~ Excerpts from a Pioneer Woman's Diary ~

trudging behind the loaded wagon
we have come about 12 miles in a heavy fog
the girls collected grass and weeds for a fire
camping in the open prairie without any wood
cooking the last of our meat before we retire

we passed many new graves before daylight
measles and cholera have taken so many lives

we have seen more and more Indians today
there is a river ahead, we pray it won't be long
hoping the Indians don't come our way
we need water, the animals are weak, ours is gone

it rained and snowed as we started this morning
we have a dangerous trip around the falls today

I carry my babe and take the lead
another child is in front of me
the other younger ones following
through snow, mud and water to my knees

my children gave out with cold and fatigue
the oxen had to carry them to camp, near a tree

I was so cold and numb, feet tired and sore
so many days on the trail, fatigue overtakes us all
there is not a dry thread on one of us
not even on the babe, and still the rains fall

by late fall we reached Portland, and it is still raining
found a small leaky concern with two other families

the men carried in my sick husband
he is burning with fever and has great pain
I have not undressed to lie down for six weeks
besides all of our sickness everything leaks
it seems like it will never stop, so much rain

today we buried my earthly companion, my spirit is low
now I know what none....but widows know

that is how comfortless with no money or friends
is that of a widow's fate
when left in a strange land
with seven children --- soon there will be eight

(c) January 24, 2005
by:  Carole Mathys