Covered Wagon Women (Diaries & Letters From the Western Trails, 140-1849)

 Covered Wagon Women

Diaries & Letters From The Western Trails, 1840-1849

edited and compiled by Kenneth L. Homes

Covered Wagon Women is a fascinating book to read.  The introduction by the editor gives a great perspective and context of each diary or letter written by these truly amazing women.

These diaries give us a glimpse of what life on the pioneer trail was like through the eyes of women.  When they say "trail," keep in mind that in some places it was miles wide!  So many people making their way to a better life, fortune, or just hoping they'd make it to their destination.

One thing all of these very different women have in common; they never complained, they did not whimper, they did what they had to to survive and make sure their children survived.

I especially enjoyed the diaries of the two young girls; Virginia E.B. Reed, aged 13 and Sallie Hester, aged 14.  Perhaps it was because they had more free time than the grown women to describe the country that they traveled through.  For example, Sallie Hester's description of St. Joe, Missouri while her family waited their turn to cross the river; "As far as eye can reach, so great is the emigration, you see nothing but wagons.  This town presents a striking appearance - a vast army on wheels..."

Covered Wagon Women Diaries & Letters From The Western Trails, 1840-1849 is the first of a ten volume series of diaries.  I can't wait to read the next volume!