Some Interesting Statistics about Those Overland Pioneers

Certain Characteristics of the Overland Trail pioneers grouped them together.  You might even call them "prepared"...

1.  Most had already made one or more moves west for better land.

2.  Most were children of parents who had moved to new land.
3.  Most had owned land before, had cleared land before and were prepared to clear and own land again.
4.  Most were young - between 16-35 years of age.

The only difference in this new group were the distances they traveled.  Previous emigration had been in shorter distances: from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, to Ohio and Illinois.  The neighbors then had been within reach...this time the move was wider than the Atlantic Ocean and a whole lot more dangerous.

Next time...It was an emotional time for women...

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Today in Pioneer History:  One June 25, 1876, Indians defeat Custer at Little Big Horn.  Determined to resist the efforts of the U.S. Army to force them onto reservations, Indians under the leadership of  Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse wipe out Lieutenant Colonel George Custer and much of his 7th Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.