat.
That he, his men and all he can summon will ride down on the village and kill everything that breathes if they didn't hand Olive over to them. The Mohave agreed and tears were shed by every member of the tribe as Olive rode out of the camp as she was loved by all.
Upon arriving at Fort Yuma, a great crowed cheered and celebrated her return from captivity. Soon she reunited with her brother Lorenzo (Who had never stopped looking for her and her sister Marry Ann and never gave up hope that they were still alive) and the reunion so was so epic and emotional that is made headlines across the nation.
Olive went on to write a book about her ordeal. Her story sold over 30,000 copies and being a best seller during that time. With the money she made from the books sold she used this to pay for the education of herself and her brother Lorenzo. Olive passed away from a heart attack on March 20, 1903 and is buried in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman Texas.
Her story and the story of the massacre are a large part of Arizona's history and past. It is my goal that these events in our states history don't become lost or forgotten.
The location of the massacre site and family graves are located west of Gila Bend and north of Sentinel.
Take I-8 to Sentinel, Exit 87, and head north 1.3 miles on Aqua Caliente Road. There is a hiking trail that is labeled as Easy with a distance of 10.6 miles. Even with the trail being easy, be sure to bring and drink lots of water.
If you would like to get your hands on the full story of Olive Oatman , be sure to check out Margot Mifflin’s book on Olive’s story.
https://margotmifflin.com/the-blue-tattoo/
Father- Roys Oatman - Mother- Mary Ann Oatman
Children- Lorenzo (15), Roland, Roy Oatman Jr, Marry Ann (7), Charity Ann, Lucy Ann and Olive Oatman (14). Aged ranging from 1 year old to 17.
By 1851 the family was just approaching Maricopa Wells Near Gila Bend. Here they made camp, rested, and discussed their next stretch of the journey. Roys decided he wanted to take Gila bend along the Gila River and the Ranchers, Laborers, and a couple miners told the Oatman's that in the area they wished to go into was filled with hostile Indians and they may very well be met with peril.
On their fourth day out from Maricopa Wells, they came crossed some natives who approached them asking for food and tobacco. Somehow the talks turned hostile and the Indians attacked with great violence.
All were killed except for Olive and Marry Ann, who were taken as captives and Lorenzo, who was clubbed and knocked unconscious. When Lorenzo awoke he found that his entire family was killed or missing and belongings still on fire. He made his way back to Maricopa Wells and recovered then later returned to bury his family and reclaim what property he was able to salvage.
Olive and Marry Ann however had a much more terrible ordeal.
Olive identified the natives as Tonto Apache, but it is argued that they might have been Western Yavapai.
Once they arrived in the Indians camp (Located in the Harquahala Mountains) the two girls were treated very harsh. Being forced to forage for their food, haul water and firewood for the camp, sleep outside in every weather condition and sadly they were regularly beaten.
After a year a year had passed, a group of Mohave Indians came into camp and they traded horses, blankets, powder for firearms, food and other trinkets. During this exchange the two girls were sold to the Mohave and they left being captives of yet another tribe and they feared even worse treatment.
Quickly however, both Olive and Marry Ann noticed how friendly the Mohave were toward them, even giving them land to cultivate of their very own. Soon after they were purchased by the Mohave from the Apache, the Mohave accepted the two girls into the tribe and gave them tattoos on their chins, as was custom to the culture.
The girls had a chance to leave with some American traders/settlers who came into the Mohave camp and stayed for a few days. The girls didn't want to leave the Mohave band and never attempted to make any contact with her own people.
In 1855 a harsh food shortage his the Mohave and Marry Ann died of starvation as well as many other members of the band.
One day a Yuma Indian came into the Mohave camp with a message from Fort Yuma, requesting validation as they heard rumors of a white woman living in the camp and why she was not returned or the reason in which she wanted to not be released. The Mohave expressed their deep love and affection for Olive. Olive in return expressed her love for the Mohave and that she would stay with the tribe.
Fort Yuma sent a second message shortly after with trade goods this time. The post commander was determined to free this captive and after long dead end talks and persistence, he purchased Olive Oatman for 5 or 10 blankets and a white horse as well as a harsh threat.
That he, his men and all he can summon will ride down on the village and kill everything that breathes if they didn't hand Olive over to them. The Mohave agreed and tears were shed by every member of the tribe as Olive rode out of the camp as she was loved by all.
Upon arriving at Fort Yuma, a great crowed cheered and celebrated her return from captivity. Soon she reunited with her brother Lorenzo (Who had never stopped looking for her and her sister Marry Ann and never gave up hope that they were still alive) and the reunion so was so epic and emotional that is made headlines across the nation.
Olive went on to write a book about her ordeal. Her story sold over 30,000 copies and being a best seller during that time. With the money she made from the books sold she used this to pay for the education of herself and her brother Lorenzo. Olive passed away from a heart attack on March 20, 1903 and is buried in West Hill Cemetery in Sherman Texas.
Her story and the story of the massacre are a large part of Arizona's history and past. It is my goal that these events in our states history don't become lost or forgotten.
The location of the massacre site and family graves are located west of Gila Bend and north of Sentinel.
Take I-8 to Sentinel, Exit 87, and head north 1.3 miles on Aqua Caliente Road. There is a hiking trail that is labeled as Easy with a distance of 10.6 miles. Even with the trail being easy, be sure to bring and drink lots of water.
If you would like to get your hands on the full story of Olive Oatman , be sure to check out Margot Mifflin’s book on Olive’s story.
https://margotmifflin.com/the-blue-tattoo/
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