At the end of her life, Sallie Reynolds Matthews transcribed her memories of life on the Texas frontier. She only ever intended for these stories to be passed down to her children, but over time they would become a published, invaluable primary source used by decades of historians.
The book, Interwoven: A Pioneer Chronicle, has seen four editions since its debut in 1936. As Robert Nail wrote in his introduction to the 1958 edition, “When you read her account of the day her family moved into a mysterious, abandoned ranch house on the very edge of the unconquered prairie and see, as her small girl eyes saw, the broken window glass littering the floor, the fang marks left by a wild animal on the door, you sense quite keenly what it must have been like . . . “
As a Texas history educator for the Old Jail Art Center, Interwoven has been an invaluable resource in the development of curriculum and programs that educate on frontier-life. Recently, while researching and planning a Summer Camp for Grades K-6, I used Sallie’s book as the lens for our exploration and activities. We learned about the process of loading your household into a covered wagon, the food games and music enjoyed on a frontier fort, what it was like to attend a one-room school building, and the experience of a diverse community including immigrant pioneers and the Tonkawa.
I honestly find it amazing that Sallie enabled me to recreate experiences of her childhood for the children of her community over 150 years later.
This book is a perfect example of the benefit and importance of documentation. As a historian, I recommend you not only purchase and enjoy a copy of Sallie’s stories, but consider recording those of your own for future generations.
Jewellee Kuenstler, THCP Coordinator
