Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and family. The title
Independence Day truly says it all to me. I hope your day was filled with
salutes, patriotism, and thanks to those who serve and have served the country.
This month the newsletter is going to introduce you the
trials and tribulations the pioneers of the Westward Expansion experienced.
These brave emigrants sought independence, prosperity, and plenty in the west.
Many achieved it, many did not. They all had a dream.
Following more setbacks than I want to describe the
novel, JOURNEY OF HONOR (JOH), is finally moving along again. I can “see” the
end of the trail. JOH is the novel of my heart. It began about 18 years ago as
one of the first writing projects I considered after I was hurt. It was lost in
a drawer for many years. Finally, four years ago I pulled it out and started
over. The novel you will see has been through many changes. Most you wouldn’t
want to read. But, I do think readers will feel the love I have for the Oregon
Trail on every page.
The
early spring image is what Missouri must have looked like on leaving day.
THE
OREGON TRAIL
Most
emigrants made the decision to travel west a year before leaving day. The man
of the family almost always made the decision and the women were put to work. A
year wasn’t nearly enough time to be prepared. Supplies had to be laid in,
wagons built and covered, livestock bought and prepared to pull heavy loads,
clothing for varying temperature extremes needed to be made, and the most
difficult decisions had to be made.
Astute
travelers paid close attention to the directions and handbooks provided by the
wagonmasters and left behind heavy furniture, iron stoves, heirloom china, and
other sentimental objects. Poorly chosen items often ended up on the side of
the trail when the livestock teams couldn’t pull the weight. I imagine the
heartbreak of having to toss something personal and precious on the side of a
dusty trail was profound.
Sarah
Pierce, the mother in JOH, chose not to take her mother’s entire set of
delicate china, but she did pack a teapot, two saucers, and two cups in a small
barrel of corn meal. The rest she sold to the new owner of the general store
she had owned with her husband.
What
were the pioneers required to pack in the 10 foot by 4 foot wagon bed covered
with a water-proof canvas? They needed four to six head of oxen or mules to
pull the load. Most included several head of cattle in the herd and a milk cow.
Hunting was important for the addition of food on the trail.
600 pounds flour
120 pounds biscuits/hardtack
400 pounds bacon packed in barrels of bran
60 pounds coffee/4 pounds tea
100 pounds sugar
200 pounds lard
Beans/Rice
Eggs packed in a barrel of corn meal
Dried fruit
Wheels of cheese
Potatoes
Dutch Oven
Skillet
Coffee pot/Coffee Grinder
Eating Utensils
Butter churn
Water pail
~~
Rifle/Shotgun/Hunting Knife/Axe/Whet stone
Saw
Mallet
Horse shoes/Oxen shoes/Nails/Rasp
~~
Clothing and shoes for every family member including
coats
Mattress/Bedding/Tent/Waterproof pads
Medical Kit
Journals/Pencils
Toys/Books
Leaving
day and the days before were times of great sadness. The time came to tell
friends and family good-bye for what would probably be a lifetime. But, when
the wagons began to roll forward on the 2000 mile journey the emigrants became
excited by the promise and the hope for achieving their dreams. Early spring
was the best time to leave because the grasses were beginning to grow on the
prairie. They hoped to arrive at their destination in the middle of October.
Routine,
weather, lack of forage for the livestock and water, disease, accidents, and
illness stalked the emigrants. Death occurred too often. The stamina and
courage required of the early pioneers would make us in this day and time
tremble with fear. What brave people. They arrived in the Oregon Territory
exhausted, hungry, cold, wet, and ready to begin clearing the new land they
acquired.
Leaving
you with images of the trail.
Hope you enjoyed this voyage into the History of the Oregon Trail and that you'll check back monthly to see what's going on with Journey of Honor.
Until next time....Stay cool this summer and Journey on toward your own quest.
Until next time....Stay cool this summer and Journey on toward your own quest.
Love,
Nona
