The Journey by Land:
The cost for a family of four was around $600 to $700. Groups organized and agreed to travel together. The journey was long and rough. Many travelers walked along side the wagon.
The Dangers:
Lack of water- many traveling west by land did not bring enough water. They could buy some by the glass along the trail but it cost them anywhere between $1 and $100.T hose with no money were left to die...
Weather Danger:
Travelers faced many problems with weather. Travelers could be faced with everything from extreme heat to extreme cold. The Donner Party, a well known group heading out west, was trapped in a snow storm. Most of the party died of starvation.
Sickness:
A cholera epidemic killed many people on the trail. Dysentery was introduced from drinking dirty water.
Supplies might include:
Cooking stove, cows, dried foods, coffee and tea, tools for mining,, vegetable and flower seeds, medicines, quilts, musical instruments, guns, ammunition, awls, bedding, waterproof rubber blankets to keep things dry, chains to hold wagons back on steep hills.
The cost for a family of four was around $600 to $700. Groups organized and agreed to travel together. The journey was long and rough. Many travelers walked along side the wagon.
The Dangers:
Lack of water- many traveling west by land did not bring enough water. They could buy some by the glass along the trail but it cost them anywhere between $1 and $100.T hose with no money were left to die...
Weather Danger:
Travelers faced many problems with weather. Travelers could be faced with everything from extreme heat to extreme cold. The Donner Party, a well known group heading out west, was trapped in a snow storm. Most of the party died of starvation.
Sickness:
A cholera epidemic killed many people on the trail. Dysentery was introduced from drinking dirty water.
Supplies might include:
Cooking stove, cows, dried foods, coffee and tea, tools for mining,, vegetable and flower seeds, medicines, quilts, musical instruments, guns, ammunition, awls, bedding, waterproof rubber blankets to keep things dry, chains to hold wagons back on steep hills.