Volume 43- No. 48
November 28, 2013
by lyle e davis
Most of us are familiar with the tales of derring-do of our forefathers who came forth from the interior of our nation and emigrated to the west coast. We’ve heard of the hardships they endured and how some of them overcame them and were successful in arriving in California, Oregon, Washington . . . all the fun places on the western seaboard. And we learned of those that didn’t make it as well. But we haven’t heard a whole lot about the women folk who traveled with their men, with their families. They, too, had to endure a great deal.
What follows are excerpts from Across the Plains in '1864 by Prairie Schooner to Oregon, by Anna Dell Clinkinbeard, the great-great granddaughter of John Kelly Vandenburgh, a successful farmer near Dubuque, Iowa, who resolved to emigrate to Oregon. We think this gives you a fascinating glimpse into what it was like . . .back in the day: Father and Mother sat on the seat of one wagon, that first morning, Father driving the fine team of dappled grays, Derby and Prince, a team that soon became our pride and joy; they were so friendly and so true. At first Carrie and I and the three little boys had seats on the boxes and bedding under the cover. Carrie soon grew tired of her place there, however. Most of the journey she rode on the seat of one of the other wagons. It was always fun for us, though, to curl up on the bedding, looking out from beneath the cover flaps. Always there was something new to be seen, and I'm sure Father grew tired of questions. Two brothers, Tom and Chris Halligan, sons of a neighboring farmer we had always known, had been hired to drive the other wagons and help with the work of the travel. Major trotted happily beside the horses when we did not have him in the wagon with us.
Our wagons were well, but not heavily, loaded. Uncle Isaac The Paper - 760.747.7119
website:www.thecommunitypaper.com
email: thepaper@cox.net
and his brother Joe, who had decided to emigrate too, knew from experience that it was better to take an extra wagon than to have to travel slowly. One could always sell an extra outfit in the West if it was not needed, they said. They had helped Father make a list of necessary articles, and had advised as to the packing. It
was well for us that they were experienced, too, as we were saved many a hardship suffered by those who took with them unneeded things and discarded articles of great value on the plains. That list was so long that when I read it I wondered if there would be any room in the wagons for us.
Wagon Train Continued on Page 2
Here we were, however, all comfortably seated and ready for the long journey, ready except for some stores that Father planned to buy at Council Bluffs (Iowa). All our clothing, bedding, cooking utensils, and the food to be used first were in the wagon with us. One wagon carried little but horse feed to last until