MOUNT VERNON — Olive Oatman was a 14-year-old girl whose family was killed in 1851 in present-day Arizona by Native Americans, who captured and enslaved Olive and her sister. A year later Mojave Indians adopted the two girls. The Mojave marked both Oatman girls on their chins with indelible blue cactus tattoos in keeping with tribal custom. According to Mojave tradition, such marks were given only to their own people to ensure that they would have a good afterlife. After four years with the Mojave, during which time her sister died of starvation, Oatman returned to white society. In 1858 Olive went on the lecture circuit. These appearances were among the few occasions on which she appeared in public without wearing a veil to cover her tattooed face.
Thursday at 7 p.m., Elixir Presents Julia Geiger as Olive Oatman at the Grand Hotel located at 12 Public Square in downtown Mount Vernon. The program is part of the Chautauqua Series, now in its 13th season, bringing living history to Knox County on a donation basis.
Geiger is a gifted story teller, history scholar and teacher. She is making her fourth appearance on the Chautauqua stage, having portrayed Roseanna McCoy, Sacagawea and Mary Jemison and now Olive Oatman; all strong women and all with amazing life stories.
Opening the program is a return appearance by Christina of the Colonies, bringing her own brand of music from our ancestors.
For more information about this program and upcoming presentations, visit www.elixirpresents.com or call 740-392-3018.
