From the pen of Mary Ann (Evans) Sherrill: a Wagon Train of Relatives

My father, Richard Evans, is in charge of our section of the wagon train - 14 wagons out of 110 wagons altogether. It's a well organized wagon train, with each section having a captain to keep people going, solve problems and keep the peace. The captains meet each day with the wagon master, who decides when and where we would halt, and for how long.

Every day of our trip is a delicate dance, balancing the need to get to Oregon before the snows hit the mountain passes, and not driving our oxen so hard they die and leave us stranded. Our  wagon master is doing a good job, and knows the trail - where to find good water, where to cross the rivers, and so on. There are people who grumble, who expected to go faster, or who think they can do a better job of leading the wagon train. The captain has the confidence of the majority, since he has been over the trail before, and has the maps and the scouts.

I'm proud of the way my mother quietly prepares a good meal every night, and of the way my brother Edward drives his team at a steady pace, not showing off, just keeping his place in the line. My uncle Jacob Thompson is like Edward - driving steady, taking good care of his oxen. Jacob's wife is an Evans - Rhoda Evans, 28 years old. They have a son, James, seven years old, and Rhoda's (cousin? sister?) Caroline Evans, age 16, with them.  I feel very secure and comfortable, traveling with my family all around me.

Antelope  - image courtesy of Orland Ned Eddins.  Click for larger image

In the past several weeks, our wagon train has forded so many tributaries of the Platte River, that I have lost count, but we are making good time over the prairie. We passed Scotts Bluff, and Fort Laramie, and last night we camped at Independence Rock. We can see the beautiful Wind River Mountain Range ahead.

This morning the men rode into camp after a short time hunting, and they brought back three antelope, seven grouse and a turkey. The meat is welcome for a change in diet, and to make our supplies in the wagons last longer. My husband James shot two of the antelope, but it will all be shared with our section, and if we have more than we can use, some of the meat will make a gift to another section that has too little.