The Western Experience
HIS/110
July 13, 2015

The Western Experience
On April 3, 1848, the whole family was busy buying and loading supplies for our long journey from Independence, Missouri to Willamette Valley, Oregon, across the Oregon Trail. Traveling in our wagon is Pa, Ma, Billy (14), Maggie (6), and I. My name is Elizabeth, everyone calls me Lizzie, I am 19, single, and ready for a new adventure. Oregon sounds like it will be exciting, but I will miss my friends and family we are leaving behind. Aunt Grace and Uncle Frank are traveling with us but in their own wagon. Pa is a good hunter so we do not take as much food as everyone else; he figures he will hunt along the way. The wagons are all ready and the wagon master has just shouted “Wagon’s Ho” so here we go.
Three days into our journey, it has been a quiet ride traveling over the plains of Missouri. We have met only a few of the other families. In the beginning, most of the families kept to themselves but as the journey continues people are venturing out and being neighborly. We have to corral our wagons at night to keep the livestock from wandering away. Looking around I see many campfires, children playing, women cooking, and the men take turns watching the camp. It is now April 9, 1848, and we have reached the Kansas River Crossing. I am a little scared because we have not crossed any water since we left and I am not sure how we are going to cross. As we entered the water, our wagon started to float. As we got deeper, the wagon started to lean to one side and we were afraid it was going to sink. Thank goodness we got it straight again and made it to the other side. We are wet and cold so Pa started a fire and went to hunt for meat.
On April 19, 1848, we traveled across the Big Blue River Crossing. We had no issues crossing this river. Along our way, we came across a few broken, abandoned wagons. Pa searched the wagon for any supplies that we could use. I feel bad for the family that had to leave it behind. We also came across a few grave stones, reminding us that bad things can happen. We are grateful for being together happy and healthy, so far. It has rained several times since we left Missouri but nothing major. Pa has kept his promise in keeping us with fresh meat for the table. On April 29, 1848, we reached Fort Kearney. There aren’t many soldiers here, about 100 or so, but there was a doctor and he was able to help the ones in need of his services.
After a couple of weeks we have managed to pass Chimney Rock. The families are becoming more social and often we cook together with talk with each other. Traveling on, we reached Fort Laramie on May 27, 1848. The walls seemed to be 20 foot tall, standing on top of a hill by the Laramie River. There were soldiers, fur traders, and even Indians that would come to trade for goods (Sheldon, N/A). We got the supplies and rest we needed to continue on. The mountains are beautiful and the sunsets are breath taking. Over time there are many people who have gotten sick with cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. Some have died from sickness and some have died from accidents along the way. There was one boy of about 8, he was playing in his wagon and fell out. The wheels of the wagon ran him over and killed him. It is terribly sad to watch a mother bury her child.
Along the trail from Fort Laramie to Independence Rock, we suffered very hot days and warm nights. The trail to South Pass led us to a split; one way going to Green River Crossing and the other heading to Fort Bridger. We chose the Green River Crossing. The river was about 400 feet across and 20 feet deep. We lost a wagon hitch but crossed without losing something more precious, our lives. I wish everyone was that lucky! Mr. and Mrs. Dickers were not as lucky, they got half way across when the oxen broke free of the wagon and Mr. and Mrs. Dickers were lost with their wagon. As we are passing through Soda Springs, there is a desire for bathing in the medicinal bubbly pools of water. Some of the people drank from the pools and became ill. On August 11, 1848, we arrive at Fort Hall. Ma and Pa were happy to be able to get supplies to finish our journey. Our journey continues, the weather is getting a little easier to handle and the landscapes we have seen since we left Missouri are beautiful. The trail led us to Snake River Crossing and the last river we would have to cross along the trail. The climate is changing and the heavy fogs are slowing us down. All the families are starting to worry about upcoming mountain winters.
September 19, 1848, we arrive at Fort Boise where families can seek medical attention. We have lost a few more days to heavy fog; Ma continues to try to keep our spirits positive. Although, everyone is worried about the winters that will come further down the trail. On October 7, 1848, we experienced our first snow on the trail. It was snowing heavily and vision was limited. We reached the Blue Mountains and we were informed of this being the last big hurdle to cross. The mountains were tough and we endured sickness, cold, and hunger. People were freezing to death and sickness was a constant worry. We reached The Dalles and Columbia River on November 10, 1848; everyone is relieved to know that we have almost made it to Oregon. We have finally arrived at Willamette Valley, Oregon. We are so excited and exhausted at the same time. Our families journey is over and now we are looking forward to a new life.

References
History Globe.com. (N/A). The Oregon Trail: Soda Springs. Retrieved from http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/sodasprings.htm
Sheldon, A. E. (N/A). History and Stories of Nebraska: Fort Laramie. Retrieved from http://www.old-times.com/oldtimenebraska/n-csnyder/nbstory/story40.html
The Oregon Trail. (N/A). Hardships. Retrieved from http://www.america101.us/trail/Hardships.html
Underwood, T. (N/A). The Oregon Trail. Retrieved from http://www.frontiertrails.com/oldwest/oregontrail.htm mrfurgione. (N/A). The Pioneer Women. Retrieved from http://www.mrfurgione.com/uploads/8/4/4/9/8449787the-pioneer-women.pdf