Peg Leg Annie
Through story and song, folk singer Tracy Morrison shares the stories of the women in Idaho’s history.
Morrison, who lives in Boise, became interested in these women’s stories through her father, a wilderness packer in southern Idaho. As a child, she spent time near the Idaho mining camp of Atlanta, where Annie McIntyre Morrow, also known as “Peg Leg Annie,” ran various business ventures during the late 1800s.
Her story stuck with Morrison, who later wrote about her in one of her songs. She also wrote a song about Sacajawea (see below) that focuses on her reunion with her brother after spending more than five years in captivity.
“We often celebrate her guidance for the Corp of Discovery expedition, but her life story is often lost, and it’s the story that touches me the most,” Morrison said.
Other women Morrison sings about include Mormon pioneer, mother and missionary Elizabeth Angelina Tuttle Clark, horsebreeder Kittie Wilkins, former slave Polly Bemis and American Indian writer Sarah Winnemucca.
“They’re all different stories,” Morrison said. “Their lives were just incredible, and they overcame a lot of hardship.”
Morrison isn’t a historian — she’s a singer-songwriter who tells stories. Each character she sings about is a real person, even if not every detail is historically based. It gets people talking, she said, and she often learns new things from her audiences.
“I love these women. They’ve inspired me, so I like to share their stories.”
She has chosen to tell the stories of women largely because they’re often untold. People are familiar with the stories of women who have made significant contributions, Morrison said, but women who serve as the backbone of society are not always celebrated.
“People are people, and we should value each other for who we are as part of this community,” Morrison said.
Morrison’s presentation tonight in Cottonwood is part of the 19th annual Historical Museum at St. Gertrude Fall Lecture Series. It was made possible through a partnership with the Idaho Humanities Council. Her music is available at tracymorrison.org.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Idaho women stories and folk songs by Tracy Morrison
WHEN: 7 tonight
WHERE: Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood
COST: Free
Sacajawea
By Tracy Morrison
Agaidika women and children
Were camped along, the riverbed
Attacked by Hidatsa at sunset
By morning, they were dead
They kidnapped, some of their young girls
Headed east, 800 miles
Among them no older than 12 years
Was a girl the Burden child
Saca tzah wee ya
Saca tzah wee ya
She learned the life of a farmer
but remained, a Hidatsa slave
One day came along, a French trapper
Who obtained, her as a trade
She bore him a child at Fort Mandan
Then hired on, as a guide
The corp of Discovery went searching
For a path, to the Oceanside
Saca tzah wee ya
Saca tzah wee ya
They came upon the Shoshone
Before they reached, the rocky range
She went to interpret their language
And recognized, her brother’s face
He reached for her hand and he held on
As he looked, into her eyes
Dear sister you’ve been gone for so long
My heart is filled, with delight
Saca tzah wee ya
Saca tzah wee ya
Saca tzah wee ya
Saca tzah wee ya
