W. Russell Blanksenship was born about 1890 in Missouri. In 1910 he and his family were living in Walla Walla, WA where he was a professor. He and the family moved to Seattle, WA where he was an English professor by 1930. In 1942, he wrote a history of the Pacific Northwest called "And there were men." He dedicated the book to Nancy, his daughter, who became the chief librarian of the Washington/Northwest Room at the Washington State Library. This collection contains two letters that were written to Mr. Blankenship after the publication of his book. W. W. Reed wrote to Mr. Blankenship on Oct. 12, 1942 stating how much he enjoyed the book. Mr. Reed went on to relate his experiences as one of the early settlers of the Big Bend Country. He describes the hard winters he experienced in Big Bend Country. Ms. Grace Christianson Gardner wrote to Mr. Blankenship on Nov. 8, 1944. Her letter was very similar to Mr. Reed's. She told him that she enjoyed his book. However, she wished that he would have collected his information about the Native Americans from their perspective. Mrs. Gardner describes her relationships, remembrances and experiences with the Native Americans. She especially mentions her remembrances of Chief Moses.
From the description of Letters to Russell Blankenship, 1942-1944. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 196966514
