2. We are off! April 28, 1853 Independence Mo. My name is Sarah
and I am the wife of Moses and the mother to three beautiful
children. Thomas is 17 years old, Mary is 10 and Charles is 5.
Moses said a better future awaits us, as they are giving free land
away in Oregon. He says it will take us six months travel to
arrive, I hope we make it. Moses has gathered our supplies: a
wagon, 7 oxen, food, a few cooking pans, our two rifles, gun
powder, lead, a few candles, a few clothes, my sewing kit, soap and
some tools Moses heard would be useful on the trail. Thomas, who
loves music, brought his fiddle. Mary, who loves books brought her
favorite and Thomas brought his sling shot. I brought my Bible and
my mothers quilt. April 30, 1853 Today went rather well, we had one
member of our party jump out just in the nick of time as his wagon
tipped over, we all stopped to help and are thankful he and his
family are well. We were able to travel about 16 miles today. It
sure does feel like rain. It would be good for the cattle but I
cant imagine it will be good for the wagons or pleasure!
3. May 5th 1853 We saw our first Indian today! They were very
friendly and we traded with them and paid them ferry to go across
the Kansas River. I must admit I was quite frightened. Many
families are on the trail here looking to cross the river first.
Thomas and Mary seem to enjoy the hustle of the camp, while Charles
clings to my skirt. Since we are unable to cross the river for a
couple of days, I hope to use the time to keep up on Mary and
Charless schooling. May 6th, 1853 The weather has proven to be a
formable obstacle on our journey. We have traveled none today
because of the rain and lost one ox. We were able to find him
rather quickly. The children are very sick of the rain, as am I.
Moses has gone to meet with the men this evening to speak to our
guide about our plans.
4. May 8, 1853 Our men and guide decided to start us out early
this morning so that we could be one of the first on the ferry,
when we got there the rope was broken!! The next passing was seven
miles up river. As we were setting out we passed a wagon that
carried a man with the Small Pox. I pray my family makes it to
Oregon healthy and strong. One of our wheels has begun to crack.
Moses is worried about it , I can tell. May 22nd 1853 One of our
cattle just dropped and fell in the yoke yesterday, the journey to
hard for him, we now are down to six. Last night we had a storm,
with winds like I had never seen! We had to turn our wagons and
drive the tongue of the wagon into the dirt just to barely keep
from getting blown over. We lost some clothes and cooking pots, but
were able to catch all of our cattle.
5. June 10, 1853 We saw the Chimney Rock as we passed it this
morning! What a beautiful country this is. We traveled a total of
15 miles today. Thomas was able to play is fiddle last night next
to the camp fire as we sang songs as a group, it was wonderful!
June 24, 1853 We have made it to Platte River Crossing. The men
decided that we could box up our wagon and cross ourselves, saving
us money. As the charge to cross here is six dollars per wagon. We
continued up and found good grass for the cattle and a good
crossing. Moses and the men got two wagons across before the strong
winds came. We will camp here and hopefully cross the other wagons
tomorrow. Moses said he got word that the ferry went down today
with a wagon that was too heavy. We pray for the families.
6. July 23 1853 Today we passed Steamboat Springs and if I had
not seen it myself I would not have believed it!!! Its boiling warm
water shoots through the rocks about two to three feet high I would
say! Thomas noticed something wrong with the horse, we immediately
gave it lard and vinegar, she seems to be better. July 31 1853 We
parted ways and well wishes with some of our train members as they
split off to go to California. It was sad to see them go but I know
that we are that much closer to our dreams in Oregon! The
mosquitoes are next to unbearable!
7. August 18 1853 Moses and the men have decided to avoid the
road this morning as a result of a severe cholera break out ahead
last night. Word is it is horrible. We will take the mountain
route. I pray we make it through the dusty journey. To be ill with
all this dust would be a trying thing indeed. The children are in
good spirits but ready to be in Oregon. I tell them a little more
than a month and our new life will begin. I have to say I will not
be sorry to leave the wagon and dust behind. August 20 1853 We
camped on the Snake River tonight. Thomas and Mary picked up chips
for fuel. I hope the mosquito's will stay away tonight, they are
with out mercy!. We had to get rid of some supplies to make our
wagon lighter to ferry. I had to part with mothers quilt it makes
me tear up to think about it.
8. September 8 1853 It was another hard day over the mountains
and trying to get through the forest. We woke up to our cattle and
others cattle missing. They were all found but delayed our start
for sure. September 20 1853 We are finally here, Oregon is all that
I dreamed it would be and more! Moses will go and work out the
details of getting our land. He hopes to find some near a stream.
Our new life will begin and we all survived to live it!
