Kidnapped Censorship in Honduras: The Persecution of Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore

Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore was an American writer and photographer who was kidnapped in Honduras in 1894. Her kidnapping and subsequent release sparked a national debate about the state of censorship in Honduras and the treatment of foreign nationals in the country.

Kidnapped: Censorship in Honduras

by Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages

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Scidmore's Background

Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore was born in Washington, D.C., in 1856. She was a gifted writer and photographer, and she began her career as a journalist for the New York Tribune. In 1887, she published her first book, "Alaska: Its Southern Coast and the Sitkan Archipelago." The book was a critical and commercial success, and it established Scidmore as a leading authority on Alaska.

In 1893, Scidmore decided to travel to Honduras to write about the country's natural resources and its people. She arrived in Honduras in January 1894, and she quickly began to gather material for her book.

The Kidnapping

On February 20, 1894, Scidmore was kidnapped by a group of armed men while she was traveling in the countryside. The kidnappers took her to a remote village, where they held her for ransom.

Scidmore's kidnapping caused a national uproar in the United States. The U.S. government demanded that Honduras release Scidmore immediately, and the Honduran government eventually agreed to do so.

Scidmore was released on March 1, 1894. She returned to the United States a hero, and she was greeted by a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

The Aftermath of the Kidnapping

Scidmore's kidnapping had a profound impact on her life. She became an outspoken critic of the Honduran government, and she used her platform to advocate for the rights of foreign nationals in the country.

Scidmore's kidnapping also sparked a national debate about the state of censorship in Honduras. The Honduran government had a long history of suppressing dissent, and Scidmore's kidnapping was seen as a blatant attempt to silence her criticism of the government.

The debate about censorship in Honduras continued for many years. In 1904, the Honduran government passed a new constitution that guaranteed freedom of speech and the press. However, the government continued to suppress dissent in practice, and it was not until the 1980s that Honduras became a truly free country.

Scidmore's Legacy

Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore was a pioneer in the field of travel writing. She was one of the first American women to travel to Central America, and her writings helped to introduce the region to the American public.

Scidmore was also a courageous advocate for the rights of foreign nationals. Her kidnapping and subsequent release sparked a national debate about the state of censorship in Honduras, and her work helped to bring about much-needed reforms.

Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore is a reminder of the power of one person to make a difference. Her story is an inspiration to all who fight for freedom of speech and the press.

Kidnapped: Censorship in Honduras

by Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Print length	:	74 pages

FREE