Transportation
mendonutah.net
"It was with high hopes and a few misgivings that we left our old home and friends in Jackson County, IA, and started with an emigrant wagon, ox-team and a supply of provisions for Calls's Grove,, now Algona, where we expexted to get some cheap land and make ourselves a home in a new country." Mrs. Joseph Thompson
Many settlers traveled across the plains in wagons pulled by oxen or horses. The pioneers that settled in Algona often arrived with ox driven wagons. Oxen traveled slower than horses but they didn't require as much feed. The settlers didn't have room for extra grain for the livestock in their already crowded wagons. Also, horses were more likely to run away or get stolen. Even if an ox did wander away it could be easily caught.
Once the settlers arrived in Algona they usually kept their oxen for field work or to pull plows or heavy logs. Oxen tended to be stronger than horses. But settlers living in Algona generally sold their oxen and purchased horses to ride or pull their buggies. The roads in Algona were dirt and when it rained they became very muddy. It was not unusual for horses or oxen to get stuck in the mud while pulling a buggy or wagon.
Many settlers traveled across the plains in wagons pulled by oxen or horses. The pioneers that settled in Algona often arrived with ox driven wagons. Oxen traveled slower than horses but they didn't require as much feed. The settlers didn't have room for extra grain for the livestock in their already crowded wagons. Also, horses were more likely to run away or get stolen. Even if an ox did wander away it could be easily caught.
Once the settlers arrived in Algona they usually kept their oxen for field work or to pull plows or heavy logs. Oxen tended to be stronger than horses. But settlers living in Algona generally sold their oxen and purchased horses to ride or pull their buggies. The roads in Algona were dirt and when it rained they became very muddy. It was not unusual for horses or oxen to get stuck in the mud while pulling a buggy or wagon.
Links:
This short video describes the dangers of traveling by covered wagon.
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