#virtualoregontrail Gearing Up for the Journey

Crossing the plains to the Oregon Territory was a trip that required a lot of planning. 

A family could expect to leave Missouri in the early Spring, travel all Summer in the heat, and arrive in the fall when the temperatures dropped low overnight. They had to carry as many household belongings as they could, while also leaving space for enough food to make the trip. The wagons had to be watertight for river crossings, have well-oiled canvas tops to keep out the rain and required tools and spare parts for repairs along the way. Planning in advance was absolutely necessary to survival.

The wagons used for overland travel were different than the typical farm wagons the family already owned. This wagon would have to be strong enough to carry as much as 2500 pounds while climbing mountains. Typical farm wagons weren’t strong enough to carry that load or to withstand the temperature extremes. Sometimes they tried to modify their farm wagons, but the prevailing advice was to build a wagon from seasoned hardwood especially for the journey. The men spent the winter getting the wagons ready. They built them with flatbeds and straight sides a few feet high. The wagons were tarred to caulk the seams and make them watertight for fording streams and rivers. Spare parts were also made and fitted securely under the wagon bed in case they needed an axle, wheel, or tongue replaced along the way. The tops were heavily oiled canvas, sometimes a double thickness, to keep the family’s belongings dry in the rain.

Each wagon was usually pulled by one or more yoke of oxen, and at least four yokes of oxen were required for the trip. They rotated them because it was so hard on the animals. Sometimes mules were used, but the oxen were preferred as they were much stronger animals. The cost of a wagon and oxen was as much as $400.

Advice on how to equip the wagons came from those who had already made the trip. Letters from those earlier emigrants to family or friends and newspaper articles offered tips on how much food to bring and other items they should carry along. The following food stocks were recommended for each wagon:

• 200# flour
• 75# bacon
• 10# rice
• 5# coffee
• 25# sugar
• Tea
• Dried fruit
• Salt
• Cornmeal
• Vinegar

It was also advised to stock the wagons with a stove and basic kitchenware, including a kettle, a frying pan, a coffee pot, plates, cups, and utensils. Water barrels were needed. Grease buckets and heavy rope were also essential. They needed bedding and a tent. When they added rifles and ammunition, the total cost of provisions could run $500 to $1000 per wagon. Today that equates to $15,000.00 to $30,000.00. James M. Allen was planning to make the trip with his wife’s parents and siblings. They would leave Missouri with five wagons. Add that up.

http://moziru.com/explore/Us%20History%20clipart%20oregon%20trail/#go_post_
10362_us-history-clipart-oregon-trail-20.jpg

How did the average farmer manage to pay for the trip? Some saved money for years to be able to afford to leave. Multi-generational families often pooled resources and planned the trip together. The wagons and provisions were the largest chunks of the cost. There was also a fee to be paid to the guide and cash required for ferry crossings, trading post and trail purchases and initial costs once they reached their destination. To gather the necessary cash they liquidated property and sold household goods that they couldn’t carry with them on the trail. They sold extra livestock and they sold the farm.

In February of 1845, James was busy. He had only two more months before he and his family would join the others leaving with the Military Immigrant Train.