Wagon Trains
By: Lauren Carpenter
Wagons Ho!!!
You wouldn’t want to ride in a wagon train. It was a long dangerous trip. Many people died and sometimes food was scares. It was hard traveling by wagon but it was the cheapest way!
Crossing Rivers
It was very dangerous crossing rivers. A lot of people lost their lives. Wagon trains were made so they could be floated across rivers. Since it was so dangerous people would sell rafts so they could float their wagons across, but it cost a lot of money. If rivers were shallow enough they would just ride across.
Wagon Wheels
The wagons wheels were made from strong wood such as hickory, maple, or oak. The wheels were just wood with a metal rim around it. The wheels on the front the wagon are usually smaller than the wheels on the back. Since the wagons had no breaks they would use a metal chain to lock the wheels.
Animals
There were three choices of animal’s horses, oxen, and mules. Most agreed that horses were not strong enough to make it through the trip. Most people chose oxen because they cost less and they ate grass while mules ate grain. Most people rode horses beside the wagon trains. When they stopped they formed a circle with the wagon trains and kept the animals inside for safety.
How Fast They Travel
Wagon trains were very slow. They travel 2 miles per hour so they only travel about 10 miles a day and it was a 2000 mile drive. So it took them 5 to 6 months to get from Missouri to California.
The Ride
The wagon trains were not really fun to ride in because they had no springs so it was very bumpy. The only people that got to ride were the elderly, very small children, and pregnant women. Most people walked the whole 2000 miles.
Bull Whackers
Some people hired bull whackers. They would give instructions that the oxen would follow. If they said gee the oxen would turn right. If he said haw the oxen would turn left and if he said whoa they would stop. Bull whackers were expensive.
What They Bring
A normal family of 4 would bring 800 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of lard, 700 pounds of bacon, 200 pounds of beans, 100 pounds of fruit, 75 pounds of coffee, and 25 pounds of salt. Wagon trains also need to carry a shovel and cooking utensils. They needed blankets and supplies to sleep with during the night. Some people brought furniture, but it was usually abandon on the side of the rode.