an women's historical fiction currently being written by Clara Niles Dorsey
The reading of the Will said it all. What's seventeen year old Lisasbeth Franklin to do now? Lisabeth returns to her hometown of Silver City, Missouri in 1854 to find her world turned upside down. Now alone, her future is unsure. She has just graduated from finishing school in Boston....has a mind of her own...has no intention of marrying...and has hopes of becoming a lawyer in her father's law firm...or does she? Everything changes when she meets and weds handsome, dashing Blake Winslow. She finds happiness she didn't know existed but is soon thrown into situations she is ill prepared for when Blake insists they join a wagon train headed for Oregon. Her faith is stretched and strengthened as she learns the true meaning of love.
Partial Map of the Oregon Trail
Facts about the Oregon Trail:
* Began in St. Joseph or Independence, Missouri and ended in the Willamette Valley, Oregon territory
* 2000 miles long and took from 4 to 6 months to travel
* Consisted of varied terrain, from the rolling land of the Great Plains to desert to steep mountains and dangerous rivers of rocks, swiftly running currents or quicksand
* Both friendly and hostile Indians claimed the land from the beginning of time and either allowed or resented the intrusion of the pioneers
* The United States Cavalry provided the only protection and sparse safe havens
* Weather conditions were harsh and unpredictable
* Many people were ill prepared for the journey and perished along the way
* Hunger, malaria, dysentery, cholera, bickering, wild animals and Indian raids were constant threats
* The pioneers came for varied reasons from many different countries which gave the nickname 'the Emigrant Trail' to the Oregon Trail.
* The pioneers traveled in covered wagons, carts, farm wagons; rode horses or walked
* Many farm animals died along the way
* The pioneers foraged for food when their supplies were low; pronghorn deer, rabbits, grouse, fish, buffalo, elk, etc.
* Many felt hopeless while others were hopeful
* Some found a greater faith in God, while others lost theirs
* Heirlooms were often sold to finance the trip; heirlooms were often abandoned by the side of the trail
