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Settling In
When the family reached its final destination, whether it was on the grasslands
of Idaho, the California coast, the plains of Montana or the deserts of Iowa, they would camp there and seclude
themselves from other families. They made sure that the place where they lived was so far from the next house that
smoke from their chimneys could not even be seen. Given the topography of the flatlands, those distances were often
great.
The family would build a crude log cabin or make an earth and sod house. The cabins were made from any trees the
man could cut down with his ax. If enough lumber for a wooden floor could not be found, the floor was earthen,
which turned to muck when it rained heavily.
The homes grew more permanent over time. The men would also raise cattle to eat or sell and burn the prairie grass
to start growing wheat or grain on the land. If many people settled this land, sometimes gristmills would open
and the pioneer would not have to turn the grain into flour by hand. After they became settled on their lands,
they stopped using spring water and dug wells. Around this area, a man's gun was his only protection and he felt
free to use it. Not only was it good for hunting, but also served as protection against wild animals and "savage
Indians". The pioneers were sometimes restless and ruthless, preferring to fight when a problem occurred than
to talk about it.
It was more of the woman's job to make the house a home. They would use whatever furniture they brought to decorate.
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