Between the Lines :

Covered Wagon Women…

Well, even though I usually don’t read nonfiction, I have been reading volume 9 of Covered Wagon Women.  It is fascinating. This multivolume set is made up of real diaries from women that made the trek west in a covered wagon.  The editor, Kenneth Holmes, compiled the diaries by time period and what trail they used. He also adds historical notes regarding places mentioned, etc.  I am in awe of these brave women and men.  There was much sickness and often a lack of clean water.  There was much peril, but the women in these diaries persevered.  How difficult to maintain a positive outlook on a trip that I imagine many of them didn’t even want to make…

In this volume, there is a list of medicines (and instructions) written by her family doctor for this woman to take with her on the trip.  It was surprising to me that there are several items we still use….

The most interesting diaries to me were by Ruth Shackleford.  In 1865, from May to November, her family traveled from Missouri to California via the Mormon Trail. Enroute, one of her children died. In less than three years, they return.  They came back, from April to September 1968, via a southern route through the desert to Texas.  Despite all the adversity, she stays upbeat, cares for others in the train, and bears her own maladies as they travel on.  I wonder if I could do the same…