Ada Claire Darby, Writer and The Road to Paradise by Mary A. Owen as retold by Tina Cook
Entry/Object ID
L2012.21.341
Description
Ada Claire Darby, Writer and The Road to Paradise by Mary A. Owen as retold by Tina Cook. Typed script about Ada Claire Darby and Mary Alicia Owen, early women writers from St. Joseph, under the heading "The Story of St. Joseph Prominent Citizens". (3 copies)
Ada Claire Darby--Writer
Miss Ada Claire Darby was born in St. Joseph in 1883. She wrote several children's books about the history of Missouri. Miss Darby went to school here in St. Joseph and she worked for several years at the newspaper, The St. Joseph News Press.
In her childhood, Miss Darby visited her grandparents in Franklin, Missouri. When she was older she decided that she would like for boys and girls to enjoy hearing about the town and places she had loved. She wrote a book which she called "Hickory Goody", a story of an early river town where many boats tied up, waiting for passengers and freight.
Mary Alicia Owen--Writer
Miss Mary A. Owen was born in an old-fashioned frame house on North Ninth Street. She was the oldest daughter of Pioneer parents. Her grandfather, James Cargill, operated the first mill on the Missouri River. Her father, Mr. James A. Owen, was born in Kentucky and came to St. Joseph in 1844. He was a lawyer and he held several public offices.
Miss Mary A. Owen was interested in Indian life. She understood the Indian tribes and their culture. She studied their dances and their customs. She was so much liked by the tribes that she became a member of the Sac and of the Fox Indian tribes. She collected stories and legends and wrote them for white people to read.
Miss Owen collected many Indian relics. Some of her collection may be seen at the state museum in Jefferson City.
One of her legends has been written for children. It is called the" Road to Paradise". It tells about King Hill and Wyeth Hill when they were used by the tribes as sacred meeting places and burial places."
Tina Cook's retelling of the Road to Paradise follows.
5/Typewritten/Stapled/Yellowing
Lexicon
Search Terms
Road to Paradise, Sunbridge, St. Joseph History, St. Joseph Authors, Women Authors, Owen, Mary Alicia, Darby, Ada Claire, Native American, Sac, Fox