Governor of the Cordillera tells the story of an American colonial official in the Philippines who took the unpopular position of defending the rights of the Igorots, was fired in disgrace, and made a triumphal return. During the first fifteen years of colonial rule (1898–1913), a small group of Americans controlled the headhunting tribes who were wards of the nascent colonial government. These officials ignored laws, carved out fiefdoms, and brutalized (or killed) those who challenged their rule. John Early was cut from a different cloth. Battling colleagues and supervisors over their treatment of the mountain people, Early also had run-ins with lowland Filipino leaders like Manuel Quezon. Early's return as governor of the entire Cordillera was celebrated by all the tribes.In Governor of the Cordillera Shelton Woods combines biography with colonial history. He includes a discussion on the exhibition of the Igorots at the various fairs in the US and Europe, which Early tried to stop. The life of John Early is a testament to navigating political and racial divides with integrity.
Shelton Woods is Associate Dean of the Honors College and Professor of East/Southeast Asian History at Boise State University.
IntroductionPart One: John Early's Path to the Igorots(1521–1906)1. The Making of a Governor2. Eight Million Souls for Twenty Million Dollars3. War and Colonial Policies4. The Discovery of the Igorots5. The Philippine ConstabularyPart Two: The Creation of Mountain Province (1906–1908)6. John Early in the Cordillera7. Dean Worcester and the Making of Mountain Province8. Early's Move to Bontoc: Teaching, Bricks, and Olympics9. Lieutenant Governor of Amburayan10. Lieutenant Governor of BontocPart Three: Conflict (1910–1911)11. Alcohol, Labor, and Land12. The Problem of Kalinga and the Hale Solution13. The Bacarri Problem14. The Bacarri Massacre15. The Report16. Igorots on Display17. Schneidewind Meets His Match18. New Players, New Problems19. Early's Last Stand20. Tragedy in EuropePart Four: Banishment, Politics, War, and Scandals (1911–1921)21. Early's Exile South22. Changes in Mountain Province23. Colonial Policies: Harrison, Osmeña, and Quezon24. World War I and a Troubled Yet Vibrant Economy25. Marriages and Scandals26. Wilson's Parting Shot and the Republicans ReturnPart Five: Sweet Dreams and Nightmares Come True (1922–1932)27. The Wood-Forbes Mission28. Governor-General Wood29. Vindication30. Political Deadlock31. "We Felt It Was Our Duty to Confirm Him"32. Henry Stimson33. Dark Days34. Advisor to the Governor-General35. Vice-Governor36. "Please Write Your Story"Epilogue
