Witness to War: Mexico in the Photographs of Walter Elias Hadsell

Witness to War is a powerful visual record of a young American man's venture into Mexico during the early 1900s, documenting the country's mining industry and Mexican life in other cities. It follows him from his time as a mining engineer to his 1917 return to mining in Arizona, and includes images of the damage done in Mexico City during a 1913 uprising that led to the assassination of Mexican president Francisco Madero. The photographs are essential historical records of President Woodrow Wilson's intervention in Mexican affairs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Trinity University Press,U.S.

Witness to War is a captivating visual chronicle that delves into the adventurous journey of a young American man in Mexico during the tumultuous early 1900s, as the country embarked on a revolutionary path. Walter Elias Hadsell, a skilled photographer who had recently graduated as a mining engineer, embarked on a remarkable expedition to document a crucial era of foreign investment in Mexico's mining industry. In the process, he captured poignant scenes of Mexican life in various cities.

Susan Toomey Frost, drawing from an extensive collection of Hadsell's original photographic prints, weaves a captivating narrative that spans his ten-year sojourn in Mexico. The images in Witness to War trace his journey from his early days as a mining engineer in Mexico to his return to mining in Arizona, his home state, in 1917.

Driven by a passion for photography and a future career in the field, Hadsell swiftly secured the Kodak franchise for Veracruz, Mexico's most significant port since colonial times. His dedication to documenting the events of his time led him to capture the devastating aftermath of a ten-day uprising in 1913, which ultimately resulted in the assassination of Mexican president Francisco Madero.

Veracruz, once a peaceful city, became a focal point of U.S. interference in the Mexican Revolution when President Woodrow Wilson invaded the country in 1914. Wilson's intervention aimed to thwart Mexico's successor president and support opposing forces. As a resident American citizen, Hadsell had firsthand access to the unfolding military operation. His photographs serve as invaluable historical records of Wilson's intervention in Mexican affairs.

Hadsell's camera captured haunting images of a defenseless city disrupted by the arrival of thousands of American troops. With no clear exit strategy, U.S. forces remained in Veracruz for seven months before abruptly departing. However, Hadsell's personal life was struck by tragedy when his wife passed away, leaving him behind with three young children, all born in Mexico.

In addition to the personal challenges he faced, Hadsell also experienced the loss of his Veracruz studio during a period of anti-American sentiment. Despite these setbacks, Hadsell's unwavering commitment to his craft and his passion for documenting the truth remained unwavering. Witness to War stands as a testament to his remarkable journey and the enduring impact of his photographs on the history of Mexico and the world.

Weight: 834g
Dimension: 260 x 262 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781595349682