Oregon Trail
Each year our Nebraska Studies take us along the Oregon Trail. The following diary entries were written by 2007-08 and2008-09 fourth grade "pioneers" from Northeast. Each student played a pioneer character and wrote accounts from their trip.
All the students joined "families" and assumed the role of adult or child. The diary entries will reflect the actions and emotions of their character as they reach different stops along the way.
ANNOUNCING THE MOVE TO OREGON Tennessee
Pa said we are moving to Oregon in two weeks. I am really excited about going to Oregon. I started to pack my family clothes and food to head to Missouri. That is where we start! We are going for more land for crops. Elizabeth Whitman, niece, April 15, 1851
Kentucky Today I announced that are going to Oregon in a week. Reason being is because there is no cattle on the farm. I can not wait to get a new farm in Oregon. We are going to be taking our covered wagon. Emma feels we should move. "It's best for the kids", she said. I agree with Emma. Charles Glenn Morse, pa, April 15, 1851
Tennessee I heard we were going to Oregon because we need new land for farming and for crops. We have to pack. I don't want to leave because my grandpa can't come. He is over 40. I's so sad. Tomorrow will be a terrible birthday. Emma Ann Bridger, daughter, April 15, 1851
Tennessee We were having dinner when we heard Pa say we are going to move to Oregon in 20 days! My family and I were all very shocked! I did not want to go. I think it is fine here in Tennessee. We have to go because we need better land and freedom. Mary Sanders, Aunt, April 15, 1851
Kentucky We are leaving for Oregon for adventure. My family is not at all sad about leaving our warm house. I made the decision for heading to Oregon, and I will stick with my word! One thing about leaving is to pack. We are prepared for blistered feet. James Kearney, Pa, April 15, 1851
PACK YOUR WAGONS
Independence, Missouri
Today, Wagonmaster Seth Adams told us we'd be "jumping off to Oregon" tomorrow. I feel very excited that we're going. The wagon might tip over, but I'll walk the whole time.....if I have to!
George Zieber , brother May 1, 1851
Tomorrow I leave on the Oregon Trail. It is going to take 2000 miles to get to Oregon, 6 months. We are leaving because the grass is turning green. We will be following lots of rivers. My aunt, brother, sister and me are going. I am excited and nervous. So is Stella. George is excited. Kathryn is scared.
Martha Zieber, daughter May 1, 1851
It's the end of the day. We are leaving for Oregon tomorrow. I visited my friends, Mary and Harriet. They each gave me homemade food. I cannot leave my friends behind. My pa's so obnoxious!
Eliza Wood, daughter May 1, 1851
Tomorrow, we are leaving for Oregon! It should be exciting! Ole Seth Adams said we are a little short on food, but I think we'll be okay. My family is not exactly organized. Uncle doesn't have as many mental attacks, as before. I think we are pretty well prepared. I hope we make it to Oregon. It is windy.
Darby Dean, child May 1, 1851
Tomorrow, we are going to Jump Off for our journey. It will take a long time because we have to go 2000 miles in six months. I hope we don't meet any mean Indians on our way. The weather should be nice while we are on our journey because we are leaving in the spring. Tomorrow we have to cross the Missouri River. I hope I can keep my rabbit, Billy.
Sara Hadley, daughter May 1, 1851
Tomorrow we are going on the Oregon Trail. I'm a bit scared, but I don't think my sons are. I hope it rains there, so we can get fresh water. Also, I hope we get to eat some buffalo on our 2000 mile trip to get there.
Eva Baker, Ma May 1, 1851
Buffalo Country
Well, we had bacon at daybreak. It was raw and gross. At noon I held class and did well for younger kids. At camp I was cookin' supper, and all of a sudden there was a dark cloud. I was scared!
Beth Jones, Ma May 25, 1851
Today, me and Beth went out for a walk around the camp. She said it was a very long trip, and that it's gonna be hard for the kids and us. Me and Adam went hunting after the walk. Found nothing. Claribelle was still playing
Robert Jones May 25, 1851
We were traveling up a hill, 1,2,3,4. Buffalo were popping up everywhere. When we got to the top of the hill, there were about 6000 buffalo! It was amazing! It was hard to go through them. I heard a story about a wagon that tipped over when hit by buffalo.
Earl Merrill May 25, 1851
My family and I were setting up camp. Then, all of a sudden......I waw an Indian . An then I started to scream and yell!
Sarah Johnson May 25, 1851
We've finally passed one point, but almost 100 more to go! It's daybreak. Our night watchers will fire guns. "Wake Up". It's time for my daily tasks. First, I have to carry water, help Ma milk the cow, bigin baking, and ready the sweet butter. Yes, I get to go to school today during nooning. I love school. I love to learn and see my teacher. Mama is teaching me to make food while traveling. At camp, we will make a circle with the wagons and sing songs. Then go to bed.
Kristen May Baker May 25, 1851
Ft. Kearney June 1, 1851
We're at Fort Kearny. I mailed a letter to my friends in Tenessey. We found out that 10,000 oxen came by already this year. 2000 emigrants, too. We were shocked!
Beth Jones Ma
Fort Kearny is amazing! We got this great new food today, called buffalo stew. Adam got sick, and I still have to pick up buffalo chips every day.
Clairabel Jones Daughter
We are in Fort Kearny, and Molly seems to enjoy it. I hope we get to camp here. I've heard that 1000 oxen might pass through each day! Fort Kearny also has a port office. I like Fort Kearny, so far.
Alice May Bridger Daughter
Ash Hollow June 22, 1851Pa announced we were getting to Ash Hollow. We would relax there. I feel so happy because I have so many blisters on my feet. I need a break!
Robert Kearney Son
Ash Hollow is the most beautiful place I've ever seen! Our animals are doing good after coming down Windlass Hill. Because of the fresh water, we are taking advantage of it. REST!
Isabella Kearney Ma
Right now we're past Ft. Kearny, heading for Ash Hollow. On the way Lyle got sick, cholera. Then died. Then Ed buried him. Finally , we got to Ash Hollow. It had had fresh clean water. On the hill it was hard, using the windlass made it tricky getting down there. Also, I was sad that Lyle died.
Eva Baker Ma
Courthouse and Jailhouse Rocks June 22, 1851Yes! We're here at Courhouse and Jailhaouse Rocks. I don't believe it! We're getting closer to Oregon! But, I feel really bad for Chris. He is sick with Scarlet Fever. I hope he gets better. Jailhouse Rock is huge. I tried to climb the rock but it was too hard. People were everywhere, making it hard to get closer to the rock. It took us 2 days to get all the way. This is fun!
Elizabeth Morse Daughter
Yesterday I started getting sick. I coughed up blood, also threw up. It was called scarlet fever. It was a bad experience. But I still saw Courhouse Rock. It was huge! I thought it was so cool. For me, it looked like a bigger courthouse than our in Kentucky. Ma and Pa won't let me climb it though because I'm sick. Did you know people walked 4-5 milwa to get a better look? We're 550 miles into the Trail.
Chris Morse Son
My family in passing Courhouse and Jailhouse Rocks, as we call it. Some people thought it looked like an irregular pyramid. But I disagreed. I think they look like normal rocks, but in a bigger version. But it's so beautiful a site!
Morse Hadley Pa
We were traveling on the oregon Trail when all of a sudden these two huge rocks appeared. They were about four hundred feet tall. I think those are the first two rocks we've seen along the Oregon Trail so far. I said to Ma and my daughter that one looked like a courhouse, and the othere loked like a jailhouse.
Earl Merrill Pa
Chimney Rock June 28, 1851
Today my family and I made it to Chimney Rock. It's a nice view, but I don't wanna climb it. I'm afraid of heights. You know I did carve my name in it. They say it looks like Pinnochio lying down, but I think it looks like a big point.
John Sanders Pa
Dang, that rock is huge! I am gonna call it Chimney Rock. It looks like a chimney. I heard that there's gold in California!!!! Almost carved meah name in it. Still, my brother's dead. I made a grave stone.
Mark Sanders Brother
Today we are at Chimney Rock. I am so tired/1 I was thinking about climbing Chimney Rock. But it is too tall and steep. I've heard about no one can climb higher than the base. I am having a very fun time on the Oregon Trail.
I've also heard that more people write about Chimney Rock than other places.
Laura Sanders Ma
Well, we're at Chimney Rock. Yippy! I am so tired of traveling. Oh, and last night my still obnoxious husband's bedpan tipped over on him. It was a mess! Not only that, a bear almost raided our oxen!
Frieda Wood Ma
Scottsbluff June 30, 1851I am excited to be Scotts Bluff. Liz was attacked by a swarm of crickets, or some bugs. I t was black. She has a big bite. Hunter killed a buffalo and John cried because he couldn't use the gun. It's been a rough day. I can't wait for supper because it's my birthday, and I get to open my one present! I am 12. Yay!
Grace Dean Daughter
I had a fun time in Scotts Bluff. But the oxen got crazy when a coyotey was chasing them away. Pa got them. Thank you Pa, or else we would have to get another one, or go without oxen.
Elizabeth Whitman Ma
We just got through Mitchell Pass. Some of our flour spilt passing over the rough rocks. Kristen's cat's tail got stuck in a wheel. That was noisey!
Theodore Baker Son
Oregon City September 26, 1851We
have just reached Oregon. It's been a long and hard trip, but I'm
very proud of mayself through Indian attacks, strong currents taking me
away, no food, and near death. I'm here! I'm alive! Our farm is
built and dinner is prepared. Our horses are in good shape, along with
others. Oreggon is great! I'm never leaving!
Kristen May Baker Sister
We
are finally there. All the sights were beautiful, and it was all done
so we could make a house. So we're protected from the coldness. I got
hurt from twisting my leg. Now we are protected. Now I can finally
sow, and the kids can play.
Catlen Baker Ma
Today
my family all got to Oregon City, but my whole family is almost dead.
I still can't believe that I'm not dead or paralyzed. I wish we all
just had stayed in Fort Kearney, and died slow.
Robert Jones Pa
Finally!
We're finished on the Oregon Trail. I'm glad that's over! I nearly
got assasinated by an Indian and broke three fingers on my left hand.
My little sister got sick,. My aunt go stampeded by some oxen. My big
sister, the luckiest one, got food from the Indians. But in the end we
all survived......even though there were some close ones.
George Zieber Son
We
finally made it! 2000 miles. We finally made it! I feel so proud
because we made it! But we have to make a house now. It's going to be
more hard work. We're almost out of food. Wendy go hurt when she
tripped over a log. Oh!
Mary Ann Merrill Ma
We
made it! We're here! We're in Oregon City! I'm so happy we made it!
Pa hasn't told us what we're doing yet, but I didn't think we would
make it. I thought we would be shot down by Indians, or lose our
wagon. And that's only some of the things I thought would happen to us!
Robert Kearney Pa
We
are happy at our new house in the beautiful valley. The Oregon Trail
has changed my life and my family. We love it here in Oregon. Even
though it was hard sometimes, we are glad we came.
Mary Rose Sanders Ma
We
finally made it to Oregon. Everyone is excited! We are going to have
a new life here. We thought we wouldn't make it, but we're here in
Oregon. Pa went to get firewood, real wood(not those terrible buffalo
chips). The mountains are huge! I am really proud of our family!
Wendy Merrill Daughter
|
