The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913 Page: 432
464 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Southwestern IHistorical Quarterly
the great trails, the missions, Fr6mont's explorations, the gold dis-
coveries, the soldier and the settler, cows and cowboys, and the
railroads. On the whole, the chapters are well and interestingly
written for the purpose, and with a fair degree of accuracy of
statement.
The principal shortcomings of the book are on the side of omis-
sion rather than of commission. It is written from the standpoint
of the Northwest, and by no means covers the ground indicated
by its title, which embraces the whole of the Trans-Mississippi
West. The point of view is nicely illustrated by the fact that
the chapter on missions is placed after that on the Oregon and
California trails, and is devoted almost entirely to nineteenth cen-
tury missionary work. This narrow view of the West is shown
by the fact that the list of western explorers omits the names of
De Le6n, St. Denis, La Harpe, Kino, Anza, Font, Garces, Es-
calante, De M'zibres, and Vial. Similarly, in the history of the
fur trade, no mention is made of Natchitoches, second only in im-
portance to St. Louis, nor of the century long work of the French
and Spanish fur traders west of the Mississippi. In the account
of Catholic missions in the Southwest no mention is made of the
French missionaries in Louisiana and Arkansas; of the Spanish
Franciscans in 'Texas, where they labored for a century and a
quarter; or of the Spanish Jesuits in Arizona. In the list of great
western trails, the San Antonio trail, reaching from Natchez to
Durango, and in use for more than a century, finds no mention.
The history of "soldier and settler" fails to touch the settlement
of Texas or of the western half of the Mississippi valley, except
on its outer edge.
Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that it covers only about one-
third of the field which it defines, the book is distinctly worth
while as an aid to elementary teaching; and the partial view of
Western History presented by this author may serve as a helpful
suggestion to others whose standpoints are different but equally
local. In view of the growing interest in the history of the West,
many similar books are bound to be written; and the outcome will
be, at no distant day, a revision of the text-books and a very con-
siderable shifting of emphasis in the teaching of United States
history in the schools.
HERBERT E. BOLTON.432
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913, periodical, 1913; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101058/m1/440/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.