Sacrifices and Hardships

On the trails, a family had many difficulties to endure. There were venomous rattlesnakes in these new areas. They usually kept the fires burning all night to ward off coyotes and other wild animals while they slept in their cold wagons or crammed tents. When and if they were traveling through the Badlands of Wyoming, water was difficult to find. There was also the possibility of your horse or ox running away because of fatigue or thirst.
Most of the Indian tribes they met were friendly, showing them where to find food and medicine. Other tribes had been attacked by the settlers before and had a premonition of what to expect. These tribes were violent towards the settlers, often the settlers would respond violently towards those attacks.
The people that were moving west would have to give up their churches and schools along with their possessions. Families traveling west sometimes had more than six children.
To see other sacrifices and hardships, there is a page about disease and medicine.

 

| Homestead Act | Packing |

| What were their lives like? | Disease and Medicine |

| Children | Settling in | The Donner Party |