So many wagon's gathered at St. Joseph Missouri To begin a new life out west. There were the families of bankers and tailors, and every conceivable trade. These people wanted to go west to capture their freedom and claim a parcel of land to farm. Most knew nothing about farming, but they thought they would learn.

They formed wagon trains for their protection against the wild savages that might attack them along the way. They found someone with experience to lead them across the high mountains and dry deserts. And to show them the way to stake their claim in the rich valley's of Oregon and California. They had heard of it, and they wanted so badly to travel there. But the trek was harder than they expected. There was the dust of the wagons and mules in front of them, and wild animals and snakes to contend with. Some of the women and children had to walk because their wasn't enough room in the wagon. The old folks had to ride in them. Even at that some of the old folks could not take the trip, they died along the way/. The people could not stop for long to bury their loved ones. They dug a shallow grave and said a short sermon and then they caught the rest of the wagon train.

Yes, it was hard on the people but they succeeded, Years later we have great cities in the west, and we owe it all to those pioneers on their way west.