by Max Howell
Henry shook hands, his body surging with excitement. Tears came to his eyes, tears of joy, of happiness. He asked: “Can I see my wife now?”
“Yes, you can. She is waiting for you.”
He rushed in, overjoyed, and took her in his arms. She was flushed, and exhausted, but they both exulted in the moment.
A nurse came in with the baby, which was laid gently in the bed next to her. They looked wondrously at her. She was so beautiful, helpless, innocent.
He asked: “What will we call her?”
She smiled: “There is only one name!”
“Then it is as we agreed?” he asked.
She nodded. “Helene! Helene Luce!”
“La Belle Helene” he said.
She repeated. “Yes. La Belle Helene. “The beautiful Helene.”
CHAPTER 6.
THE OLYMPIC YEARS
Henry and Joanne were completely enraptured with Helene as a baby. They would watch her and play with her by the hour, simply amazed at her absolute helplessness. They wondered how babies ever survived in ancient times, and it drove home to them why there had been a high mortality rate in those far-off days. Knowledge of hygiene and disease was, in the thirties, fortunately well advanced, and yet despite that they were forever anxious. When Helene slept they were particularly nervous, wondering all the time whether she was indeed breathing.
Contrasting with Helene’s helplessness they were amazed at the baby’s powers of learning, her recognition of them, her cries when she wanted to be fed, her smiles when things amused her. They delighted in placing a finger in her chubby little hands and letting her squeeze it. They were totally absorbed in her surprisingly rapid development. The experiences they shared brought Henry and Joanne even closer together.
It was during this first six months in the small town of Eynsham, outside of Oxford, that they talked about and finally set up legally the Henry Luce Foundation, which they had been discussing during their travels. They decided that the purpose of the Foundation would be to aid the poor and the disadvantaged. Their immediate objective was to decide on the most worthy causes. Their overall plan was to provide each recipient area with ten million dollars, the interest on that money being spent annually on that target group. A canny businessman, Henry had escaped the ravages of the depression, and in fact his capital had increased rapidly and was back up to $100 million.
They decided to limit themselves in the initial phases to three worthy causes. They would be influenced in their original three choices by articles they had read, discussions with various aid organisations, or by direct visitations they would make.
They made up a short list and decided to make personal visitations to the following countries: India, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. First however they decided to return to the United States, and to take up residency there.
They wanted to see how Helene took to travelling while so young, and were surprised how easy it was, and how accommodating she was. They would carry her at first in a basket, and the motion of them walking seemed to rock her to sleep. She was the same in prams. Joanne and Henry were highly amused, calling her their “natural little world traveller.” Wherever they were going, however, they made certain that everything the baby might want would be carried with them. They never gambled on the availability of any of her fundamental needs.
After considerable searching, they decided in late 1931 that their USA base would be in the Berkeley Hills, not far away from the University of California at Berkeley. Set near the Berkeley Rose Gardens, their house provided a stunning view of the Bay bridge and San Francisco. Their home was set back from the road, and was Mexican style. It had six bedrooms, an immense patio with a large swimming pool.
Joanne was asked when there to join the exclusive Berkeley Women’s City Club, which she did, in the hope that the membership might aid Helene in her growing years, with its various social and recreational offerings. She would occasionally lunch there, and got to know many women with young children about Helene’s age among the members. They all extolled the virtues of a swimming program set up for young ones from six months onwards, and had discussions with the person in charge, one ‘Cap’ Pease, who was in the department of physical education at the nearby University of California. He explained that children of Helene’s age utilised a glottal reflex, which would close when a baby was taken underwater so that it did not swallow water. Sceptical at first, she and Henry observed lessons with other children, and were soon convinced. So Helene, at six months of age, was enrolled in the program. Following the advice of ‘Cap’ Pease, Joanne first of all took the child herself into the swimming pool in the club, and with ‘Cap’ on hand started familiarising Helene with the water. The baby would put her arms around her mother and then would kick with an automatic frog kick, and occasionally even a crude crawl kick would ensue. From the very first moment she got into a pool Helene loved it, and when her confidence was gained Joanne would take her under water. Helene would keep her eyes open, look at her mother, and would gurgle with delight as she was brought to the surface.
Every day in their Berkeley Hills home Joanne and sometimes Henry would take her into their own pool, and in no time Helene could swim unaided, using a primitive dog paddle, bringing her head up for air and then placing it back in the water. Someone had to be with her always for safety reasons, but she could soon swim from one side of the pool to the other. Her delight in swimming, even before she could talk, was obvious. The conclusion of the experts was that she as a “real natural” in a water environment. Whenever they travelled they endeavoured to check into a hotel or motel where there was a swimming pool, so that her practice could be continued.
In an endeavour to evaluate how Helene travelled they first of all took short trips to Los Angeles and San Diego, and then to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and Washington. As these went well with their young one, so they decided on an excursion to an area of the country neither one had been, but they had been reading much about in National Geographic in recent years. These were the so-called Four Corners States of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. The area encompassed exciting evidence of prehistoric Indian sites. Some of the early Indian cultures were the Anasazi, the Fremont, Cohoning, Sinagua, Hohokam and Mogollan cultures. Their precise boundaries were unknown, but evidence of these prehistoric cultures was in south-eastern Utah, western Colorado, northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. Geologists named this region the Colorado Plateau Province, and it was colloquially known as ‘canyon country’ or ‘canyonlands’.
Joanne and Henry prepared for this venture like an Arctic exploration, as the area in the 1930s was hot and arid, with few major cities close by. They prepared themselves for camping if necessary in the various state and national parks, but they felt that with bases in Albuquerque and Gallup in New Mexico, Phoenix and Sedona in Arizona, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Denver in Colorado, that any such camping might be unnecessary. Wherever they went ‘la belle Helene’ travelled with them.
They were surprised to learn that human migration into the Americas went back 12-15,000 years, as Asia and America were then joined at the Bering Strait. Slowly these peoples from Asia spread north and south, and eventually these primitive hunter-gatherer cultures moved into this so-called canyon country. The archaeologists and anthropologists agree that slowly but surely the hunter-gatherers became agriculturists, corn in particular being grown by them and becoming a staple food.
By 1250 A.D. these tribal territories began to shrink, for reasons still unknown. Various experts have expounded their theories why there was a decline, then a retreat and finally obliteration of these early cultures, and these have ranged from climatic reasons, such as droughts, overpopulation, disease and wars, to a combination thereof. The Anasazi, Fremont and other adjacent cultures were in time superseded by the Navajo and Apache tribes.
Certainly there appeared to be evidence of fear from outside threats, which Henry and Joanne could clearly see with the movement of the Ind
ians from living in ground-level pueblos to spectacular cliff dwellings, like those at the Mesa Verde in Colorado, Lavender Canyon in Utah, the Gila Cliff dwellings in Utah and New Mexico, and so many others. It was hard for them to believe that young children did not fall to their deaths as the living and sleeping areas in the cliff dwellings were so high up.
It was during their visitations that they had the opportunity to converse with national and state park officials, many of whom were Indians.
They were particularly impressed with one Billy Red Feathers, a proud member of the Apache tribe. He told them: “Our problem has been that we Indians were a relatively static society, with little change. We were happy in that environment: we looked after each other, we worshipped the same gods, and performed much the same tasks daily as our ancestors. We were simply overtaken or overrun, initially by the Spanish, and then by the Americans. Theirs was a culture of change, of land acquisition, of territorial expansion. Our basic cultures were in absolute conflict, but we did not have the military resources to combat the whites. The bow and arrow was ineffectual against the rifle.”
Henry interrupted: “So what should be done now?”
Billy replied: “It is debatable. Should we live in reservations, or should we be left to our own devices in a white culture? Maybe the best thing is to offer a combination. Some may wish to maintain their tribal identity and live partially like their forefathers did, whereas others may see that there is no future in that, and they would have to learn the skills of the white and live in that environment.”
Henry asked: “Well, which direction did you take?”
“Well”, he went on, “I kept my foot in both camps. I actually live with my family in a nearby reservation, but as you can see I work for the government as a ranger. Incidentally, the government pays an Indian if he remains on a reservation, but he gets no money from the federal government if he lives outside the reservation.”
“That seems ridiculous”, said Henry.
“I agree. Conditions on the reservation are such that the majority of my people have no incentive, no goals in life. They stagnate. In my case, I took school very seriously, and after I passed high school, a rarity among my Indian peers, I decided to go to Arizona State University, at Phoenix. It was very tough going, as I worked in a restaurant for 75 cents an hour to get through.”
“My congratulations.”
“Thank you. However my overriding goal was to do something for my own people. So I completed a degree in archaeology, the first Indian in the United States with that specialisation, but after working a few years in that domain I decided that I might do more for my people in the work I am now doing as an official and advisor in the parks. I am one of the very few Indians to even graduate from a University. My studies were completed with no outside help at all. However I believe that a prime need for Indians is some form of financial inducement to encourage them to go on to University. We need doctors, dentists, lawyers, teachers, anthropologists, archaeologists and so on. In this way we can prove ourselves in white society, rather than just wait and stagnate on the reservations depending on government hand-outs. Without help this will not happen.”
Both Joanne and Henry were impressed with Billy Red Feathers, and discussed his concerns throughout the night. By the following morning their position was clear, so they returned to meet Billy once more. He was surprised to see them again.
“Billy”, Henry began, “my wife and I have been talking about what you said yesterday, and we would like to do something about it.”
“Really”, said Billy. “But I don’t understand.”
“First, Billy, you will excuse me if I ask you a personal question. You may not wish to answer. What do you earn as a ranger?”
“There’s no secret in that. I am a ranger 4 in the government service, and I get $12,000 a year. Those facts are readily available.”
“Billy, I know all this will come as a surprise, but I would like you to work for us, on a two-year contract, renewable if everything proceeds according to plan, on $25,000 a year.”
“Now I really don’t understand.”
“Billy, my wife and I are very wealthy, and we are in the process of making decisions on various trusts we are establishing throughout the world. We have decided after listening to you to institute Fellowships for Indians for Higher Education. This would seem to be a worthy cause, and one which will make a great contribution to our own country. We would ask you to consider being the Director. The Trust would be established by us with a grant of $10 million, though only the interest of that capital might be used for the Fellowships. My estimate is that it would bring in roughly $150,000 a year for your disposal for Fellowships, the remaining $50,000 for your salary, housing, support staff and additional expenses. What do you say?”
“I am overwhelmed, absolutely overwhelmed. It is beyond the wildest dreams of my life, and I don’t have to think about it, my answer is that I would be very honoured to be in charge of such a plan. But why me?”
“Well, my wife and I discussed all that. First, you are Indian, and a proud one at that. Second, you showed the personal motivation and drive to succeed, and in our opinion these two qualities are the most important commodities in life. Third, you completely understand the problems of an Indian attending University, as you went through it all yourself. So you agree to our proposition?” Billy Red Feathers nodded. “And by the way, we will be attending the Los Angeles Olympic Games which are coming up shortly. I am making arrangements for a house there, and I would like you to stay with us and be our guest at the Games. That way, we can talk a little more, and work through the various problems related to what we are suggesting.”
“But what about my present job?”
“You solve that problem yourself, but you are on salary to me beginning to-morrow. We will finalise it all in a few days. By the way, are you married?”
“No, I live on the reservation with my father and mother. I have no brothers and sisters either.”
“That’s fine, then we will be in touch with you in a few days. Here is a thousand dollars to cement our arrangement.”
“But that is not necessary.”
“No, but it will reinforce that this venture is real and will go ahead. I am very excited, actually. I had not envisioned I would do something for my own country. So we will contact you again, in a few days.”
Henry proffered his hand, and they shook on it. Thus began an historic Trust Fund for Indians. As for Henry and Joanne, they were absolutely delighted in expanding their personal knowledge of the Indians, and were at the same time completely satisfied with the travelling capability of the young Helene.
1932 was a big year in California’s history, as Los Angeles was to be the host of the Xth Olympiad. Henry was early on seconded by Games organisers such as William May Garland, the President of the Organizing Committee of the Games, as Henry had particular knowledge of the shipping industry, and all overseas teams and sporting equipment were coming to the Games by ship. He also at times assisted the Treasurer, Harry Bauer. Joanne was asked to advise on the setting up of the Los Angeles Olympics archives when her abilities became known, which she was only too happy to do.
They rented a large mansion in Bel Air for a month prior to and after the Games, as well as for the Games themselves, and they made certain there was a swimming pool there for Helene. And Billy Red Feathers arrived in due course, so they could talk through the projected Indian Trust project with lawyers. The Opening Ceremony of the Los Angeles Games was July 30 1932 and the closing Ceremony was August 14.
Henry was provided with tickets in the official box for all of the days, and they started with the Opening Ceremony at the Olympic or Memorial Stadium, which had been completed in 1923 with 75,000 seats, and was then expanded in 1932 to 105,000. The Swimming Stadium, with a seating capacity of 10,000, was close to the stadium, then there was a Fencing Stadium at Long Beach, an Equestrian Stadium at the Riviera Country club, a Cycling Stadium in the Rose Bowl
at Pasadena, a Shooting Stadium at the Los Angeles Police Pistol Range at Elysian Park, and Cross Country courses throughout the city.
Whereas in the past teams had been quartered in hotels, as well as in isolated and well protected training quarters, Los Angeles came up with the idea of an Olympic Village. Though it was viewed sceptically at first, it proved to be an overwhelming success and would be adopted by other countries in subsequent Games. The idea was that the Village homes would be sold to the public after the Games.
In the Lounge of the Olympic Village, the following words greeted all who arrived there:
The Important Thing In The Olympic Games
Is Not To Win, But To Take Part, The Important
Thing In Life Is Not The Triumph But The
Struggle, The Essential thing Is Not To Have
Conquered But To Have Fought Well.
To Spread These Precepts Is To Build Up A
Stronger And More Valiant And, Above All,
More Scrupulous And More Generous Humanity.
De Coubertin.
Baron Pierre De Coubertin was the idealistic Frenchman who conceived the idea of the Modern Games, which began in Athens in 1896, the site of which Joanne and Henry had visited previously.
Joanne and Henry, both being on the Organising Committee, were also invited to various celebrity functions associated with the Games. On the evening prior to the Opening Ceremony they attended the very formal traditional dinner in the Ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel, and danced away the evening at the Reception and Ball at the Salu de Oro of the Biltmore.
Later, on August 4, they were at the dinner hosted by William May Garland, the senior member for the USA on the International Olympic Committee. This was held some forty miles away from Los Angeles, at the exclusive Bolsa Chua Club on the seashore.
What they also really enjoyed was a luncheon on August 6 at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture Studios, tendered by none other than Louis B. Mayer, who was a proud member of the Californian Olympiad Commission. They were provided with a tour of the studios and met hundreds of actors and actresses under contract. It was a rare experience for them.
