A Pioneer’s Life: Heading Out Goodbyes were never easy. Saying goodbye to your Ma and Pa was probably the hardest thing a girl had to do. Abigail didn’t know if she would ever see them alive again. It wasn’t easy travelling across country to see them, and the railroad system was just starting to place tracks in the local town not far from where her parents lived. Abby hoped that soon they would be able to travel to California by train to see them, especially when the new babe came. As Abby was in the home with her mother packing her personal keepsakes, such as her hand sewed lace certain and her beautiful fine china and silverware, her mother approached her with a lovely hand crafted box. Abigail wasnt sure what to think of it at first as shes never seen it before, that wasnt until her mother instructed her to open it. Inside the box was beautiful hand knitted baby items. Abigail hasnt seen anything like them before, and it caused her to gasp. They were so lovely and so delicate, and such gorgeous colors of pale greens, yellows and creme colored clothing. The two women met eyes and they both began to tear up. They were both overwhelmed with emotions of both happiness and sadness. They felt happiness of the love shared between mother and daughter but at the same time there was a mutual sadness at the fact that Abigails mother wouldnt be there for the birth of her child. Mother and daughter engulfed one another in a hug as they both wept. They shared a bond that even time and distance couldnt break. Once both woman pulled apart, they were both in a fit of giggles in laughter of how silly they both felt for feeling so emotional, but it made sense to the both and them and it was an understanding. Mary now felt comfortable with the fact of her only daughter moving away to California, she knew her daughter was happy. But she aknew her younger sister Eleanor was going also and she was there to guide Abigail in anything she may need. (Written by Danielle Campbell) James and Thomas, Abby’s father, got up at 3 am to hitch the wagon and feed to oxen before it was time to head out. They had gathered so many supplies it was hard to find room for everything. The wagon was built of solid maple and was fairly new. They were able to save up and get it at a good price from a rancher who was down on his luck and need fast cash. The cover for the wagon needed mending, but that was easily repaired with oil cloth and strong stitching at the wagon repair station in town. It took a bit of the savings, but it had to be done. Winter was harsh on the plains, and a hole in the canvas was a sure way to die of freeze or frostbite. The wagon was carrying 600 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of sugar, 250 pounds of dries nuts and berries; 150 pounds of coffee, utensils, housewares, winter clothing, thick wool blankets, iron cast pots and kettle’s; basically all the necessary item to survive the travel to California. Abigail insisted on taking her hope chest as well; there wasn’t much room left, but enough was found to accommodate the beautiful piece of hand-made cherry wood, hand carved with love, by her father. Inside, lined in silk, were all her treasures she had saved for her own home one day. Silver candle sticks (2), beautiful silver picture frame of etched rose pattern with wedding picture inside, her wedding dress, a complete service for eight bone China set her parents gave her for a wedding present; all of these were treasures that had to go; of course they also took items for protection and hunting; there was a sling shot, a rifle with ammo and a couple of fishing poles with nets. The last two items that made the wagon essentials were the hand-made cradle Thomas and James had worked together to finish. And Abby’s box of herbs and medical supplies she felt she would need in case of emergencies. By 3:30 am it was time to wake Andrew and feed him, and head out. They didn’t want to miss meeting up with the wagon train going through town. It was crucial to stay together and travel as a pack if they planned to succeed. Andrew was a joyful boy and gathered all his belongings and freshened up as he was told. He tried to stay out of the way as much as possible, playing around the wagon in excitement of the trip. His parents had not realized until it was too late that Andrew had piled all of his hand-made toys he had had since birth, in the back of the wagon, and there was quite a lot; too much in fact. There was no way to take all of them on the trip. James, took Andrew by the hand and led him to the old tree stump, were they use to sit and tell stories and whittle sticks together. James took Andrews chin and bringing in up so he was eye to eye, he told him a story of the frog who had too many things to carry home one day, and he started to sink on his lily pad. He had to make a wise decision to let go of some of his fine treasures that he truly loved, or he would drown; so he let go of all but two of his most favorite. He was able to reach his home safely. He missed his other treasures, but he knew he could get more one day; at least he had the two most important ones with him and he was safe; James asked Andrew to choose two of his favorite toys that he wanted to take on the trip. He said that he couldn’t take the rest because it would weigh the wagon down too much and not be safe and there was no more room. Andrew teared up, but like a good boy, he walked over to the wagon and chose his train set his grandfather made him, and his Kaleidoscope his father made. His father thought that those were the best out of all the gifts his son had and he was truly proud of his son. Thomas gathered his grandson’s toys and put them in the house, he planned to somehow get them to his grandson one day. With tears and hugs Abigail and James bid Thomas and Mary a final farewell as they head out to catch the wagon train. Andrew is sitting stoically between his parents on the front seat, clutching his kaleidoscope of colors in his hands, and waving with the other. Basic Wagon train items: The wagon started to fill up rather quickly. Well, its to be expected with 600 pounds of flour, 400 pounds of bacon, 200 pounds of lard, 100 pounds of sugar, and other food necessities such as coffee, corn meal, vinegar, plenty of baking soda, eggs, dried fruit, salt & pepper. Tools: axe and hammer, gun and gun powder, axe, shovel, ropes, and wagon tongue.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:32:23 +0000
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