“Lost our way, drove 15 miles, made only 5 miles. Father Belshaw’s team
got mired twice — took 5 yoke of cattle to get them out, rained hard all
afternoon. Today had many hardships–teams mired down, a wagon
came uncoupled in a stream, bad roads, and a doctor was called for Mary
Martin, who was still very sick. ”
~Journal entry from Maria Dinwiddie, an early Pioneer bound
for the Oregon Territory, Spring 1853.
In the early spring of 1853, scores of pioneer families decided to leave their Indiana homesteads to join thousands of immigrants on the crowded trail to the Oregon Territory. Lured by the prospects of fertile land, lofty forests, lush meadows, sparkling springs and a healthy climate, many members of the Belshaw and Dinwiddie families joined wagon trains on the dangerous winding trail across prairies, deserts and mountains.
The journey in a covered wagon lasted for six months and was a severe test of strength, skill and endurance, with many weeks needed for careful planning. On their journey, members of the wagon train were attacked by Indians or suffered severely from cholera, smallpox and other illness contracted from contaminated water.
While the dream of a better life dominated their thoughts, the early pioneers bound for the Oregon Territory had no idea of the hardships and dangers that lay in wait for them on their journey. Even by today’s standards, the journey west was difficult. One in ten died along the way and wagons too numerous to count were destroyed by the terrain, thus forcing many to walk the entire 2,000 mile journey.
This photograph was taken along the Oregon Trail in central Nebraska.
Britt
Can’t even comprehend what life was like at that time, but your shot sure helps to spark some ideas. I don’t know how you find these spots–let alone the stories behind them.
I love how the wagon appears to be in the warmth of the sun…moving them forward to a better life. While those who were lost along the way still have a glimmer of light shining on them even though surrounded by the shadows of what could have been.