"Pages From the Book of Eve"
On October 1, 1946, the first printing of Ora Pate Stewart’s long-awaited book, “Pages From the Book of Eve” was published by The Naylor Company, based in San Antonio, Texas. Although the book is subtitled as "The Fictional Autobiography of Eve Collier," the book is actually an autobiographical fiction recounting Ora’s own experiences as a young Latter-day Saint girl growing up with her family on a large ranch in Sage, Wyoming.
The stories are told from the perspective of the titular character, Eve Collier, affectionately called “Eva” by others throughout the book, who is none other than Ora Pate herself. This story about the “Collier” family is the true story of the family of Ezra Greenwood Pate and Ada Rosella Sharp Pate, as told by their daughter Ora.
She dedicated the book “To my Father and Mother.”
As early as 1943, Ora’s book manuscript under the title of “The Lives of Eve” was reviewed before around 15,000 people across the country prior to publication.[1] The audiences ranged from Army officer's wives clubs to church groups. By 1945 the manuscript title was finalized to "Page From the Book of Eve." It took her two years to find a publisher, finally publishing with The Naylor Company in San Antonio, Texas, in 1946.
The foreword was written by Ora’s close friend, Dr. John A. Widtsoe, a renowned scientist who was also a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at that time. He writes, knowing that the fictional name of "Eve Collier" was none other than young Ora herself:
Little Eve is charming. In straightforward, simple English she tells of life just as it happened to her in the pioneer days of the west. Some of the episodes cause laughter; others compel tears to flow. That is always the way of real life.
She also paints a picture of man’s toil for the necessities of life. This is a good tonic in our days, when the love of labor is becoming flabby, and selfishness walks under the cloak of honor. Little Eve does not know that she is preaching a big economic lesson to her readers. And, some of her readers may not realize it.
Then, when some of us would be engulfed by emotional upheavals when disaster overtakes us, Little Eve walks straight on, hopefully facing the enemy with clenched teeth. That is also a lesson to be learned by all who want happiness in life.
However, to enjoy to the full a few hours of leisure, forget all lessons and teachings, lean back, with Eve’s book in hand, in an easy chair, or maybe on the grass under the maple tree. Let Eve tell you her story. Laugh with her; cry with her; plan with her – and life will look better to you, and people will look lovelier to you, and you will feel refreshed, as if on a warm day you have had a refreshing drink.
"Pages From the Book of Eve" is a unique but captivating story.
One article summarizes the book:
The book is an autobiography told in the first person without the use of the word “I.” It relates with humor and pathos the progress of the author from a rustic life on the Wyoming frontier through to a hostess in high military circles and the planning of a military wedding for a Boston debutante. One chapter relating an incident that happened in East Midvale when the author was a sophomore at Jordan high school, refers to our little metropolis as ‘the town part of our suburb.’”[2]
Another summary states:
The story of her mother’s ten children, growing up on a Wyoming ranch, the one-room school, the bath barrel. Wholesome and humorous.
During the pre-publication of this book, Jordan High School in Utah, her alma mater, hosted her as a guest speaker to share some excerpts from her book. [3]
With the publication of her book, Ora embarked with her mother on a one month speaking tour through Utah, Wyoming, San Francisco, Fresno, and Los Angeles in California, and then on to Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona.[4]
The book was a critically acclaimed best seller, with Naylor’s “Epic Century Magazine” stating in July 1946:
We are really amazed at the pre-publication interest in Ora Pate Stewart’s "Pages From the Book of Eve." We mailed a small folder announcing the forthcoming publication of this book and the pre-publication orders resulting from this announcement have exceeded anything we have ever done – which is a record! Book dealers throughout the country are planning many autograph parties for the author. [6]
Charles R. Mabey, the author of The Pony Express and former Governor of Utah wrote of this book:
If there is a better picture of ranch
life and the doings of common folk on the farm and the range, I haven’t seen or
heard of it.
Leo J. Muir, an educator, author and critic who Ora
became acquainted with in Ohio from
1939-1943, wrote of this book:
One finds here the poignancy of
Dickens and Goldsmith, the cleverness of Mark Twain, the surprise of O. Henry.
One of Ora’s high school teachers, Gretchen Horst, who at this
time was an English instructor at the University of Utah wrote:
The style, with its tender charm and
quaint humor, is as refreshingly original as is the family presented within the
covers of this book.
In a review of this book, the Journal
Herald of Dayton, Ohio states:
She has captured, with rare deftness, the joys and fears and dreams of a large family who had little but a dream to go on. [7]
Regarding her book “Pages From the Book of Eve,” another article noted:
Not merely nostalgic reminiscences, the volume is of universal appeal. [8]
An article states:
In Pages From the Book of Eve,” … Mrs. Stewart exhibits her ability as an artist as well as a writer. The story is that of her own life on families large ranch in Wyoming. The book contains 36 episodes, each of which is an interesting and complete story. [9]
A flyer advertisement for "Pages From the Book of Eve."
Although this was her fourth published book, one article notes:
A well-known author, her first book to make the national lists was “Pages from the Book of Eve,” which portrayed her childhood. [10]
Ora was invited to speak with many groups, including to a sorority at Southern Methodist University, but was unable to accept this invitation due to speaking engagements in other states:
That the book, 'Pages From the Book of Eve,' written by Mrs. Ora Pate Stewart, of East Midvale, has been selected to represent the novel in program, 'Women at Work,' the course of study for the coming year for Phi Beta, a literary sorority, was learned this week by letter, from Dallas Texas.
Mrs. Stewart has been chosen to represent [as] the novelist and has been invited to address the Phi Beta group at Southern Methodist University in October. [11]
By the end of October, Ora returned from her western lecture tour:
“Mrs. Ora Pate Stewart, author of ‘Pages From the Book of Eve,’ and her mother, Mrs. E.G. Pate, have returned from a trip to the west coast and Arizona, where Mrs. Stewart reviewed her book before groups at colleges, churches and clubs.” [12]
Upon her return from her lecture tour, from November 7-9, 1946, Zion’s Co-operative
Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) hosted an autograph party for Ora Pate Stewart’s
newly published book “Pages From the Book of Eve.” A newspaper article states:
Mr & Mrs. E. G. Pate will be the guests of the book department at ZCMI Saturday morning, the occasion being one session of the 3-day autographing party for book, ‘Pages From the Book of Eve,’ of which their daughter, Ora Pate Stewart, is the author. The book is dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Pate. [13]
Following this publication, Ora was inducted into the Mark Twain Society on December 26, 1946:
Ora Pate Stewart, author of
“Pages from the Book of Eve,” who reviewed her book in San Luis Obispo several
weeks ago, has been awarded with an honorary membership; with the International
Mark Twain Society for her outstanding contribution to literature, according to
word received here.
Her book, which is reminiscence
of pioneer days in Wyoming, was released Nov. 7, and is now in its second
edition.
She is the wife of Col. Robert
W. Stewart, with the Air Corps at Lambert Field, St. Louis, Mo. He is a brother
of Mrs. Theresa Rigdon of 1154 Leff street, in San Luis Obispo.
According to Cyril Clemens, who
notified Mrs. Stewart of the choice, “The honorary membership is not available
to the general public. Unlike regular membership which is open to all, honorary
membership is conferred only upon those who have distinguished themselves in
some field of human endeavor. Thus when it is the reward for literature, it is
conferred in recognition of the outstanding literary merit of the author’s
published work. With the exception of the Mark Twain medal, it represents the
highest honor in the power of the society to confer upon an individual.” [14]
Key to the People and Places in “Pages From the Book of
Eve”:
The Collier Family:
- Jake (Papa) = Ezra Greenwood Pate (1876-1961)
- Julie (Mamma) = Ada Rosella Sharp Pate (1876-1957)
- David = Joseph Leon Pate (1899-1976)
- Molly = Ada Rosella Pate (1902-1977)
- Prue = Vernal Ruth Pate (1906-1978)
- Johnny = John Jackson Pate (1908-1937)
- Eve (“Eva”) = Ora Fern Pate (1910-1990) – the author
- Rachel = Ruby Pearl Pate (1912-1977)
- Elizabeth = Mary Elizabeth Pate (1914-1989)
- Alice = Irene Pate (1916-1995)
- Allen = Alma Jacob Pate (1919-1993)
- Judy = Evelyn June Pate (1921-2000)
- Aunt Katherine = Mary Easter Sharp (1861-1935)
- Cousin Lorraine = Mary Ethel Young (1893-1956)
Other People:
- Miss Brinkerhoff: Miss Balderson (1st grade teacher in Sage, Wyoming)
- Mrs. Williston: Mrs. Rachel Gray Pickett (5th grade teacher in Randolph, UT).
- Mr. Cameron = Malcolm McKinnon (6th grade teacher in Randolph, UT)
- Gladys McCurtain = Gladys Huckvale (7th grade teacher in Sage, Wyoming)
Places:
- Salt Brush = Sage, Wyoming
- Gopher Hole = unknown
- Indian Gulch = unknown
- Meadowville = Meadowville, UT
- Homestead = unknown
- Shelby = Randolph, Utah
[1] “New Book By Utahn Now on the Press.” Springville Herald. January 31, 1946.
[2] “Society and Clubs: ‘Lives of Eve’ Read at Saturday Party.” Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 5. Friday, August 6, 1943.
[3] “Ora Pate Stewart to Entertain Jordan Students.” Sandy. By Mrs. J. T. Ostler. Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 4. September 20, 1946.
[4] “Visits Are Still in Fall Limelight.” Salt Lake Telegram. September 25, 1946.
[5] Ad. Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 3. January 10, 1947.
[6] Ad. Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 3. November 1, 1946.
[7] “Prominent Authors to Appear at South Los Angeles Fireside.” California Intermountain News. Volume XII, Number 17. Tuesday, April 12, 1950. BYU Special Collections.
[8] “She’s a Mother of Five and Author of Seven.” The Salt Lake Tribune, page 4M.
[10] “Colonel and Mrs. Robert Stewart Will Observe Golden Wedding Anniversary at Reception.” Rock Springs (Wyo.) Daily Rocket-Miner, p. 3A. BYU Special Collections.
[11] “Local Author’s Book to be Used for Study.” Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 1. September 6, 1946.
[12] “Midvale” by Jeanne Davis. Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 5. November 1, 1946.
[13] “Midvale.” By Jeanne Davis. Midvale Journal Sentinel. Page 5. November 8, 1946.
