The McGuffy sisters were born with the jungle drums beating in their breasts. Their father, Max McGuffy, explored the South Seas his entire adult life, and he raised his daughters among the natives in the region. The above photo (circa 1909) shows the sisters in native dress out for a walk.
Maxene documented her experiences in a diary that became
the basis for the book, I Married a Cannibal: The Remarkable Life
of Maxene McGuffy. It’s a wonderful tale told in Maxene’s unique
style. Her optimistic outlook permeates the entire book but no more
so than in the chapter about how her sisters, Laverne and Patricia (Patty),
mistakenly wind up as part of the feast at Maxene’s wedding. Most
women would have let their sisters’ being roasted in front of them spoil
their big day, but not Maxene. Here’s an excerpt from the book:
Then it’s like I heard a voice telling me, “Why, hell,
I’d get drunk.” So I did, and then I grabbed my camera and started
snapping pictures of the girls as fast as I could. It made me feel
so much better. I just wish the cook wouldn’t have covered their
eyes like that. They had such pretty eyes, especially, Patty.
I think the witch doctor kept the eyes. They’re supposed to be great
for casting spells and such.