Olive Oatman: Life among the Mohave

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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - D Kelly
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

Other Biographics Videos:

Croesus: All the Money in the World

Robert Hanssen: The FBI Mole who Spied for the KGB

[mkptrsn]

In 1889 at age 3, my great-grandfather wandered off during the night when his family was moving from central Minnesota to the northern part of the state. They searched for him for a few days but figured he died or was killed by a wolf, so they moved on. Sometime later they heard about a little blond boy living in an Ojibwa village about 100 miles south, and were reunited. They always lived around the Native Americans there, and he was able to converse with the Ojibwa and Chippewa in their languages.

[onemercilessming]

I lived in the high desert of California for about 10 years. You cannot imagine the beauty of it, the wide open spaces surrounded by mountain ranges that block most weather fronts from penetrating the vastness. There are white light mornings and vanilla sunsets, contrasted with other days of sunrises and sunsets painted from a vivid palette of colors. The heat of Summer contrasts with the wind and sometimes biting cold of Winter, which is followed by a brief but spectacular explosion of colors heralding Spring. Even autumn has its own loveliness, but do not expect the fall foliage of the East Coast. There is little humidity in the desert and even less rainfall. However, the late summer thunderstorms with their flashes of lightning streaking through black low-hanging clouds and followed by sometimes triple full bow rainbows can leave you mute with wonder. I miss living there, so very much.

[beanalupines]

I lived a long time in Needles California in the Mojave Desert. The Mohave Tribe has their tribal headquarters there. Just across the Colorado River is Oatman AZ. It is named after Olive and every one in the area knows her story.

[cynnx]

she has this strange intimidating beauty in the few photos that remain of her. besides her physical attraction, there is something about her eyes and stare... like there is nothing that can bring her down and a sense of measured confidence... I don't know, but it's very admirable. I respect her.

[chrisortiz]

I have seen her before and knew part of her story but did not know of her brothers struggle. That's real love and dedication.

[Robert_Browne]

Famous last words of American settlers: "We should have waited a few years and taken the train.

[khyvich]

I was born in the Mojave Desert near the banks of th Mojave River and lived there until I was seventeen. It is truly a magical place, awesome with awe-inspiring sounds and smells and sights. I can only imagine the Mojave that Olive knew before the destruction caused by the off-road vehicles that turned a paradise into ruts and dust.

[michelledudley]

Olive Oatman was my 14th cousin thrice removed. Many years ago my grandmother gave me the book about her. I don't know if she knew we were related to Olive Oatman or not. Thank you for making this video available for people to watch about my cousin.

[delstanley]

Then there's the Cynthia Parker story. I think a few movies were made based on her life. In Texas there is a state park (Fort Parker) near Mexia built by her family. She was captured there by the Comanches before she was a teen. She became the mother of Comanche chief Quanah. Unlike Olive Oatman she had forgotten how to speak English and never felt comfortable away from her "adoptive" tribe.

[jamesb.]

This is one fascinating tale finally heard. Heartbreaking 'as she went to her sister's grave one last time' before leaving with her rescuer.

[sahpem]

She lost two families. 😔 That must’ve been so hard...

[moniquethomas]

What an absolutely amazing story. I several times in my life have seen the old Daguerreotype of the "tattooed While Girl" and would have never guessed she had the intense life that she did. Not ever. Thank you for bringing these details to life, delivered with both a refreshing, intense wit and a natural, splendid Anglo accent. Love your uploads, keep up the dazzling work.

[sillybilly]

This is just prime for a major film adaptation or mini series on Olive's life. Wow, what a tale.

[Wasserkaktus]

The Tattoos Olive and her Sister received were actually blue and the primary ingredient was a local agave plant. The Mojave didn't tattoo them as a mere "sign of respect", but the meaning runs far, far deeper than that.

In Mojave Cosmology, when the Dead reach the Underworld (all people end up here), the shades of the former living are almost indistinguishable from one another. The facial tattoos the Mojave put on one another, however, remained very distinct and carried into the Underworld: It was the way that the Mojave would be able to recognize one another and live together there.

Thus, the Mojave tattooing Olive and her Sister actually meant that they saw both of them as literal fellow Mojave. The Mojave actually loved the two of them, and Olive's claim in "her" memoir of her experiences (which were in fact dictated to a third party) that the Mojave were cruel and never truly accepted the Oatmans is patently false.

[regandevereaux]

"this one goes to 11" You are always head and shoulders above the crowd but in this biography you were truly exceptional. Having left England college, at 28😏, for California. 20+ years on I often find intellectually fulfilling, never mind inspiring, experiences beyond my own, my grown sons and a small, very small, circle of friends. The content, rich details, your commitment to including only the facts you can verify and, honestly, your presentation which was as near to perfect as we humans can reach. Dude, you were in "the Jeopardy zone"! This sense of mental contentment, that there is no more to seek, is such an unfamiliar state for me. Thank you for your dedication, high standards and, of course, all the content on your outstanding channels. I and my boys have learned so much through this "entertainment"... inspiring!

[KingsOfSpins]

How has the life of Olive Oatman not been made into a movie ? Great work the Biographics team.

[petermcculloch]

The author of the book I read about Olive Oatman believed she was happy with the Mohave.I concluded she was a person who was able to adapt to what ever circumstances she found herself in, hence the reason she was able to comfortably return to "civilised" life.

[Elf_Hour]

For anyone wondering, Olive is buried in Sherman, Texas. You can freely visit the cemetery. It is about an hour North of Dallas. The cemetery is located just West of Hwy 75, near downtown.

[ignitionfrn]

1:35 - Chapter 1 - The road to hell is paved with good intentions
4:40 - Chapter 2 - Just a few names among the dead
10:10 - Mid roll ads
11:50 - Chapter 3 - From slave to treasure
15:55 - Chapter 4 - The desperate search of a heartbroken brother

[twincities]

A book also worth checking out:
'Scalp Dance: Indian Warfare on the High Plains, 1865-1879'
Based on first hand accounts and drawn from primary sources of the settling of the American West.