Just who was that Johnny Appleseed Anyway?............
For forty-nine years, John Chapman ("Johnny Appleseed") roamed the American wilderness, devotedly planting apple trees. He created apple orchards in the wilderness of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana, spanning an estimated area of 100,000 square miles. Some of these trees are still bearing fruit after 150 years.
The reason for John's mission is unknown, although it's said he dreamed of a land covered with blossoming apple trees; of a land where no one went hungry because apples were plentiful.
John's gentleness and courage were legendary even in his own time. He walked alone in the wilderness, without guns or knife. He chopped down trees, and killed no animals. He was respected and appreciated by the native American tribes and new settlers alike.
John lived very simply. He slept outdoors, walked barefoot and ate berries and the like. He made his clothes from sacks and wore a tin pot for a hat (and to cook with). Reportedly, John made his drinking water in winter by melting snow with his feet. Even the people of his time were amazed by his endurance.
Yet after his death, it was discovered that John was not poor at all. He owned (and leased) considerable areas of land -- on which he planted apple trees, of course!
This background information courtesy of
"The One Room School Homepage"
