Twentieth Century Club discusses wagon trains

by Lana Sue Jones        

The Twentieth Century Club met on Monday, Nov. 11, with our hostess Janet Connor. Serving as co-hostess was Evelyn  Boyle. Glenda Ware, president, called the meeting to order. The treasurer report was given and our donation to the Christmas Baskets presented. Georgia will host our Christmas meeting and entertainment will be decided on. The opinion was given by Jean Wernel about the Menendez brothers who killed their parents. Should they  be considered for release on good behavior or serve their complete sentences. The decision will  be made  by a judge.

The program was presented by Kay Sewell on wagon trains. There were three main trails and the first wagon train going  to Oregan was in 1843. The Larkin family sold their 10 acre farm borrowed $400 and headed west. The Homestead Act would give each parent 320 acres to prove up. They bought a Murphy wagon 4 feet by 11 feet with tools attached to the outside. They bought vinegar, sugar, 100 pounds of flour, coffee, 70 pounds of bacon, rice dried fruit, hard tack, and stored eggs in cornmeal.

Oxen pulled the wagon and had two milk cows. They had a rifle, pistol, and bullet-making supplies. Everyone mostly walked and the day started at 4 a.m. They made coffee and  b reakfast and started out at 7 a.m. The main dangers were cholera and dysentery. Unclean water caused the dysentery, so the Larkin family survived since they only drank coffee using boiled water. The motion of the wagon was their way to churn butter. The wagon trains helped open up the land in the new frontier.

Our Christmas meeting in December was hosted by Georgia Detwiler and co-hosted by Evelyn Boyle, Sharyl Henry, Kay Sewell, Sherry Wiseman, Jean Wernel, and Ruth Woody. We enjoyed our Christmas party in Georgia’s beautiful Christmas decorated home. The entertainment was provided by Terry Harris who played selections of Christmas music on his key board.