Title Page: All of our names, The title (Oregon Trail) or (The Medical Journal), Mrs. Svetik, the hand in date, and a picture of the Oregon Trail.
Dont forget to also print out the work cited page
Also the map- "Make sure to include pictures organized and placed correctly along the trail with their descriptions. Find a place along the trail where an accident or illness could occur. Place an X on the trail and write a short description of what happened and how it was fixed." (This is what the assignment for the map)
Introduction- Everyone:
The journey west is 2000 miles we have to walk on foot. My family and I lived in Missouri. There’s four of us, my husband, two daughters, and I. We left Missouri because our crops went bad, and we couldn’t afford to stay where we were. The economy completely plummeted in to the ground, and we were living like dirt. We are expecting to be on the trail for 4 and a half to 5 months. If we make it in 5 months, I will considered it as making good time. We walk 1.5 to 6 miles a regular day, and on a good day they would travel 15 to 16 miles. But if it is muddy, we can only go 1 mile. Crossing a river with their wagon is very dangerous, and takes us about five days.
A lot of people are getting buried alive along the trail, because most watchers, the people who keep an eye on the sick, are in a hurry to move to the next person. The watchers dig the graves for the sick before the sick are dead. Some people are put in the graves before they took their last breath. Not only are a lot of people dying, but the trail is also very boring. The kids got so bored along the way that they use buffalo chips, which are dried cow poop, and use the buffalo chips as Frisbees.
Places that supply us travelers with items, like a wagon, draft animals, clothing, food, and camping supplies, are easily found at jumping off spots. Jumping off spots are places that are found almost everywhere, and the jumping off spots supply the pioneers with whatever they need. Fortunate enough, the early farmers and miners find it necessary to carry with them the tools of their craft- plows, harnesses, picks, pans, and shovels, so they don't need to buy building supplies at the jumping off spots.
The oxen are very useful, and were a great bargain.The animal we chose to bring along were oxen, because they can hold heavy loads, survive on eating the grass, and they were cheaper than mules. The kids are happy we brought the oxen along the trail, because they use buffalo chips, or oxen chips, to have fun. Us parents also use the oxen for food if we became desperate.
Guide- James Weston:
On the trail we had to face many hardships. One of the major hardships on the trail was trying to cross rivers; many have drown or lost important belongings. I would hire a ferry service to help people get across safely. The cost to ride a ferry is about $16. It was worth a pretty penny but, was worth the cost. Another hardship on the trail was weather. Several emigrants have been struck by lightning, wagons often could not withstand the weather and some were even injured in hailstorms. I would try my best to always be within a few miles of shelter, even if it extended the length of the trip. One other hardship was battling Cholera a disease in which you could go from healthy to dead in a few hours. I would guide my group in a fashion avoiding all exposure with disease. The trail (by foot) can be up to and in some cases over 2,000 miles which on average takes about 160 days! With my help i can get you there in just under 140 days. On the trip we only pass two major Indian tribes; the Cheyenne to the North, whom I am familiar and friendly with, and the Pawnee to the south, whom I have heard are peaceful and willing to trade. You will need purchase many items on the trail. Lucky for you I know all of the best places to get supplies. I know the best "jumping off spots" and as I said, I am friendly with the Cheyenee who can trade horses and food. If you travel with me this trip will be worry free.
Doctor- Katie Bagin:
The Oregon Trail is full of disease and illness. Cholera is the most common illness, and my best friend just died because of it. Cholera is a diarrhea illness that causes an infection in the intestine. We knew she had Cholera because she had watery diarrhea, leg cramps, and she couldn't hold her food down. Since we are running out of fresh water, we have to start drinking from the river, and the doctor said that she got Cholera from the dirty water. Know, because of my friend I only have water from the gathered rainfall on top of the wagon, or when we reach the top of a river on a mountain. The doctors tried everything they thought would cure her. They bled her with their butchers hand knife, put her in a freezing cold river then rapped her in ice cold towels, and tried to hypnotize her. My friend, Barbara, died only 2 days after the doctors started to treat her. My mom told me that the reason Barbara died was because she was weak, and Cholera was roaming in the air from the sick a few miles away. I know hate the night, because I am afraid I will either get Cholera, Mountain Fever, or the Measles from the dirty air.
The trail is full of death. The further we get, the more people die. The other day I was playing with my friends as we were walking along the trail, and my one friend, Steve, started to tell us a rumor. He said that a few miles back, this kid was running up a wagon ladder, and lost her balance. The girl then fell off the ladder and the big wagon wheel ran right over her head. Steve explained that she looked like one of our broken dolls we had back home.
Another one of me friends, John, told us about another death. John said that a wagon stopped for some rest, and were attacked by some Shynee Indians. The father, as brave as he was, jumped in front of the indians to fight them off. The leader of the Shynee tribe took out a gun a shot the father in the leg. John explained to us that a doctor came right away to help. The doctor first took a slim rood of metal and poked around to find the bullet. Once the doctor felt the bullet, he stuck his dirty hands inside the father, through the wound hole, and slowly pulled the bullet out. The dad died less then 24 hours later.
The weather is getting worse as the hours pass. Doctors are being called everywhere trying to help those that are being pelted by hail, or electrocuted by lightning. To top off the worst weather ever, the rain won't stop! Our friend's wagon broke because the rain was getting to heavy, and the wagon couldn't hold it. I really hope that doesn't happen to our wagon. I am know becoming afraid to walk near the wagon, because when the oxen and horses get mad, they kick and bite, and the rain upset animals. If anyone gets bitten or kicked by an oxen or a horse, they will die right away.
There are limited doctors on the trail, and one came by last night to check everyone out. When the doctor came to my wagon, he told my family that I had Scurvy. Scurvy is caused by an improper diet, so the doctor gave my a diet of only vegetables and fruits. Even though I am staving, I don't want to die, so I am stuck only eating the berries we find, and the frozen vegetables we brought. At least I don't have head and body lice like my sister. She is infected with dozens of 6 legged insects that attached themselves to her scalp and skin. She won't stop itching! My mom is helping her get better by giving her Mercury. She is looking better.
I am very sad today because my sister died. I don't know what happened. Everyone thought the Mercury was really working. The doctors now carry a butchers hand knife, a carpenters handsaw, and a shoemakers awl, because so many people are dying. Doctors are getting so desperate to cure their patients, that they are now shocking the sick. My dad said that no cure will work, because the sick got their illness from God, for doing something bad. Everybody keeps telling me different reasons for why the people I care about are flying, while I think the sick are dirty.
The other day a 4 year old girl was crossing a river with her family, and she fell out of the wagon. The parents could not reach her because she was dragged by the current. Since the rivers are infected with mosquitos, everyone thinks the 4 year old girl will have no chance of living, even if she doesn't drown. Malaria is received when infected mosquitos carry malaria, and then bite you. Once the mosquito bites you, the malaria travels through your body to your liver.
Photographer- Emma Lima
I know all of the landmarks and directions for the Oregon trail. Lots of the landmarks are located right on the edge of the Oregon trail. Here are some of them.Independence Missouri is a very popular trading post, which is how the place got so populated. Also Courthouse and Jailhouse rock is the first landmark that the pioneers had found heading west. And Chimney Rock is a landmark along the Oregon Trail. It also signaled the end of the prairies. Fort Laramie was a fort made by fur traders and used to be called Fort William in 1834, and is located where the North Platte and the Laramie rivers meet. And is now a popular historical site.Independence Rock is a huge rock on the Oregon Trail. It is made of granite, 1,900 feet long, 700 feet wide and 128 feet high.Fort Bridger is a site of a mountain man named Jim Bridger began a fort for trading post in 1842. It became one of the most important outfitting points for immigrants. Also a popular historical site. Fort Hall is located along the Snake River and was first a trading post. Also abandoned in 1863.Soda Springs is a natural bubbling pools made out of carbonated water. The bubbling is caused by volcanic activity. It was located along the trail right off of Fort Hall. Fort Hall is located along the Snake River and was first a trading post. Also abandoned in 1863.Fort Boise was a supply point along the Oregon Trail, until it was abandoned in 1854 due to Indian attacks and flooding. Whiteman Mission is a historical site of a family and 11 other people that were slain by Native Americans of Cayuse. The site commemorates the Whitmans and the role that they had played making the Oregon Trail.The Dalles was named after French fur trappers the meaning of gutter. It was also an old passage for immigrants. It is now a populated city.Oregon City was founded in 1842 and was the first territorial capitol in the state of Oregon. The city is now densely populated.
I also have to know the regions of Oregon Oregon's region is very mountainous with some plains. Also many forts are on the Oregon trail including Fort Hall, Fort Boise, Fort Bridger and Fort Laramie. Most of them are still visible on the trail today including, Fort Hall, Fort Boise, Fort Bridger and Fort Laramie are all still visible on the trail.
Also I keep track of what animals are in the area. Its very important to know so you don't get caught with the wrong animal. One of the animals found on the Oregon trail is the american Bison, also known as the Buffalo. The Bison s always came in herds. The male Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and the females usually half that size.There are also prairie dogs that live in small houses underground and are hunted by coyotes. Another pray of the coyote is a jackrabbit. Jackrabbits can jump far and high to avoid predators. Another predator is wolves. The wolves would trail on the bison herds, the wolves would pick the younger or weaker ones of the herd. The wolves would also go after the pronghorn herds, they are like antelopes. Another predator is the bear. There where black bears and grizzly bears. These bears where omnivores so they are not as deadly as other types of bears. They usually eat berries or bugs, but if something where to go in its path it would defiantly have it for lunch, they also catch and eat fish in the river. Another animal is the mountain lion. There is also a fair amount of snakes in the mountains including the garter snake, the western rattlesnake, they go in holes during the winter to hibernate.
And the last thing that I have to know is how the weather will be. Oregon does not have the best weather.The weather was mostly horrible. Usually due to to much heat, blizzards, rain, to much cold or any type of storm they may encounter.
Wagon Boss - Charlotte Smith
As the wagon boss I had to pack for about 5 months, I had to bring supplies like a carpentry kit, a dresser, a trunk, a butter churn, a washboard, a sewing kit, a sickle, that we wont even use until we reach Oregon! I’ve decided to use the good ol’ Conestoga Wagon. Even though it’s the most expensive wagon, it can hold 6 tons of freight! Plus I can just have a oxen pull it to make it less expensive since they are cheaper, and can survive on grass, don’t need much care, and are less likely to be stolen. Some other choices are Mules, and Horses. I didn’t pick them because mules have the tendency to sprint away, and horses are expensive, and are more likely to get stolen.
As we ride, emigrants will most likely leave some items behind, like unnecessary items, garbage, dead stuff. They will get heavy, and people will realize they don’t need them. I hope the doctor brings red wine, because I hear it has saved many lives! If we run out of supplys I can just buy some more at jumping off spots, I decided to not buy them seeds, because these customers said they were just going to bring their next years crop from their farm, which I thought was a great way to save money!ye
SUPPLY LIST
800 pounds of flour
400 pounds of pilot bread
800 pounds of bacon
40 pounds of rice
20 pounds of coffee
8 pounds of tea
100 pounds of sugar
96 pounds of corn meal
4 small kegs of vinegar (100 pounds)
40 pounds of salt
120 pounds of beans
228 pounds of dried fruit
5 pairs of wool shirt/pants (40 lbs
30 pairs of boots (^)
90 pairs of womans shoes (^)
10 wool dresses (^)
4 rain ponchos 1 lb
2 hats 4 lb
6 bonnets 10 lb
8 blankets 20 lb
8 pillows 15 lb
conestoga wagon (can hold 6 tons)
axle (on wagon)
ox bow (on wagon)
2 oxen (carries wagon)
whip 8oz
wagon cover (on wagon)
tent 3lbs
dutch oven 70 lbs
knife/whetstone 5 lbs
ax 15 lbs
gutta-percha bucke 3 lbs
cooking kit 20 lbs
rifle 10 lbs
lead 20 pounds
bullet mold 5 pounds
gun powder 5 lbs
5 boxes of matches 1 lbs
25 pounds of soap/candles
100 ft of rope 3 lbs
4 stakes 2 pounds
carpentry kit 20 pounds
dresser 10 pounds
trunk 8 pounds
churn 40 punds
washboard 1 lbs
sewing kit 2 lbs
sickle 3 lsb
barrel of water (350 pounds) collected before they left
animal trap 15 lb
total price:
roughly about $997
Dont forget to also print out the work cited page
Also the map- "Make sure to include pictures organized and placed correctly along the trail with their descriptions. Find a place along the trail where an accident or illness could occur. Place an X on the trail and write a short description of what happened and how it was fixed." (This is what the assignment for the map)
Introduction- Everyone:
The journey west is 2000 miles we have to walk on foot. My family and I lived in Missouri. There’s four of us, my husband, two daughters, and I. We left Missouri because our crops went bad, and we couldn’t afford to stay where we were. The economy completely plummeted in to the ground, and we were living like dirt. We are expecting to be on the trail for 4 and a half to 5 months. If we make it in 5 months, I will considered it as making good time. We walk 1.5 to 6 miles a regular day, and on a good day they would travel 15 to 16 miles. But if it is muddy, we can only go 1 mile. Crossing a river with their wagon is very dangerous, and takes us about five days.
A lot of people are getting buried alive along the trail, because most watchers, the people who keep an eye on the sick, are in a hurry to move to the next person. The watchers dig the graves for the sick before the sick are dead. Some people are put in the graves before they took their last breath. Not only are a lot of people dying, but the trail is also very boring. The kids got so bored along the way that they use buffalo chips, which are dried cow poop, and use the buffalo chips as Frisbees.
Places that supply us travelers with items, like a wagon, draft animals, clothing, food, and camping supplies, are easily found at jumping off spots. Jumping off spots are places that are found almost everywhere, and the jumping off spots supply the pioneers with whatever they need. Fortunate enough, the early farmers and miners find it necessary to carry with them the tools of their craft- plows, harnesses, picks, pans, and shovels, so they don't need to buy building supplies at the jumping off spots.
The oxen are very useful, and were a great bargain.The animal we chose to bring along were oxen, because they can hold heavy loads, survive on eating the grass, and they were cheaper than mules. The kids are happy we brought the oxen along the trail, because they use buffalo chips, or oxen chips, to have fun. Us parents also use the oxen for food if we became desperate.
Guide- James Weston:
On the trail we had to face many hardships. One of the major hardships on the trail was trying to cross rivers; many have drown or lost important belongings. I would hire a ferry service to help people get across safely. The cost to ride a ferry is about $16. It was worth a pretty penny but, was worth the cost. Another hardship on the trail was weather. Several emigrants have been struck by lightning, wagons often could not withstand the weather and some were even injured in hailstorms. I would try my best to always be within a few miles of shelter, even if it extended the length of the trip. One other hardship was battling Cholera a disease in which you could go from healthy to dead in a few hours. I would guide my group in a fashion avoiding all exposure with disease. The trail (by foot) can be up to and in some cases over 2,000 miles which on average takes about 160 days! With my help i can get you there in just under 140 days. On the trip we only pass two major Indian tribes; the Cheyenne to the North, whom I am familiar and friendly with, and the Pawnee to the south, whom I have heard are peaceful and willing to trade. You will need purchase many items on the trail. Lucky for you I know all of the best places to get supplies. I know the best "jumping off spots" and as I said, I am friendly with the Cheyenee who can trade horses and food. If you travel with me this trip will be worry free.
Doctor- Katie Bagin:
The Oregon Trail is full of disease and illness. Cholera is the most common illness, and my best friend just died because of it. Cholera is a diarrhea illness that causes an infection in the intestine. We knew she had Cholera because she had watery diarrhea, leg cramps, and she couldn't hold her food down. Since we are running out of fresh water, we have to start drinking from the river, and the doctor said that she got Cholera from the dirty water. Know, because of my friend I only have water from the gathered rainfall on top of the wagon, or when we reach the top of a river on a mountain. The doctors tried everything they thought would cure her. They bled her with their butchers hand knife, put her in a freezing cold river then rapped her in ice cold towels, and tried to hypnotize her. My friend, Barbara, died only 2 days after the doctors started to treat her. My mom told me that the reason Barbara died was because she was weak, and Cholera was roaming in the air from the sick a few miles away. I know hate the night, because I am afraid I will either get Cholera, Mountain Fever, or the Measles from the dirty air.
The trail is full of death. The further we get, the more people die. The other day I was playing with my friends as we were walking along the trail, and my one friend, Steve, started to tell us a rumor. He said that a few miles back, this kid was running up a wagon ladder, and lost her balance. The girl then fell off the ladder and the big wagon wheel ran right over her head. Steve explained that she looked like one of our broken dolls we had back home.
Another one of me friends, John, told us about another death. John said that a wagon stopped for some rest, and were attacked by some Shynee Indians. The father, as brave as he was, jumped in front of the indians to fight them off. The leader of the Shynee tribe took out a gun a shot the father in the leg. John explained to us that a doctor came right away to help. The doctor first took a slim rood of metal and poked around to find the bullet. Once the doctor felt the bullet, he stuck his dirty hands inside the father, through the wound hole, and slowly pulled the bullet out. The dad died less then 24 hours later.
The weather is getting worse as the hours pass. Doctors are being called everywhere trying to help those that are being pelted by hail, or electrocuted by lightning. To top off the worst weather ever, the rain won't stop! Our friend's wagon broke because the rain was getting to heavy, and the wagon couldn't hold it. I really hope that doesn't happen to our wagon. I am know becoming afraid to walk near the wagon, because when the oxen and horses get mad, they kick and bite, and the rain upset animals. If anyone gets bitten or kicked by an oxen or a horse, they will die right away.
There are limited doctors on the trail, and one came by last night to check everyone out. When the doctor came to my wagon, he told my family that I had Scurvy. Scurvy is caused by an improper diet, so the doctor gave my a diet of only vegetables and fruits. Even though I am staving, I don't want to die, so I am stuck only eating the berries we find, and the frozen vegetables we brought. At least I don't have head and body lice like my sister. She is infected with dozens of 6 legged insects that attached themselves to her scalp and skin. She won't stop itching! My mom is helping her get better by giving her Mercury. She is looking better.
I am very sad today because my sister died. I don't know what happened. Everyone thought the Mercury was really working. The doctors now carry a butchers hand knife, a carpenters handsaw, and a shoemakers awl, because so many people are dying. Doctors are getting so desperate to cure their patients, that they are now shocking the sick. My dad said that no cure will work, because the sick got their illness from God, for doing something bad. Everybody keeps telling me different reasons for why the people I care about are flying, while I think the sick are dirty.
The other day a 4 year old girl was crossing a river with her family, and she fell out of the wagon. The parents could not reach her because she was dragged by the current. Since the rivers are infected with mosquitos, everyone thinks the 4 year old girl will have no chance of living, even if she doesn't drown. Malaria is received when infected mosquitos carry malaria, and then bite you. Once the mosquito bites you, the malaria travels through your body to your liver.
Photographer- Emma Lima
I know all of the landmarks and directions for the Oregon trail. Lots of the landmarks are located right on the edge of the Oregon trail. Here are some of them.Independence Missouri is a very popular trading post, which is how the place got so populated. Also Courthouse and Jailhouse rock is the first landmark that the pioneers had found heading west. And Chimney Rock is a landmark along the Oregon Trail. It also signaled the end of the prairies. Fort Laramie was a fort made by fur traders and used to be called Fort William in 1834, and is located where the North Platte and the Laramie rivers meet. And is now a popular historical site.Independence Rock is a huge rock on the Oregon Trail. It is made of granite, 1,900 feet long, 700 feet wide and 128 feet high.Fort Bridger is a site of a mountain man named Jim Bridger began a fort for trading post in 1842. It became one of the most important outfitting points for immigrants. Also a popular historical site. Fort Hall is located along the Snake River and was first a trading post. Also abandoned in 1863.Soda Springs is a natural bubbling pools made out of carbonated water. The bubbling is caused by volcanic activity. It was located along the trail right off of Fort Hall. Fort Hall is located along the Snake River and was first a trading post. Also abandoned in 1863.Fort Boise was a supply point along the Oregon Trail, until it was abandoned in 1854 due to Indian attacks and flooding. Whiteman Mission is a historical site of a family and 11 other people that were slain by Native Americans of Cayuse. The site commemorates the Whitmans and the role that they had played making the Oregon Trail.The Dalles was named after French fur trappers the meaning of gutter. It was also an old passage for immigrants. It is now a populated city.Oregon City was founded in 1842 and was the first territorial capitol in the state of Oregon. The city is now densely populated.
I also have to know the regions of Oregon Oregon's region is very mountainous with some plains. Also many forts are on the Oregon trail including Fort Hall, Fort Boise, Fort Bridger and Fort Laramie. Most of them are still visible on the trail today including, Fort Hall, Fort Boise, Fort Bridger and Fort Laramie are all still visible on the trail.
Also I keep track of what animals are in the area. Its very important to know so you don't get caught with the wrong animal. One of the animals found on the Oregon trail is the american Bison, also known as the Buffalo. The Bison s always came in herds. The male Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and the females usually half that size.There are also prairie dogs that live in small houses underground and are hunted by coyotes. Another pray of the coyote is a jackrabbit. Jackrabbits can jump far and high to avoid predators. Another predator is wolves. The wolves would trail on the bison herds, the wolves would pick the younger or weaker ones of the herd. The wolves would also go after the pronghorn herds, they are like antelopes. Another predator is the bear. There where black bears and grizzly bears. These bears where omnivores so they are not as deadly as other types of bears. They usually eat berries or bugs, but if something where to go in its path it would defiantly have it for lunch, they also catch and eat fish in the river. Another animal is the mountain lion. There is also a fair amount of snakes in the mountains including the garter snake, the western rattlesnake, they go in holes during the winter to hibernate.
And the last thing that I have to know is how the weather will be. Oregon does not have the best weather.The weather was mostly horrible. Usually due to to much heat, blizzards, rain, to much cold or any type of storm they may encounter.
Wagon Boss - Charlotte Smith
As the wagon boss I had to pack for about 5 months, I had to bring supplies like a carpentry kit, a dresser, a trunk, a butter churn, a washboard, a sewing kit, a sickle, that we wont even use until we reach Oregon! I’ve decided to use the good ol’ Conestoga Wagon. Even though it’s the most expensive wagon, it can hold 6 tons of freight! Plus I can just have a oxen pull it to make it less expensive since they are cheaper, and can survive on grass, don’t need much care, and are less likely to be stolen. Some other choices are Mules, and Horses. I didn’t pick them because mules have the tendency to sprint away, and horses are expensive, and are more likely to get stolen.
As we ride, emigrants will most likely leave some items behind, like unnecessary items, garbage, dead stuff. They will get heavy, and people will realize they don’t need them. I hope the doctor brings red wine, because I hear it has saved many lives! If we run out of supplys I can just buy some more at jumping off spots, I decided to not buy them seeds, because these customers said they were just going to bring their next years crop from their farm, which I thought was a great way to save money!ye
SUPPLY LIST
800 pounds of flour
400 pounds of pilot bread
800 pounds of bacon
40 pounds of rice
20 pounds of coffee
8 pounds of tea
100 pounds of sugar
96 pounds of corn meal
4 small kegs of vinegar (100 pounds)
40 pounds of salt
120 pounds of beans
228 pounds of dried fruit
5 pairs of wool shirt/pants (40 lbs
30 pairs of boots (^)
90 pairs of womans shoes (^)
10 wool dresses (^)
4 rain ponchos 1 lb
2 hats 4 lb
6 bonnets 10 lb
8 blankets 20 lb
8 pillows 15 lb
conestoga wagon (can hold 6 tons)
axle (on wagon)
ox bow (on wagon)
2 oxen (carries wagon)
whip 8oz
wagon cover (on wagon)
tent 3lbs
dutch oven 70 lbs
knife/whetstone 5 lbs
ax 15 lbs
gutta-percha bucke 3 lbs
cooking kit 20 lbs
rifle 10 lbs
lead 20 pounds
bullet mold 5 pounds
gun powder 5 lbs
5 boxes of matches 1 lbs
25 pounds of soap/candles
100 ft of rope 3 lbs
4 stakes 2 pounds
carpentry kit 20 pounds
dresser 10 pounds
trunk 8 pounds
churn 40 punds
washboard 1 lbs
sewing kit 2 lbs
sickle 3 lsb
barrel of water (350 pounds) collected before they left
animal trap 15 lb
total price:
roughly about $997