Celinda Hines - Death Be Repressed

Celinda Hines' large family began their trek west in 1853 from Oswego, New York with well equipped wagons.  Celinda wrote of her appreciation of nature's beauty when she noted, "Chimney Rock was awfully sublime by moonlight."  When Indians came to camp "to fish in exchange for clothing, we brought a number...they understood swap and no swap...they seemed anxious to get shirts and socks."

August 29, 1853 started pleasantly enough.  The family reached a ferry stop on the Sweetwater

River.  With cash low, the decided to cross the livestock and wagons without hiring a ferry master.  The men began to guide the animals across, but were caught in a sudden swift current.  While the women watched, Celinda's father was swept away and drowned.  The rest of the men didn't dare risk a rescue.  Celinda wrote, "an Indian chief whom Uncle Gus could talk in Chinook dialect with, took several of his men who were expert swimmers and divers and made every possible exertion to get the body, but were unsuccessful.  Uncle Gus swam in to get Pa's hat."

Celinda wrote that "with hearts overflowing with sorrow, we were under the necessity of pursuing our journey immediately, as there was no grass where we were."  She noted that the "wolves howled", no doubt in mournful sympathy.

Celinda consoled herself that her father was "yet living" and that he "would watch over me and continue to guide me".  A week later she was able once again to note the beauty of her surroundings, all mention of her grief gone.

Women's journals recorded incidents of death, but seldom the grief that followed.  They suppressed emotions that threatened self-control.  As a simple phrase in another woman's journal stated, "we must endure trials like good soldiers."  The trail was cruel as many families experienced.

Next time...The Upper Class Goes West
___________________________________

Today in Pioneer History:  On November 2,1912, the XIT Ranch of Texas, once among the largest ranches in the world, sells its last head of cattle.