Fanny Kelly

Fanny Kelly (born April 15, 1845 in Orillia , Ontario ; † November 15, 1904 ) was an American pioneer woman and author.

Fanny Kelly was the daughter of a James Wiggins who wanted to try his luck in Kansas during the great wave of emigrants between 1852 and 1856. In 1856 he joined a group of settlers who founded Geneva in Allen County, Kansas. He then returned to his family to catch up with them. During the trip he fell ill with cholera and died. His widow continued the journey alone with her daughter Fanny. In Geneva, Fanny met Josiah S. Kelly, whom she married. Since his health was in poor health, the family decided to move to Idaho and joined a small trek on May 17, 1864. This was on July 12, 1864 by a large number Hunkpapa - Sioux attacked, with five killed and White were deported mainly women and children, including Fanny Kelly. Her captivity ended on December 12, 1864 when she was released and handed over to Fort Sully soldiers.

In 1871, Fanny Kelly's memories, in which she depicts her imprisonment in haunting images, appeared publicly for the first time. In contrast to numerous similar, often literarily embellished or even fictitious works, her report was supported by numerous affidavits by army officers and well-known Indian chiefs, including Red Cloud . At the same time, their description differs from the usual mass in other essential details. In addition to the standard elements that the 19th century reading public expected from such books, her work also contains numerous quiet and contemplative moments in which she extensively describes nature. In addition to her hatred of the Indians, which is also clearly evident, she does not fail to mention that the whites also often wronged the Indians, and she substantiates it with numerous examples.

literature

• Fanny Kelly, My Captivity Among The Sioux Indians - Gefangene der Sioux, Bergisch Gladbach, 1995 ISBN 3-404-61900-5

Web links

• Fanny Kelly (Eng.)