The following are actual entries from Helen Trail Journal in 1857:
"Such a mere handful of humanity, four men, four women, three young boys and three children - one mother's six month old baby. In no way could we turn for assistance."
August 7 - found marker of a new made grave and a bit of board with the inscription "this man was killed by Indians". 18 days since we have seen a wagon train.
August 23 - found the tain. No one can know the inexpressible joy and relief on seeing those old dust begrimed wagons. A baby was born pre-maturely tonight. Mother nursed the baby along with her own.
August 28 - Wilson's little baby was buried beside the road this morning before we started out.
No further Indian attacks although the fear persisted.
September - found body of a nude woman on the bank of the slough. A piece of hair rope was around her neck. From appearances it was thought she had been tortured by being drawn back and forth. Through the slough by the rope. Gave body best burial possible.
Helen and her family reached California in October 1857. The baby, now seven months old was so afraid of the indoors she would not sleep in a house. The sound of a ticking clock terrified her.
Some common stands run through all these women's journals. If you crossed the US by wagon train, you were never the same.
Next time...Catherine Bell
Monday, March 23, 2015
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