Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/298

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FISKE.
FLETCHER.
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Shelburne. Her finely balanced mind, deep and delicate sensibilities, intuitive knowledge of human nature, and her discretion, all controlled by ardent Christian love, made her a power for good. Her career is described in the title chosen by her biographer: "Faith working by Love."


ALICE C. FLETCHER. FLETCHER, Miss Alice Cunningham, ethnologist, born in Boston, Mass., in 1845. She received a thorough and liberal education. After studying the archaeological remains in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys she went, in 18S1, to live among the Omaha Indians, in Nebraska, to make an investigation of their customs and traditions, under the auspices of the Peabody Museum of American Archæology, of Harvard University. She became interested in the affairs of the Omahas and secured the passage of a law allotting lands to them. She was chosen to make the allotment in 1883 and 1884. She caused a number of the children of the Omahas to be sent to the Indian schools in Carlisle, Pa., and Hampton, Va., and she raised large sums of money to defray the expenses of the education of other ambitious Indians. Under the auspices of the Woman's National Indian Association she established a system of loaning money to Indians who wished to buy land and build homes of their own Her scientific researches have been of great value, covering Indian traditions, customs, religions, moneys, music and ceremonies, and many ethnographic and archaeological subjects. In 1884 and 1885 she sent an exhibit of the industries of civilived Indians to the New Orleans Exhibition, prepared on request by the Indian Bureau. Her abors and lectures on that occasion won her a diploma of honor. In answer to a Senate resolution of 23rd February, 1885, she prepared her valuable book, "Indian Civilization and Education" In 18S6 she was sent by the Commissioner of Education to visit Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, where she made a study of the conditions of the natives. In 1888 her reports were published in full. Acting for the government, she has allotted lands in severalty to the Winnebagoes, of Nebraska, and the Nez Perces, of Idaho. Her work in behalf of the Indians has been incessant and varied. She brought out the first Indian woman physician, Susan La Flesche, and induced other Indians to study law and other professions. Her work has been of the highest order, both scientific and philanthropic.


LISA ANNE FLETCHER. FLETCHER, Mrs. Lisa Anne, poet, born in Ashby, Mass., 27th December, 1844. Her maiden name was Stewart. When she was two years old, her father died, and when she was sixteen, her mother died. There were no other children in the family. In 1864 she became the wife of Edwin S. Fletcher, of Manchester, N. H., since which time her home has been in that city. From earliest childhood she has shown an almost equal fondness for music, painting and poetry. In 1865 she was stricken with diphtheria in its most malignant form, and since that time her life has been full of suffering, and these later years she has been an invalid. She is an example of what can be accomplished under great difficulties by firmness of spirit, force of will and a brave perseverance. All her work is done in a reclining position. She has a large correspondence, partly through the Shut-In Society. Thousands of letters have gone forth from her corner and fulfilled their mission of cheer and comfort. It is as an artist she excels. She is now painting a collection of wild flowers that grow about Manchester, and has already about one-hundred-thirty kinds. With firm health she would doubtless have made a great name for herself, especially in painting wild flowers. In June, 1888, she allowed herself for the first time to write verse in earnest Her poems have appeared in a large number of the best magazines and periodicals. Her love for birds amounts to a passion, and much that is interesting might be said of her studies of the wild birds from her window. A local secretary of the Audubon Society, she has done noble work in their behalf. A constant sufferer both physically and mentally, she yet accomplishes more work than many who are strong and well. Possessed of an intense love of beauty in every form, she deeply feels the fetters under which her spirit struggles, and longs for the freedom of larger opportunities.


FOLEY, Miss Margaret E., sculptor, born in New Hampshire, and died in Menan, in Austrian Tyrol, in 1887 Miss Foley was an entirely sell-taught artist She began her career in a small way, modeling in chalk and carving in wood. In youth she moved to Boston, Mass., where she worked hard and suffered much privation, making a bare living at first by carving portraits and ideal heads in cameo. After working seven years in Boston, she went to Rome, Italy, where she passed the rest of her professional life in the company of Harriet Hosmer, Gibson. Story, Mrs. Jameson and William and Mary Howitt In 1877 her health failed, and she accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Howitt to their home in Austrian Tyrol, where she died. Among the works she left are portrait busts of S. C. Hall, Charles Sumner and Theodore Parker, and medallions of William and Mary Howitt, Longfellow, Bryant and S. C Hall. Her artistic work includes "The Albanese," a medallion, "Cleopatra," a bust, and statues of "Excelsior," "Jeremiah" and many others.


FOLTZ, Mrs. Clara Shortridge, orator and lawyer, born in New Lisbon, Henry county, Intl., 16th July, 1849. Her father was the eloquent Christian preacher, Elias W. Shortridge. When