In 1893, Harper and Brothers published Lew Wallace’s third novel, The Prince of India; or, Why Constantinople Fell. They paid Lew a $100,000 advance for the novel; he apparently decided it was time to invest in real estate. As a result, he and his son Henry began planning a luxury […]
Lew Wallace
75 posts
President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Lew Wallace as Governor of New Mexico Territory in September 1878. He arrived in Santa Fe on September 30. Susan and their 25-year-old son Henry arrived in New Mexico in early February 1879. Rail Travel to New Mexico Susan later wrote about her trip to […]
We often see comments online about Lew Wallace betraying William Bonney–Billy the Kid. The situation really wasn’t as clear-cut as that. Corrupt officials and the Lincoln County War complicated Lew’s relationship with Billy. In September 1878, President Hayes appointed Lew Wallace Governor of New Mexico Territory. Lew spent four days […]
Lew Wallace spent the Christmas holidays in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1876. He wasn’t there to enjoy the sunshine and orange groves—rather, he was there as a “visiting statesman” for the Republican Party in the fallout of one of the most contested Presidential elections in history. It was, in fact, even […]
In 1907, an interview with General Lew Wallace was published giving some insight into his habits and personal beliefs. The brief interview had taken place a few years earlier when Wallace was on the lecture circuit. Here are some interesting excerpts: He has himself described his daily habits: ‘I begin to write […]
We had a fun little research project today and learned something new about Lew. I wanted to share it with all of you so you get a glimpse behind the scenes at how we are still learning stuff about Lew’s history. One of our members kindly brought a picture for us to […]
Susan Elston Wallace was one of the nine children born to Isaac & Maria Elston. One of her sisters was Helen Elston Blair, who built the Gothic Revival home at the corner of Wallace and Wabash in Crawfordsville. Helen had a niece named Rose Blair Marsh. Rose came to know […]
In 1864, Maryland had a series of important elections, resulting in emancipation of Maryland’s slaves. Lew Wallace was instrumental in making sure the elections went smoothly without interference. Over the course of the war, Lew had become an abolitionist. In an 1862 speech Lew gave in Evansville, he said, “this […]
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Lew’s death in 1905. Lew died at his home in Crawfordsville on February 15. Wallace Scholar Chandler Lighty at the Indiana Historic Newspaper Digitization Project has a great blog post about Lew Wallace’s obituary. The post collects several of Lew’s obituaries from across the country. […]
On May 30, 1881, Lew Wallace boarded a rail car on the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe to leave New Mexico Territory. Lew had calmed the Territory during his term in office from 1878 through 1881, and his tenure in office was considered successful. He accomplished much in addressing […]