Journal reveals inner thoughts of an adventurous pioneer

Recently the Fanny Hazlett journal came to the museum. Didn't even know there was one but, lo and behold, there it was. It's a very fragile document, crumbling around the edges and in need of a safe place to rest. We hope the Dayton Museum is the best place. I didn't want too much handling of the journal, so I had it reproduced so we didn't have to put our grubby hands on it.

Well, I mentioned to one of our members that it would be nice to have a typewritten copy. Vivian Smith took the reproduction and figured out the writing and punctuation and made a fine copy of the document. She was careful to use all the same written words that Fanny had put to the pages.

Francis "Fanny" Gore Hazlett came to Dayton in 1862 and over the years wrote the history of Dayton. She carefully recorded all the people and events in the Dayton area. She was a prolific writer and wrote many articles that reflected her feelings of the times. She worked with the women of Nevada to get the right for women to vote in Nevada two years before it became an amendment to the Constitution. She was by all accounts not afraid to take on any cause she believed in, and criticized those she found repugnant.

I think I'd be safe in saying that she didn't care a whip about fashion. I say that not only from the photos I've seen but by her own admission. She just couldn't be bothered because there were so many other pursuits she would rather be interested in doing. In most of the photos I've seen of Fanny, you could see the mischief in her attitude. The photo of her about to take her first aero plane ride at age 84, certainly expresses her adventuresome attitude. You can see this for yourself in her book we have here at the museum.

Fanny was married to Dr. J. C. Hazlett and they had a daughter named Gertrude. Fanny was well aware of the women's place in the development of the west. Of the women she said, "As human nature is very general, we were not all saints, but averaged up on the right side. We were as good as the best and a great deal better than the worst."

This week the Historical Society of Dayton Valley "unveiled" our new updated "Walking Tour" brochure. You are welcome to come to the museum, pick up a free copy and find Fanny and Dr. Hazlett's home in Dayton for yourself.

The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton. Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. The Web site is daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-8382 or 246-0441. The Historical Society of Dayton Valley meets every third Wednesday of the month at noon. Please call for location. Visitors are welcome.

- Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton historical society and a docent at the museum.