CAROLYN THOMAS FOREMAN
By J. Stanley Clark*
Martin W. Wiesendanger, in a bibliography of the Foreman
published in 1948, wrote, "Carolyn Thomas Foreman's books
and articles, together with Grant Foreman's works, present an
inseparable whole; one can not be evaluated except in terms of
the other. This unity has made possible the unmistakably great
contribution to the sum total of knowledge." They worked as a
team to collate evidence of Oklahoma's rich heritage and to
record their findings.
Dr. Foreman proclaimed this teamwork, their mutual in-
terest in dedicated research. His first book, Pioneer Days in the
Southwest, published in 1926, is dedicated '"To Carolyn." A book
published twenty years later, The Last Trek of the Indian,
bears the dedication "To Carolyn." He spells out her share in
their partnership in the preface to Indians and Pioneers, pub-
lished in 1930, when he wrote these gracious words:
"More than all. I am indebted to the patient, unremitting, and in-
telligent assistance of my wife1 Carolyn Thomas Foreman, who has shared
with me the search into all the archives and libraries explored whether
fruitful or not, and who hex labored long hours in making notes and ex-
tract, from the manuscripts used. And it was she who translated Into
English all the French accounts In books. newspapers, journals and manu-
scripts that have been drawn upon In writing this book."
Carolyn was born in Metropolis, Illinois, October 18, 1872,
the daughter of John R. Thomas, an attorney, and Lottie Culver
(Thomas). She was the eldest of three children, one of whom
died in early childhood. Her formal education was completed
in private schools in Washington, D. C. and at Monticello Semi-
nary, Godfrey, Illinois, supplemented by a year in Europe with
tutors. Carolyn's first published article, written under the
* Dr. J. Stanley Clark was the author of the article on Dr. Brant
Foreman, published in The Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. X XXI. pp. 220.242
(109). Dr. Clark gratefully acknowledges the generous assistance in the
preparation of this article on Carolyn Thomas Foreman. extended by Mrs.
Rella Looney of the Oklahoma Historical Society staff ; Mrs. Nettie Wheeler
and Mrs. Frances Rosser Brown. Muskogee; and Mrs. Hughberta Neergard,
Crozet. Virginia. niece of Mrs. Foreman.
A most perceptive article on the Foremans, written by Mrs. J. O.
MItsch, Tulsa. Oklahoma was Inserted In the Congressional Record Issue
of July 20, 1901, by the Honorable Carl Alber. 'The article also appears
In the Congressional Record of March 1. 1907. with appropriate remarks
by Congressman Albert. A moving tribute on Aire. Foreman's accomplish-
ments was written by Bob Martidale, The Phoenix News Flltor, as page 1
feature. The Muskogee Sunday Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February
10, 1007.