Sheba Hargreaves emerged as a notable figure in the Oregon literary community during the late 1920s, primarily through three historical novels published between 1928 and 1930. Despite writing only these three novels, she gained a significant national reputation. Born in 1882 in The Dalles, Oregon, Hargreaves was an educator and began her writing career with essays before transitioning to fiction. Her first novel, 'The Cabin at the Trail's End,' diverged from standard narratives by portraying life after the Oregon Trail, focusing on the Bainbridge family and their experiences in Oregon City, complemented by rich characterizations of pioneers and Native Americans.
Hargreaves fills her pages with enhancing characters. First are the Bainbridges, John and Martha - with extensive sections on Martha - and their four children in the Oregon City area. Next, Martha's Uncle Adzi, a never-stop pioneer.
Think of what these newcomers had to face after a few weeks in Oregon, and here they are in this novel, revealingly done.
Hargreaves began writing in the 1920s. At first, she submitted essays to newspapers and popular magazines. Among her essays were writings on frontier pioneers, parenting, and occultism.
Unlike most fiction about the early Oregon Trail era, the novel dealt with life in Oregon at the end of the trail in late 1843.
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