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Authors: Mona Hodgson
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belonged to a bear-sized man.
The klatsches dispersed and folks scurried to fill nearly every bench seat in the room.
“Let us commence this meeting for the assembly of a train headed west.” As the crowd quieted, Garrett looked everywhere but at her. “This expedition brings with it hardship and heartbreak. Only the most committed among you should consider making the passage.” Yet another side to this Confederate-soldier-turned-wagon-train-leader. In charge. Confident. “Everyone will be expected to grant aid and support to each of the members of this undertaking, including tending the sick and burying the dead.”
A woman behind her gasped.
“I have printed lists of required provisions and equipment for each family present.” He waved the stack of paper. “You will be expected, at a minimum, to procure these provisions. I will leave several copies of the list at Heinrich’s Dry Goods store. Johann Heinrich, the shopkeeper, will be ordering in anticipation of your need.”
“You got wheel grease on your list?” The question came from the back of the room.
Caroline looked that direction. Mrs. Kamden waved at her from beside the man, apparently her wheelwright son.
“I do. With instructions and information on taking care of wagons and wagon wheels on the trail.” Garrett raked the dark blond waves above his ear. “Furthermore, my men and I will inspect every rig for its worthiness for the trip. Have the doctor check your livestock and your team.” Men mumbled while Garrett ran his finger down the stack of papers in his hand. “Be sure to have a Last Will and Testament done and filed at the state capitol.”
Caroline’s breath caught in the collective gasp that rippled through the room. Living in the same house with a man who didn’t want her there suddenly seemed much less of a hardship.
A woman in the next row tugged her husband’s coat sleeve while rattling off in French. Three young boys and a girl about Hattie’s age squirmed beside her. “Mister Cowlishaw, your gloom and doom is scarin’ my wife, it is.” He stood, pulling a beret from his head. “I seen there’s miles and miles of fertile land out west. Land o’ plenty. That’s why we go.”
“Any of you interested in joining the Boone’s Lick Wagon Train Company need to know you’re not signing up for a holiday or a picnic.” Garrett seemed to shift his focus to the fresh-faced, well-scrubbed children scattered in the crowd. “The journey is hard on families.”
Another man stood. “Others have made the trip, and they’re picking up gold nuggets right off the ground!”
“I don’t deny there’s wide open spaces and opportunities in the west for farming, cattle ranching, and even gold prospecting, but you take a hundred folks—men, women, and children—two thousand miles on foot through hostile, untamed country, some … many will suffer illness. There will be deaths. I’ve seen the markers … fresh-dug graves.” He paused until the murmurs quieted. “I will be regarded as captain of this expedition and my decisions and guidance will be for the benefit of the entire assembly. My men here”—he regarded the five men flanking him—“will provide assistance where needed. But we will all be expected to assist one another in this endeavor. Undue burdens cannot be tolerated, as they will be a burden to all. Heavy objects such as pianos are best sold before departure.”
“What about bathtubs?” The bearded man seated across the table from Caroline looked at his wife, now the color of Christmas bows.
“No bathtubs. No kitchen cupboards. Not if you want your mules and oxen to survive. Not to mention the wagons. My men’ll bring the provisions lists to the tables.” The capable captain dispersed the lists among his men. “There’s a roster here on the table.” He pointed to an inkwell and paper. “You plan on going with us, you’ll need to sign up on the roster.”
Caroline watched Robert Hughes saunter
The klatsches dispersed and folks scurried to fill nearly every bench seat in the room.
“Let us commence this meeting for the assembly of a train headed west.” As the crowd quieted, Garrett looked everywhere but at her. “This expedition brings with it hardship and heartbreak. Only the most committed among you should consider making the passage.” Yet another side to this Confederate-soldier-turned-wagon-train-leader. In charge. Confident. “Everyone will be expected to grant aid and support to each of the members of this undertaking, including tending the sick and burying the dead.”
A woman behind her gasped.
“I have printed lists of required provisions and equipment for each family present.” He waved the stack of paper. “You will be expected, at a minimum, to procure these provisions. I will leave several copies of the list at Heinrich’s Dry Goods store. Johann Heinrich, the shopkeeper, will be ordering in anticipation of your need.”
“You got wheel grease on your list?” The question came from the back of the room.
Caroline looked that direction. Mrs. Kamden waved at her from beside the man, apparently her wheelwright son.
“I do. With instructions and information on taking care of wagons and wagon wheels on the trail.” Garrett raked the dark blond waves above his ear. “Furthermore, my men and I will inspect every rig for its worthiness for the trip. Have the doctor check your livestock and your team.” Men mumbled while Garrett ran his finger down the stack of papers in his hand. “Be sure to have a Last Will and Testament done and filed at the state capitol.”
Caroline’s breath caught in the collective gasp that rippled through the room. Living in the same house with a man who didn’t want her there suddenly seemed much less of a hardship.
A woman in the next row tugged her husband’s coat sleeve while rattling off in French. Three young boys and a girl about Hattie’s age squirmed beside her. “Mister Cowlishaw, your gloom and doom is scarin’ my wife, it is.” He stood, pulling a beret from his head. “I seen there’s miles and miles of fertile land out west. Land o’ plenty. That’s why we go.”
“Any of you interested in joining the Boone’s Lick Wagon Train Company need to know you’re not signing up for a holiday or a picnic.” Garrett seemed to shift his focus to the fresh-faced, well-scrubbed children scattered in the crowd. “The journey is hard on families.”
Another man stood. “Others have made the trip, and they’re picking up gold nuggets right off the ground!”
“I don’t deny there’s wide open spaces and opportunities in the west for farming, cattle ranching, and even gold prospecting, but you take a hundred folks—men, women, and children—two thousand miles on foot through hostile, untamed country, some … many will suffer illness. There will be deaths. I’ve seen the markers … fresh-dug graves.” He paused until the murmurs quieted. “I will be regarded as captain of this expedition and my decisions and guidance will be for the benefit of the entire assembly. My men here”—he regarded the five men flanking him—“will provide assistance where needed. But we will all be expected to assist one another in this endeavor. Undue burdens cannot be tolerated, as they will be a burden to all. Heavy objects such as pianos are best sold before departure.”
“What about bathtubs?” The bearded man seated across the table from Caroline looked at his wife, now the color of Christmas bows.
“No bathtubs. No kitchen cupboards. Not if you want your mules and oxen to survive. Not to mention the wagons. My men’ll bring the provisions lists to the tables.” The capable captain dispersed the lists among his men. “There’s a roster here on the table.” He pointed to an inkwell and paper. “You plan on going with us, you’ll need to sign up on the roster.”
Caroline watched Robert Hughes saunter
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