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Joubert, Wilfred Arthur (compiler).

Scrap Book [cover title].

Chiapas, Mexico: ca. 1908–1919. Scrapbook, 280mm x 225, 30 leaves with affixed clippings, letters, notes, programs, and miscellany. 1 letter 8vo (260mm x 205), green and white paper, 15 pp. of manuscript.

An engaging scrapbook kept by an American rubber businessman in Mexico who, upon returning to the U.S., lectured widely throughout New England—and to great popular acclaim—on the turbulent situation in Revolution-era Mexico; included is a lengthy letter from Joubert to his wife describing an excursion in Chiapas, and a typed note signed by Pancho Villa.

A pioneer in balata and rubber, Wilfred Arthur Joubert (1867-1942) of Boston discovered many valuable reefs in British and Dutch Guiana and was in the midst of establishing a rubber business in southern Mexico when in 1913 his plans were torched due to the incendiary conflicts surrounding the Mexican Revolution (ca. 1910–1920). He would promptly return to New England, nearly penniless after living in Mexico for more than two decades. Back in the U.S., he lectured from ca. 1913–19 on the "true conditions regarding the present trouble in Mexico" to various high-profile gatherings and institutions, and wrote popular pieces such as "The Problem of the Mexican Peon" (1917) in Harper's Magazine. After the outbreak of WWI, he took a factory job as a "helper" and—as he insists—"reveled a year in jeans and grease"—being compensated war-time wages. During the war he wrote the piece Neighbor Hans which sparred with enemy propaganda and enjoyed a long magazine run. He would also go on to make speeches for the Allied cause under the National Service Section of the U.S. Shipping Board, and would even take a Y.M.C.A. post in France just before the war ended.

Included in this scrapbook is one newspaper advertisement for a Joubert lecture, featuring a dashing photo of the chap himself; the text below reads, "Here Mr. Joubert, ready to mount his mustang for his daily rounds, as he has done the past three years as manager of one of the largest ranches in southern Mexico." Joubert was doubtless a character. Referring to a newspaper clipping a friend mails him, he writes, "I feel duly grateful for the credit given me of having 'opened a commissary' (whether I used a machete or a can-opener is not recorded)." One newspaper clipping—relating to a lecture of his—bears the heading, "Mr. Joubert Gave Praises to Mr. Wilson"; part of the clipping reads: "He enlightened his hearers on many details which they hitherto have been unfamiliar with and he told of stories which have never before been written or told in the states. In speaking of Ambassador Wilson who was removed some time ago from Mexico, Mr. Joubert had nothing but praise." Another appearance at the Boston Art Club is related: "Joubert's information is first hand. It is a personal story of real events, delivered off hand with rapid fire, virile power, and convincing force. When you hear Joubert you really have a personal interview with the chief actor in a big story. It grips!"

The scrapbook is filled with newspaper clippings—some with commentary and underlining by Joubert—that document the period of strained political relations between the U.S. and Mexico surrounding the Mexican Revolution and the activities of Pancho Villa; many of the clippings also relate to Joubert's lectures. The articles are drawn from a variety of publications, from 1913–17: Mexican Herald, Boston Herald, Collier's, NY Sun, The Boston Traveler, Daily Globe, etc. Three clippings relate to Joubert's son Sylvester, who in 1911—as part of a Canadian expeditionary force—was wounded in France by a bursting shell. One list, likely from Joubert's lecture notes, is entitled, "Mexican Lecture Topics" and includes, "Hidalgo—1807"; "American Invasion—1845"; "Revolution—November, 1910"; etc.

Also included is a letter dated 17 November 1908, written by Joubert to his wife, addressed as "My Dear Little Wifey." This letter documents an excursion Joubert undertakes to "Salto" [Salto de Agua/Lumija, Chiapas] by way of "the Michol [river] to make a report on that stream." This report is compiled on the behalf of an unnamed (yet likely rubber) company and is apparently a matter of some importance, as he asks his wife to destroy the "paper copy" he is sending after she reads it. Traveling by canoe, his party stops mid-journey for lunch:

The cooks put up a unique lunch which was an agreeable surprise when I got after it. First they had made a large tortilla the size of a plate…and made from ground corn and fried like a fritter…upon this they spread some fried chicken with a side of frijoles (pronounced free-ho-las)…and on this was spread some 'papas fritas' or fried potatoes.

He pauses: "Well the lunch was the biggest thing that happened on the trip down. For the rest it was a wet, muddy, buggy, and tiresome journey"; and jokes, "you can imagine what a comfortable journey it was." The Michol river meets with the Rio Tulijá, and here they meet an American who pilots them down to Salto; "he had been up to our place…a short time before, looking for some banana plants but I could sell him none as we need what we have for our own replanting." Once he reaches Salto he puts in his order for supplies. At the town, one man receives a new phonograph, "and at 1 A.M. [he] put it out in the middle of the street and kept it going for two hours with a noisy and appreciative audience in attendance."

The next morning Joubert's canoe is packed with supplies but he is missing "a little glass lamp and chimney" and so must wait for their arrival. At noon the mail boat arrives and he is invited to join the "jefe politico" for drinks on the boat. He receives several letters here and proceeds to comment at length on a certain Dona Basilia, who—he relates—was formerly "the 'man' of Salto," but still "holds considerable property" in the area. "Basilia is the whole show in town. She is quite stout and always jolly and good natured with a laugh that shows some teeth that forced Dr. Zellar to remark that he would have to go out of business if many had such teeth as hers." He makes note of a German man by the name of Martins who has monopolized existing plantations in these parts and has, through building up a "general business," effectively displaced Dona. Joubert proceeds to remark upon the periods of boom and bust of industry here which issued from the first boom of the rubber plantations. Martins' business partner is the young Spaniard Gonzalo Moral, to whom Joubert is apparently "under obligations…for quite a lot of assistance."

Upon returning to his plantation via mule, Joubert discovers—to his great delight—that his young banana plants are "banana green!"—"it seemed as if they had come up overnight…The mighty magician was here and his name was moisture assisted by tropical warmth and rich soil." At his plantation, he and his business partner Ed are employing 30 men, and he explains that they have "but a short time to build our roads, clean our stream, and build our carts and canoes before we shall be swamped with bananas." He proceeds to offer a lengthy snapshot of their corn operation—which includes both production and distribution—and then his day-to-day routine. In his down time at night, both he and Ed study Spanish. In closing his letter he relates to his wife, "the time has passed when you can laugh at me on horse back as I am now quite at home in the saddle, and afford sport to no one, though I am not yet a trick rider and cannot ride bare-back." He signs off with, "Affectionately Hubby."

[with]

1 typescript letter, 2 pp. by Shirley C. Hulse, a photographer for National Geographic and writer, to Joubert dated 13 March 1916. Included with Hulse’s letter is an note (170 x 215 mm) signed by Pancho Villa himself, “El General en Jefe,” which authorizes payment for the repair of a machine. The document is dated 3 June 1913. In her letter to Joubert, Hulse writes: “I hope you will not be too hard on my amigo vieho Panchito, in view of his latest escapade. May I repeat that I know he is bad and I hope they get him and all that, but after all, does not this latest outrage prove his nerve and his guts and his obsession to down Mexico’s enemies as he sees them—Carranza being the chief offender? I have no illusions about Don Pancho, but I believe in giving the Devil his due—and D.P. sure qualifies for dues. And will they get him real soon? Not if I know Villa and Chihuahua they wont.”

[with]

1 typed (and copied) letter by Shirley C. Hulse to the Editor of the Public Ledger of Philadelphia, dated 3 August 1915, 1 p. Hulse relates she was once in close contact with various Mexican guerilla warfare leaders while she was living in Mexico, such as Pancho Villa, Macliovo Herrera, and Juan Dozal. She notes how “for some little time after leaving Mexico I was in close communication with events in the North and the actions of Villa during this time served to strengthen my first hand impression of him.”

[with]

1 typescript letter written to Joubert by H.H. Markley from Finca Puenta, Piedra, Lumija, Chiapas, dated 10 January 1917, 1 p. Markley relates a number of recent raids that have transpired in the town of El Salto, Mexico, the first of which was conducted by Chiaponiscans who surprised the town and occupied it for ten days—thereupon forcing the citizens and Carranza soldiers to flee. Markley touches on the various movements and doings of the Carranza soldiers and the recent events taking place in and around Salto. He appears to be another American expat, as he expresses his wish to “get North this year.”

[with]

1 typescript letter written by Joubert addressed to a Ms. Adams in Hyde Park, Mass., 31 March 1914, 1 p. Joubert comments on the recent expulsion of President Wilson from Mexico as well as the recent press his public appearances have garnered.

[with]

6 letters from Harper's between Feb.–Sept. 1917, procuring an article from Joubert, 6 pp.

[with]

5 typescript letters concerning invitations to Joubert to deliver a lecture, one from Cornell University, July 1914–April 1919, 5 pp.

[with]

2 thank you letters addressed to Joubert, 1 typescript, 1 manuscript, 2 pp.

[with]

1 typescript dated 20 June 1916, concerning the U.S. perception of the Mexican Revolution, 1 p.

[with]

Typescript copy of a piece on Mexico by Raymond G. Carroll, from the Philadelphia Ledger.

A interesting scrapbook kept by a charming and adventurous rubber businessman and lecturer, containing much matter for study.

REFERENCES: Dunlap, John R. and Henry Clemens Pearson, ed. Rubber World, Volumes 63–64, NY, 1921, p. 603; The Lyceum News, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Chicago, November 1911); Joubert, Wilfred A. “The problem of the Mexican Peon.” Harper's Magazine, July 1917, Vol. 135, pp. 268–80.

CONDITION: Good.

Item #4443

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