A Mother On The Oregon Trail Date: July 17th 1847, my husband, 3 kids and I have been on the Oregon Trail for just over 4 month and nearly 2500 miles. We were told that we would get 640 acres in the Willamette valley from the Organic Law of Oregon (Smith, 1998). We will find out in the morning. I am extremely excited for this is the last night before we get there. We left Virginia in March. My husband said that we did this to find a better life out here. He said that we would not have to worry about money. We will be able to grow and hunt everything we need. Any thing we cannot grow or hunt, we can tread for with the Indians or the other settlers. We are not alone on this trip. My husband talked three of my brothers in to coming along with us and they brought their families. My eldest brother has a wife and five older boys much older then my three young daughters. The middle brother has wife and four older children, three boys and a girl. My youngest brother had just married when my husband approached him with the thought of traveling with us. His wife’s family was not fond of the idea and even purchased all of the supplies they were going to need… or so they thought. Luckily there has been a few small trading post and some nicer Indians or they would be walking bare foot. I am so thankful that no one has got seriously hurt or ill. When have met a lot of hostile Indians, however my husband has befriended every person that he has met. This is still true today. We have brought everything we own in four covered wagons, one for each family, which is pulled by two oxen a piece. We have five horses. We have lots of supplies and food, which we have used most of. We spent nearly out life savings to purchase all that we have. A thought my husband said we would not need any; I am glad that there was a little left over. We have not needed it but I am sure we will when we get there tomorrow. We are in an area were you can see for miles on end. It is the most breath-taking thing. I have never seen such beauty. I had only heard stories and it is everything that people said it would be, (National Park Service, 2104). The only thing that disrupts me from this beautiful view is the smell of the fir logs on the fire. The smell of the forest is unlike that the smell of the maple trees that littered the countryside in which we came. Even though it is tranquil and serene now it was not always like this. We have seen fighting and death, greed and vengeance. Most Indians do not like use moving a crossed their lands. We have been very luck thanks to my husband and his incredible charm. He could turn a raging buffalo in to a lovable family dog. He has used this so often that I think it is a god like ability. I will have to make sure he does not read my journal for I will never live this down. He would not be pleases with that comparison. Until next time, my dearest thoughts.
References
National Park Service. (March, 2104). History & Culture. Retrieved from www.nps.gov/oreg/history/culture/index.htm
Smith, G. (1998). Chronology of Oregon events. Retrieved from; http://gesswhoto.com/events.html
