Westward Ho!

April 1, 1855

Wagonmistress

Arnold

Westward Ho!

Load those wagons........kiss the kin goodbye.........get ready for adventure, drama, comedy, and tragedy as we hit the Oregon Trail and head out west! Let’s join the Westward Ho! Wagon Train. As families we’ll make daily decisions that will influence our safe arrival in Oregon and journal as we go. To all the brave souls that join us... safe traveling.

The Welch FamilyZoie– Ma, Opal (29 years old)Matthew – Pa, Barnaby (32 years old)Libby – Mable (9 years old)??– Eli (11 years old)Holland– Grandpa, Franklin (62 years old)Katie-Cousin Francis (25 years old)

The Kincaid FamilyRiley– Ma, Bessie (31 years old)Jacob– Gilbert (11 years old)Hudson – Pa, Chester (31 years old)Elsa- Bernice (9 years old)Wes- Uncle Sherman (22 years old)

The Milligan FamilyObi–Grandpa Jasper (62 years old)Briana – Ma, Francis (24 years old)Anabelle- Aunt Elsie (28 years old)Cormac– Pa, Miles (26 years old)Alexander - Alfred (9 years old)Selma- Cousin Lucille (17 yearsold)

The Wallace FamilyAngela- Ma, Millie (29 years old)August- Marvin (8 years old)Ainsley– Cousin Helen (9 years old)Ethan- Pa, Conrad (33 years old)Reagan- Grandma Gladys (63 yearsold)

Prairie Schooner

Westward Ho!

Dear Pioneers, You've decided to embark on a wonderful, but hard adventure that will take you and your family across miles of dangerous, unfamiliar territory. You've gathered with other pioneers in Independence, Missouri. You have packed everything that will fit into your Prairie Schooner. You are as ready as you can be for the journey of nearly 2,000 miles. You will hear tales of great danger — dust and heat...scarce drinking water...poisonous snakes and wild animals... rivers... treacherous, narrow mountain passes...accidents and deadly disease...unfriendly Indians and bandits. But you know it is your destiny to settle in beautiful, rich Willamette Valley, Oregon where your dreams of a better life will come true. Yeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaa! - Head ‘em up – move ‘em out!!Your Leader,Wagonmistress Arnold