"Skid Road" was a big success for a regional book. Reviewers around the country praised the energy and humor Murray brought to the history of an obscure (to most of them) western city. Some Seattleites had reservations, among them Charles Gates, then 15 years into his lifetime tenure in the UW history department. Asked to look over the manuscript, he suggested Murray leave discussion of "serious cultural themes" to the grownups.
Ten years later, Gates included "Skid Road" in his syllabus, but with a caveat that Murray should have included assurances that his work was actually based on fact. Murray was not much given to academic feuds, so this testy response was his version of a duel at dawn.
Mary Brainerd Wahoske was the daughter of Seattle journalist and publicist Erastus Brainerd. Although her father was featured in Skid Road, she was annoyed that not enough other "decent people" made the cut.
Wednesday, March 12, 1952
My dear Mr. Morgan,
 |
| Alexander Pantages's daughter Carmen, 2nd from left, was unacceptable. |
We have just finished reading Skid Road and I am quite
disappointed. You bring the book up to date and I kept waiting for you to tell
about the inhabitants that did not live in the red light district which you so
vividly describe. They were many more gentle people, well born and well
educated who came to Seattle for its climatic advantages and also for its
industrial offerings.
We had a real social life and would not stand for Carmen
Pantages, though Dr. Matheson tried to force the decent people to accept her.
I do not know to whom you talked but there are still many,
many people that still talk about my family and admired them for their
brilliancy and decency. I am crippled with arthritis and unable to travel but
if you want to write any more Northwest articles, everyone tells me that I have
a memory like the elephant and I know I could tell you many interesting
stories.
...
With best wishes for your future success,
Sincerely yours,
Mary Beale Brainerd Wahoske
No comments:
Post a Comment