Manuscripts
The George W. Woodward correspondence consists of 47 letters between Woodward and Emma Ward from 1865 through 1867; 13 letters between Woodward and Ida C. Ladd; and 7 miscellaneous family letters. The exchanges with his two wives offer insight into the norms and rituals of mid-nineteenth century epistolary courtship. They explore the dynamics of gender relations in the wake of the social disruptions brought about by the Civil War and by the large-scale population movement into the West. Woodward's letters to Ward discuss the development of eastern Kansas, near the capital city of Topeka, referenced the Indian Wars of Kansas and 1867 Kansas suffrage referendum. In a letter dated 1867 July 7, he assured Ward, "I am happy to inform you that the Indians have not as yet taken my scalp, and that in this part of the state we do not apprehend any danger from them." On 1867 October 13, Woodward asked Ward for her opinion regarding: "the 'Impartial Suffrage Question' The question is submitted to the people at our next election and I want to know how to vote...There is a great division of feeling upon the subject, and I expect they will give it a big old discussion." In a letter dated 1867 November 17, he reported the measure was defeated by at least seven thousand votes. There are 7 letters from various Ladd, Ward, and Woodward family members written from 1867 through 1881. Also included is 1 cabinet card photograph of either Emma Ward or Ida C. Ladd, with a smaller torn photograph of Woodward on the back.
mssWoodward
