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!

The Prairie Traveler by Randolph B. Marcy

The Prairie Traveler by Randolph B. Marcy was originally published in 1859.  Over 150 years later this volume is still infinitely readable.

U.S. Army Captain Marcy provides invaluable advice in preparing the prairie traveler for a successful journey across the American plains.  He presents detailed information on what to pack, the best mode of transportation, and the importance of picking a proficient wagon train leader.  He also advises the traveler on the best ways to ford rivers, whether to use oxen or mules, build shelters, hunt, communicate with Native Americans and protect themselves when necessary, how to survive snakebite, as well as the best method of how to get your stubborn mules across rivers.

Those adventurous souls that crossed the prairies prior to the publication of this handbook most likely wished it would have been available before they started their arduous journeys.

The Prairie Traveler may be a bit dated, but it is still fun and interesting to read.

What Ever Became of Ezra Meeker's "Oxmobile?"

What Ever Became of Ezra Meeker's "Oxmobile?"

The first time Ezra Meeker traveled the Oregon Trail was with his wife Eliza Jane in 1852.  His goal was to become a farmer; which he did.  He went on to become a successful businessman, historian, entrepreneur, civic leader, miner, merchant and author.  

Meeker was successful at whatever he put his hand to, but he was passionate about preserving America's legacy of the Oregon Trail.

He kept the Oregon Trail on the front pages by making many trips during his later years by retracing his original journey.  In 1906 he backtracked his steps in an ox-driven prairie schooner; traveling from his home in Washington state to Washington D.C.  He continued going back and forth along the Oregon Trail by train, car and plane.

 

In 1928 Ezra Meeker asked Henry Ford to refit a car to resemble a covered wagon.

Courtesy MOHAI (Neg 1986.5G.1920)

At the age of 98, Ezra was once again planning a trip along the Oregon Trail.  He fell ill shortly before making the expedition and had to return to Seattle by rail.  Ezra Meeker died December 3, 1928.

So what happened to the "Oxmobile?"  Both the Oregon Trail Memorial Association and the Henry Ford American Museum wanted it, but neither organization has it!

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie - The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory is great fun to read.

It can best be described as "Little House on the Prairie" hits the Oregon Trail.

Although Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie is a work of historical fiction, the landmarks exist, and many if not all of the experiences described, actually happened to our stalwart pioneers, many who were children, that came west using the Oregon, California and Mormon trails.

What a perfect gift to give a young lady for her 13th birthday!  Or for that matter, any girl or woman.  (Reading level is described as grades 3 through 7.)

It Happened On The Oregon Trail by Tricia Martineau Wagner

It Happened On The Oregon Trail by Tricia Martineau Wagner tells 29 different stories about Oregon Trail pioneers.  These short stories give us a glimpse into the everyday life, adventures, and struggles faced by these new residents of our western frontier.

Some of the people and families you will recognize; like the Applegates, the "Donner Party," Abigail Scott (Duniway) and Ezra Meeker among others.  You'll also read about some of the fun experienced by the teenagers, and you'll realize they're not so different than young people today.

There was also tragedy and death along the trail; like the heartbreaking story of Rebecca Winters who only made it halfway before succumbing to cholera; or the tragic story of a young man standing guard duty who accidentally killed his own father, thinking he was an Indian.

Many of the awe-inspiring sights the pioneers experienced can still be seen today; for example, Craters of the Moon and Thousand Springs in Idaho.

Next time you enjoy an apple grown in Oregon, remember Henderson Luelling and the special "tree wagon" he used to bring his fruit trees to the Willamette Valley all the way from Iowa.

With its short stories, It Happened On The Oregon Trail is a wonderful and easy book to read.  At the back of the book you'll find many references of where to visit the Oregon Trail and from the bibliography, you will find other Oregon Trail reading sources.

Thank you Ezra Meeker for tirelessly working to ensure that the Oregon Trail did not fall into obscurity and become obliterated by modern times (Ezra Meeker first followed the Oregon Trail in 1852, and retraced his steps many times throughout his long life).

It Happened On The Oregon Trail can be purchased now for just $12.95.

or at the Josephine Historical Society's Bookshop located in the Research Library at 512 K Street, Grants Pass; or at their Online Bookshop.

Emigrant Life On The Plains - by Elizur Shaw

Emigrant Life On The Plains by Elizur Shaw shares Mr. Shaw's trip along the Oregon Trail in 1862 from Oneida, Illinois to Carson City, Nevada.

With the final destination of Seattle, Washington in mind, Mr. Shaw, his wife Martha, their three young children and his sister Abigail made this journey in hopes that the milder climate would improve frail Martha's health; although they were also hopeful that their financial condition would also be improved.


He shares with us their arduous ordeal including his unfortunate encounters with "Pocatello" and his Shoshone warriors, and his new-found aversion to "shortcuts."

Photo courtesy of Jean Edwards

The members of this pioneering family are now resting peacefully in the Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Photos courtesy of Jean Edwards

This book is out of print now, but used copies can still be found.

Jim Bridger and the Oregon Trail

The terms mountain man, army officer, trail blazer, trader, trapper, explorer, guide, merchant and interpreter all describe one man; James Felix "Jim" Bridger.

From the Noah H. Rose collection.

Fort Bridger, the Bridger Mountains, Bridger National Forest and Bridger Pass are all named after Jim Bridger.

He stumbled upon Utah's Great Salt Lake while mapping a trail between Bear River and Cache Valley.  He mistakenly thought it was the Pacific Ocean; and was perhaps the first white man ever to see this huge body of water.

He went on to establish Fort Bridger along the Green River in Wyoming.  Fort Bridger was an important stop for Oregon Trail travelers.  

In 1850, Bridger was hired for a surveying expedition, and while evading the Ogalala Indians (a sub-tribe of the Lakota people) he ended up shortening the Oregon Trail by 61 miles.  This pass he found is now known at the Bridger Pass.  

This route on the Continental Divide became the course for the Union Pacific Railroad and Interstate-80.

A Letter Home

"September 4th, 1887
Dear Aunt,

Yours of the 21 came to hand several days ago but I kept neglecting writing to see whether we were going to stay here or not but we are not going to stay here now. we have concluded to go on through to oregon this fall, though it will be pretty cool on us I expect. for we have had a right smart ice here in the vallies that is the reason we dont like here. it is so cold in the winter it snows here sometimes untill the trains can't run, so you know that it must be pretty deep. if it was not so cold I think we would like here. wages is good here, money is plenty & Game is plenty deer & Elk, Bear. the men are going out on a big Hunt before we start out again I guess. they will bring in a wagon load of game in (which) you never saw the like of fish in your life mostly all Trout, they are right of spoted, I wish you and boys was with us. we have not heard from uncle Jess since we left him. I have writen back but havent got any answer yet. I dont know what is the reason unless the mail has got missplaced, Aunt I hope Lee has got well & stout by this time. I wish I could have been there to gone with Jake, to the picnic & I would like to be thare now to go to ____? meeting with you. I have read a heap about those Noted preachers & I would like to hear them. we dont have any meeting here only the Mormans & I dont care to go to hear them well I will have to stop writing for this time. I will write again before we get through. Lyda said she would write some. Ma has been sick for 2 or 3 days but she is better so I will close hoping this will find you well. from your Neice M Zemmer Sep 10th Aunt I thought I would write a few lines more as we will (leave) this place Tomorrow or next day to go up in the Mountains to Hunt & Fish there we will start on to oregon, we will be there a week you can send your next letter to Boice City Idaho, it will take us 3 weeks to go there. then I wont hear from you any more untill we get through so I will close for this time hopeing to hear from you when I get thare from your loveing Niece Mollie Zemmer Tell Jake we will try to have our pictures struck as soon as we can & send them to him."

Trail ruts near Guernsey, Wyoming - photo courtesy of Chris Light

This is a letter Mollie Zemmer wrote to her aunt Mary Jane Warren Zemmer while living in the Wyoming Territory.

A Day In A Life Along The Oregon Trail

"Sunday, May 8th -- Sunday morning. Still in camp waiting to cross. There are three hundred or more wagons in sight and as far as the eye can reach, the bottom is covered, on each side of the river, with cattle and horses. There is not ferry here and the men will have to make one out of the tightest wagon-bed (every company should have a waterproof wagon-bed for this purpose). Everything must now be hauled out of the wagons head over heels (and he who knows where to find anything will be a smart fellow), then the wagons must be all taken to pieces, and then by means of a strong rope stretched across the river, with a tight wagon-bed attached to the middle of it, the rope must be long enough to pull from one side to the other, with men on each side of the river to pull it. In this way we have to cross everything a little at a time. Women and children last, and then swim the cattle and horses. There were three horses and some cattle drowned while crossing this place yesterday. It is quite lively and merry here this morning and the weather fine. We are camped on a large bottom, with the broad, deep river on one side of us and a high bluff on the other."

Independence Rock - photo courtesy of Thunderbrand

This is from the 1853 diary of Amelia Stewart Knight.  She, her husband and seven children left Iowa in April of 1853 and made their way to Oregon in Autumn of the same year.

A Day In A Girl's Life On The Oregon Trail

"August 1st we nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion.

When performing this feat that afternoon my dress caught on an axle helve and I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my limb before father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury when the injured limb hung dangling in the air.

In a broken voice he exclaimed: "My dear child, your leg is broken all to pieces!" The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set; then we pushed on the same night to Laramie, where we arrived soon after dark. This accident confined me to the wagon the remainder of the long journey."

Catherine Sager Pringle, 1890.

Image courtesy of the Oregon State Library.

These words were written by Catherine Carney Sager in 1844.  She was nine years old when her family began their journey along the Oregon Trail.

Both of Catherine's parents died along the Oregon Trail; leaving Catherine, her two older brothers and four younger sisters, including the baby "Rosanna" born May 30, 1844, orphans.


They were adopted by missionaries, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman.  The Whitman's were massacred in November 1847 once again leaving the Sager children orphans.


In about 1860 Catherine Carney Sager wrote her account of their journey along the Oregon Trail and their pioneer life.

A Day In A Fur Trapper's Life

"Sunday [March] 28th Cold and clair. we traveled to day 6 miles N W over high river cliffs. The country was such as to prevent me from continuing my course W The principal branch of the river bg S W & N E distant from this camp about 5 miles The country generally - is becoming very much cut to pieces by ravines or dry hollers some of the vallies are verry fertile but their driness renders them unfit for cultivation - Snow is so common that I have omitted to note its falling at least two days out of Three"


This comes from the 1825 diary of William H. Ashley during a fur trapping expedition.  Mr. Ashley was an entrepreneur, fur trader and politician.  Although the major Oregon Trail migration did not take place until 1843, Mr. Ashley followed the route of what would later become the Oregon Trail.