Menard County Texas

Martha Wenonah Learn - AKA Princess Wenonah

(Picture Source: Menard Museum)

The Menard News
Vol. VII, No. 48
Thursday, September 30, 1943

(page 8)

WENONAH
The death of Martha Wenonah Learn, better known to all of those who live in the section as just "Wenonah", which occurred shortly after six o'clock Tuesday afternoon, marked the end of one of the most interesting and colorful lives that this section of the country has ever known.
Wenonah was born July 4, 1868 in San Antonio, Texas, where the Smith-Young Tower now stands. That spot then was the home of her German father and her Indian mother. Her father, who spoke eight different languages, came to America in 1836 as a hunter, trapper and trader. He ran away with with Indian Princess Wenonah, and married her. To this union was born 13 children of which our present-day Wenonah was the youngest. Her Indian grandfather was claimed to have been the Chief in the fight against Bowie in Menard County in 1835.
Wenonah was an unusual person in many ways. She posessed a keen, intellectual mind, a positive determination to accomplish that which she started out to do. Her great vitality, hard work and strength of personality won for her a most successful career with the Orpheum Vaudeville Circuit during her younger days. She was also billed for long successful runs by the best Theaters in New York City with her "Indian Girl Snake Dance.: During this period she was bitten at every performance by the poinsonous reptiles that she played with like toys, and astounded physicians everywhere she showed by her immunity to the deadly poison. She also worked in films, one of which was called "Good Little Indian," and William Powell also played in this film.
She came to Menard in 1930 where she has been associated with Judge Norton in his hunt for the lost Bowie Mine up until the last few months. This part of Wenonah's life is better known by most all those who live in and around Menarad.
The death of Wenonah came after a long suffering with an incurable illness. During the last five months she has been patiently nursed and cared for by Mrs. King who showed her every kindness, tenderness and self sacrificing loyalty that any human being could possibly show. Dr. Leggett and Miss Corbell administered every medical care possible. Many people in and around Menard aided in many ways. Wenonah was a good patinet and held her everlasting spirit and determination to live and do until the last.
She leaves no known living relatives, but many friends and admirers witnessed her funeral services conducted by Rev. Leon Brown of the First Methodist Church of Menard. Pall-bearers were Bill Ellis, Ernest Wilkinson, Wilton Glimp, Fred Ellis, Charlie Speck and Albert Garner. Interment was made in the New Cemetery.

Wenonah Story by Ross McSwain of "Out Yonder"

The Free State of Menard, by N. H. Pierce-Pg. 43, Chief's Grand-Daughter Searched

This article states that Wenonah became a partner to Judge J. R. Norton in developing a mine shaft in the search for silver bullion. She said she had stories handed down by the Indians about the Lost Bowie Mine...while Judge Norton got his information from early-day Spanish records in Mexico and old Spain.

Wenonah had a cabin on the hillside and Judge Norton's was by the creek. They had a "commissary" building to cook and eat in and they reportedly had two small houses reserved for "guests".

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Saturday, March 22, 2008 11:00 AM