by Colleen Mart

Created on: April 14, 2010

Essays: Pioneers 

Following the Oregon Trail, that had been established by the Peoria Party in 1839, was a monumental feat for westward bound pioneers in the mid 1800s.  In 1841 the  Bartleson-Bidwell Party, made up of more than 60 men, women and children undertook the arduous trip to Oregon in their covered wagons, following each other like boxcars of a train.  Their mode of travel, coupled with the fact that the rugged trail was barely discernable over the mountains, made the journey nearly impossible. In fact, the original party split up with some electing to take a less difficult but longer route to Oregon.  They were only one of an unknown number of groups to travel this route. 

Traveling by wagon train was harsh in no uncertain terms.  The type of wagon pulled by animals was very important.  It could not be too heavy, like the Conestoga wagon, or the animals that pulled it would literally die in the yoke only to be left lying where they dropped dead.  A wagon with a waterproofed twill cover was the preferred vehicle.  Large enough to carry supplies and serve as transportation for those who became ill or injured along the way, strong and yet light enough for the animals to reasonably pull, the simple covered wagon was the best choice for the task.  

The choice of the team of animals that pulled the wagon was a matter of personal opinion.  Horses were generally considered too valuable and did not have the stamina of other draft animals, so were rarely used for pulling the wagons until the latter part of the century after the trails became easier to traverse.  Oxen were the most popular choice, not only for strength and stamina, but would also serve as food as a last resort.  Another popular choice to pull the wagon were teams of mules.  Though not as strong as oxen, mules had stamina, moved faster and could eat less nourishing plants.  The debate over whether oxen or mules were the best draft animals was common among the pioneers.    

Basic necessities such as food and water for both humans and animals was the most important cargo that the wagon would carry for a family.  Most family members walked alongside or perhaps rode mules and horses next to the wagons in the group.  There was no room for luxury items and many that were originally loaded on the wagon were thrown out along the way.  Only rarely did the owners of the wagon carry parts

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