The South Pasadena Public Library, The Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, and the Living History Centre, are proud to present a free one-act play for all ages. “Jim Beckwourth” stars Michael Broughton and was written by Mark Weston. The one-man play will be presented in the Library Community Room on October 15 at 7:00 p.m. at 1115 El Centro Street (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). No tickets or reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends.
An explorer and adventurer who played a major role in the early exploration and settlement of the West, James Pierson Beckwourth was born a slave in Virginia in 1798. He bears the distinction of being the only African American of his time to record his life story. And what an amazing life he led. The autobiography he dictated to Thomas Bonner, a Justice of the Peace in California, The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, Scout and Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians was published in 1856. In a time when books were relatively uncommon, Beckwourth’s story was so popular that it enjoyed two American editions and was also released in England and France. Although some accused the book of gross exaggeration, many of the historical facts, such as those about pioneers, Indians, gold miners, fur trappers, and the Mexican-American War have been corroborated by historians. Nevertheless, it now seems truly remarkable that one man could have been so involved with so many of the major events of his day, especially since they occurred in areas stretching all the way from Florida to California.
Beckwourth’s mother was an African American slave and his father was Englishman who raised him as his own son. As a young man, Jim was an apprentice in a blacksmith shop and at age 17 he traveled west with an expedition to the Rocky Mountains, becoming a mountain man in the process. He was adopted into the Crow (Abrasoke) Indian Tribe and lived with them for 6 years. By his own account, he was named Chief of the Crow Nation until he left for the California Gold Rush. In 1850 he discovered Beckwourth Pass, which was an important breakthrough because it was the lowest mountain pass through the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lower elevation pass enabled those making the grueling trek to California in search of gold to avoid the treacherous Donner Pass altogether.
Beckwourth Pass was the best wagon road into the California Valley by far and saved countless lives. The Gold Rush boom town of Marysville agreed to pay Beckwourth for discovering the pass, but was never able to live up to its promise. Today, a park in Marysville bears Beckwourth’s name and a town in Northern California is named after him as well. The United States Postal Service issued his commemorative stamp in 1994 as part of its series on African American History. Others depicted in the series include Louis Armstrong, George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, and Ethel Waters.
During the last 10 years, Michael Broughton has performed “Jim Beckwourth” more than 100 times around the country. In it he portrays 14 different characters. His virtuoso performance once earned him the prestigious AUDELCO Award in New York City for Best Solo Performance. In earning the accolade, Michael Broughton was selected over the legendary Ruby Dee. |
