Masculinity, Race, and the Memory of Frederick Funston by © 2019 Jonathan P
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Imperial Entrepreneur: Masculinity, Race, and the Memory of Frederick Funston By © 2019 Jonathan P. Wells PhD., University of Kansas, 2019 M.A., University of Tulsa, 2007 B.A., University of Tulsa, 2005 Submitted to the graduate degree program in History and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Chair: Dr. Sheyda Jahanbani Dr. Robert Schwaller Dr. Sara Gregg Dr. Nicholas Syrett Dr. Laura Mielke Date Defended: 14 May 2019 ii The dissertation committee for Scholar Wells certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Imperial Entrepreneur: Masculinity, Race, and the Memory of Frederick Funston Co-Chair: Dr. Sheyda Jahanbani Co-Chair: Dr. Robert Schwaller Date Approved: 14 May 2019 iii Abstract This work examines Major General Frederick Funston’s life and subsequent memory. It seeks to answer two questions: first, how and why individuals/media makers constructed various identities of Funston during his life? Secondly, this work seeks to answer how and why individuals harnessed these identities after Funston’s death to support various causes? I argue that Frederick Funston became part of a larger narrative about imperialism, and that the conflict between imperialists and anti-imperialists formed the basis for two competing memories of Funston over the next century. Funston started his career as an explorer and used the local newspapers to gain acceptance for his chosen profession. Funston became an entrepreneur of imperialism. He promoted the idea of expansionism and with it he sold himself and his story. His early writings reflect the use of racial and gendered language to pit the “civilized” against the “savage.” Funston used the language of white civilized manhood to demonstrate his superiority over “other” non-white groups. During the Spanish-American War, Funston served in the Kansas 20th and later in the regular army. Imperialists and anti-imperialists used similar language to build support for their respective causes. They used Funston as a symbol for the larger debate over imperialism and cast him as either the melodramatic hero or villain. The way media makers wrote about Funston during his life, reflects the memory of Funston throughout the twentieth century. As long as white martial manhood was hegemonic, the memory of Funston the hero remained dominant. In the 1960s and 1970s the hegemony of white manhood faltered as other groups, like African Americans, Hispanics, homosexuals, feminists, all contested what it meant to be a “real American.” The contest over Funston’s memory continues today in places like Chicago, San Francisco, and Iola. iv Acknowledgments First and foremost, I must thank my brother Sean Wells. Between undergraduate, masters, and this doctoral process he has read countless papers, offered advice, and given his criticism. He has been a sounding board and a stalwart in helping me throughout life. Alongside Sean, Dr. Sheyda Jahanbani has talked me off of countless grad school cliffs. Without her steadfast dedication and belief in me, I can honestly say I would have never completed this project. Dr. Jahanbani embodies the values of the University of Kansas. I cannot praise her enough. Mom, this is your line, and no words will do justice to your support and encouragement. To all of you, your words, deeds, and patience will never be forgotten. To Allen Community College, your nurturing environment reflects not only in your attitude toward students, faculty, staff, and administration. As a faculty member, I must thank President John Masterson, Vice President of Academic Affairs John Marshal, Dean of the Iola Campus Tosca Harris, and the entire Board of Trustees. Your support has been crucial. You have shown that our mission statement is not merely words but is truly why we exist. Erik Griffith, Tracy Lee, Dr. Susie McKinnis, and the rest of the “A-Complex,” thank you for putting up with me over the last years. Countless librarians have helped in this project. If you are a student reading this today, go thank your librarian. They are truly the heroes in all our projects. Sandy Moore can conjure up 100-year-old works and get them through ILL in days. Regardless of the request, she remained a friend, someone to whom I could always say “hey I have this quote from this work, but it doesn’t seem to exist” and she would find it. I would also like to thank Virginia Shaffer for her support in the process and congratulate her on becoming an ILL wizard. v To the University of Tulsa, Without Dr. Andrew Wood and Dr. Christine Ruane this journey would have never occurred. Your institution provided the foundation of my academic life; film, history, law, religion, and political science melded seamlessly. I would like to thank Jordan Tetsworth, who as an undergraduate traveled with me to numerous conferences and remained a life-long friend, read countless papers, and always reminded me to mind my manners. Dr. Schwaller and Dr. Gregg you shaped so many of my conversations and academic decisions. Drs. Syrette, and Mielke, I cannot thank you enough. To the entire committee let this be my final apology. I learned a valuable lesson about communication and know how much each and every one of you did. To future graduate students, please email a confirmation of your defense times to all your committee members. These members went above and beyond to make up for my mistakes. Thank you. To Clyde Toland, Donna Houser, Kurtis Russell, and the Allen County Historical Society, your tireless efforts to preserve local history is truly inspiring. You have given countless historians the resources they need to tell the story of Iola, Kansas, and America. Susan Lynn and the Iola Register congratulations on over a century of local ownership. I am sure Charles F. would be proud of his paper and family name a century later. To Rick Danley, former Register staff, you were a last-minute savior (apologies you did not get to read the acknowledgements). To my abuela Josephine and grandma Pearl thank you. Alongside my abuelo, Tomas Gutierrez, and my grandfather, Patrick Wells, you will be missed in this world. You are the reason this work exists, a melding of academics and pride in my Cuban heritage. vi Lastly, to David Nelson and the rest of the fallen first responders and military, your service will never be forgotten. This is a pointed break…. If you’re still reading this for some reason, you’re either family or some grad student looking for sources. I’m going to take this moment to thank some awesome dogs. Of course, Princess Holly, Baroness of Barkington Manor, and Lord Cooper, First Earl of the Wiggle Bottoms they are the heir to my academic fortune. Winston, Nellie, Special, Osa, Sierra, Lucky, and Izzy, keep wagging your tails. Alongside them, I’d like to thank, Shadow, Pudge, Happy, Jeffery, Ellie, Soldier, Dupree, Reina, Iceman, George, and Albert; like all dogs, they were good dogs. vii Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................2 Arguments ..............................................................................................................................4 Who is Frederick Funston? ......................................................................................................6 Topics: Manhood .................................................................................................................. 13 Topics: Race ......................................................................................................................... 16 Topics: Memory .................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter outline ...................................................................................................................... 20 Chapter 1: Funston the Explorer ............................................................................................... 23 The Funston Family and Allen County .................................................................................. 24 Victorian America: Literature, Manhood, and the Commodity Culture .................................. 32 Funston the Explorer: Career, Identity, and Victorian Angst .................................................. 47 Manhood and Exploration: Storm Bound above the Clouds ................................................... 54 “Natives,” Race, and Authenticity: Funston in the Territories ................................................ 60 Funston and Friends: Fame and Publications ......................................................................... 68 Politics and the Lecture Circuit ............................................................................................. 70 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 73 Chapter 2: Funston the Adventurer, the Hero, and the Villain .................................................... 76 The War in Cuba ................................................................................................................... 76 Funston the Filibustero ........................................................................................................