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| Chapter 10 -St.Louis- The next big stop was St. Louis where we changed trains for North Salem. As the train pulled into the Union Station. we all excited jumps up and made a scramble Pa had us posted just what to do - So we kept pretty close to him a little crowdin' but we soon occupied two of those long seats with bid brass cuspidors at each end. A big sign hung over on the other side of waiting room "Bananas 5 cents a dozen" Pa looked up said come with me Jade and Harry we'll look around and see what we can find so in a few minutes here they come Pa carrying a whole stalk of bananas and Jace and Harry with 2 big bags of peanuts. Pa said Ma I want the children to have all the bananas and peamuts they can eat as they are only 5 cents a dozen I told the man to countem and leaveem right on the stem My! Ill never forget that treat all the bananas we could eat Pa said kids pile the peelins on those brass cans put the hulls inside and be sure you peel and hull fast as pir train will soon be on track we cleaned up everything whild Pa shoved the banana stalk under the seat All at once we looked up to see a big policman with a billy club standin there lookin right at us. He called to my dad said "Man what do you mean pilin those peelins on those spittoons you ain't leavin that here Just one little whistle is all we heard Pa had turned to give the signal it was shrill we were on our toes but scared The red cap then called out All points east train on track 2 My Pa had to think and talk fast. He sid to this big cop look'em over aint they the finest bunch o' kids yu ever saw? their all mine and a perfect set. Did you ever see a Jack rabbit look in that bird cage. Look at that big spider by that time the Policeman was peeking through those holes at that bib tranlular Pa kept on talkin and walkin we were all right at his heels For we never saw a policeman before and we didn't know what he might do. We soon got through the ticket gate and onto our train we left that Cop standin right side the gate he just didn't have time to make a disision as my dad kept talkin and movin fast well when we all got on and seated. Ma sid Pa do we have to stop at St. Louis on your way home? Pa said don't worry Hattie. I'll take care of everything we were nighty glad to get back on that train guess that policeman tho't just as well let that outfit get out of town Now we were headed for Salem and Jimtown our first stop was Salem where we got off When our train pulled into North Salem the whole town turned out to greet us as our Uncle John Lackey had circulated the news of Joe Cooks family comming to visit the kinfolks there. We all got lined up for the big parade up main street while Uncle John led the parade As we marched along he would yell out while everybody along the streets looked on "Extra! Extra! Joe Cook and Family are in town Come and see the biggest family ever rode on two full fares and two halfs See the "Rocky mountain canaries". "Two young mules" in a bird cage "Bissest spider in the world" Well se soon were placed around Aunt Lou's table cuttin up chicken with good old gravy and mashed potatoes pies cakes preserves They'ed say have some more if we's o bin horses we;d o foundered Now them were the good old days when kinfolks really injoyed seein you and when they made a visit the made a visit I mean visit we stayed in old Indiana 2 months we picked applies at our Uncle Marion Porters I never will forget the good apple butter Ma and Pa stirred at Aunt Harriets out in the uard in the big copper kettle over a log fire Pa shipped several gallons home and 2 barrells of those big red apples That trip really paid off- Now the homestead a Starting back home to Greeley. Chapter 11 Onto Arkansas Valley Ma and Pa felt kinda blue as they started home Pa said he realized a big undertaking but once he made his disision he never looked back as his next big project was the homestead in the Arkansas Valley. about 250 miles southeast of Greeley the homesteaders were rushing in from all parts of the country in covered wagons. As they had heard of the Fort Lyon canal going through and land would be under irrigation So one day Pa and Jason took off to the Arkansas Valley to take a homestead and prove it up. So he squatted on 350 acres bare prarie land just about 1/2 mile below the ditch as we called it they built a 2 room stone house while there with a clap board roof. As he discovered a stone quarry on his land above the canal - After finishing the stone claim shack as we called it they returned to Greeley to get the stuff and move us down there. Now thid was my first covered wagon tri[ you know I alus feel kinda sorry fer those who have missed the covered wagon days for one reason first youre pretty sure you are goin to git there but yoo never heard of traffic accidents. people lived. you don't know when no traffic jams then. Now days makes one appreciate the new cars and feel so thankfull for the fast way of traveling- In two weeks just think how much country you can get over how many beautiful places of interest you can see now. All I can say is God Bless America--Now my dad after returning to Greeley begin to get ready to make one more move a big undertaking for now. there were 10 of us and 2 extras one dozen This being My first covered wagon trip 56 years ago I was then 5 years old and will never forget the trip-- Chapter 12 Accross the Praries to old Fort Lyon Homestead In the spring I believe a bright sunny day. a covered wagon a team of white horses a spring fitted onto the wagon and a straw tick filled with oat straw just as comfortable as a pullman we younger ones rode upon this bed back of Ma and Pa who always occupied the front spring seat. The team were very gentle we called them Charlie and Henry. Charlie was very gentle and seemed to know us all by name always took the lead when Pa was in trouble or heavy loaded and I'll say on this trip he was overload for our covered wagon Pa had rigged up a trailor wagon loaded with young calves as Jace and Harry with the two extra men were driving a large herd of cattle some of these being mothers to the claves in the trailor wagon It was on the second or third day out in late afternoon as the sun was getting low and the older boys had gone ahead driving the cattle so as to find a lake or resivoir on the prarie. and give them water. Pa came to a deep creek which we had to ford on getting down closer and closer to the waters edge looked impossible to make it accross My dad never hesitated at anything never afraid said he wasn't afraid of the devil himself. Well the horses stopped didn't seem to want to cross this deep creek. Pa said Ma Now hold on here we go the front wheels let loose dropped straight down into the creek throwing dad head first over into the creek there poor mother sitting up there on that seat holding onto the baby with one hand and the seat with the other bracing herself against the dash board screaming and all of us kids in the back swinging like monkeys to the wagon bows. Now My dad come up spitting water still holding to the reins looking up at Ma said Is everybody safe? and are you all ready to ford this stream well he knew with that wagon load of calves drifting around he had to be quick so Old Carlie made a lunge and Henry knew it was up to them to get us accross safely so all at once they dug their hoofs into the bank on the other side and we were all safe once more. Now the sun was sinking below the hills. and Pa had to drive fast to find the herd as they were miles away. all at once Pa said Hattie! here's a good place to camp between these hills so I'll take old Charie and saddle him and try to find the boys with the herd so off he went leaving mother and we younger ones tp wait as it grew darker and as the sun had sunk below the hills there was a red glare of sunset just enough so we could see the cyotes and wolves running back and forth comming closer and closer poor mother wondering how she could get that big tent up and a big campfire going as this was the only way to ward off those wolves and keep them from killing the calves and eating them. |
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