Tag: wagon train

Old Crump

In 1849, a wagon train bound for California split up, with many members opting for a supposed shortcut to the goldfields. The shortcut did not work out, and these intrepid wanderers found themselves stranded, lock, stock, barrel, and four children on the floor of a place called ‘Death Valley.’

Bennett’s Long Camp

Over a month of hardship and waiting had passed while two heroic young men walked to find a way out and return with supplies to bring this band of Lost 49ers to safety. This they did, returning with food, a white horse, and a one-eyed mule. Sadly enough, the white horse had to be abandoned in a dry fall in the Panamint Mountains.

With these heroes returning, they could make their escape. The children were weak, tired, and sick and would not make the trip if they had to walk, so the pioneers sewed several shirts together, making saddlebags to carry them in.

The children were uncomfortable and sick. They cried, but ‘Crump,’ the ox selected to bear this burden, seemed to sense the importance of carrying its cargo as gently as possible, never missing a step, stumbling, or even making a sudden, jarring move.

This ordeal, beginning late in 1849 and finishing up early in 1850, became a distant memory to the party members.

Years later, a much older William Manly, one of the two heroes who saved the emigrants (John Rogers being the other), was walking down a road in the Central Valley. He noticed that over in a shady pasture, there was a fat ox relishing the long, tender blades of grass. Strangely enough, the ox looked vaguely familiar. Sure enough, it was Old Crump, warm and gentle as ever.

Ox in pasture of green grass
Retired beast of burden – NPS photo

Back in 1850, when things settled after their hardship-fraught journey and arrival at their destination, the owner of the ox retired the creature as a reward for its distinguished service, and Crump never worked another day in his life.

Chapter XI – Death Valley in 49
Wm. Lewis Manly

Draft Oxen

Draft oxen are domesticated cattle trained to work as draft animals, primarily for agricultural purposes. They have been used for centuries in many parts of the world to pull plows, wagons, and other heavy loads. Oxen are typically castrated male cattle, and they are trained to respond to commands from their handlers.

NPS photo of oxen - ox tream
Oxen – NPS photo

Here are some key characteristics and advantages of using draft oxen:

  1. Strength: Oxen are strong animals, capable of pulling heavy loads, plowing fields, and performing other tasks requiring significant physical strength. They are often used for tilling soil and other agricultural activities.
  2. Endurance: Oxen are known for their endurance. They can work long hours, making them suitable for tasks requiring sustained effort, such as plowing large fields or pulling heavy loads over extended distances.
  3. Steadiness and Reliability: Oxen is generally known for its steady and reliable work. They are patient animals and can handle repetitive tasks at a consistent pace.
  4. Adaptability: Oxen are well-adapted to various climates and terrains. They can work in different conditions and are particularly useful in areas where mechanized equipment may not be practical or accessible.
  5. Low Maintenance: Oxen are often considered low-maintenance animals compared to some other draft animals. They can graze on pasture, and their dietary requirements are relatively simple. They also have sturdy hooves, which reduces the need for frequent hoof care.
  6. Draught Power: Oxen have been historically crucial for providing draught power in agriculture. They were widely used before the advent of mechanized farming equipment and are still used in some regions where traditional farming methods persist.
  7. Manure Production: Aside from their work capabilities, oxen also produce manure, which can be used as crop fertilizer. This contributes to the sustainability of agricultural practices.

While draft oxen have been widely used historically, the prevalence of mechanized agriculture has led to a decline in their use in many developed countries. However, in certain regions and for specific purposes, draft oxen continue to be valued for their strength, reliability, and suitability for sustainable and traditional farming practices. Training and working with oxen require skill and patience, as they respond well to positive reinforcement and consistent handling.

Ellen Baley, Age 11

Disaster at the Colorado
Charles W. Baley

During this phase of the journey, the wagon train was doing much of its traveling at night, owing to the great daytime heat of the desert and the long distances between water holes. They would stop for a short rest at regular intervals during the night. At one of these rest stops, eleven-year-old Ellen Baley, a daughter of Gillum and Permelia Baley, fell asleep and failed to awaken when the wagon train moved on. Somehow, she was not missed until the train traveled some distance. The poor girl awoke to find herself alone in the middle of a vast hostile desert. Filled with fright, she began running to catch up with the wagon train, but in her confusion, she took off in the opposite direction. When she was discovered missing, her father and older brother, George, immediately returned to where they had stopped. To their horror, she was not there! Captured by the Indians must have been their conclusion!

Nevertheless, they continued their search by calling out the little girl’s name at the top of their voices as they rode back. Their efforts were soon rewarded when a faint cry came far off in the distance, “Papa, Papa.” Her father immediately answered and kept calling her name until he caught up with her. When reunited with her family and the other members of the wagon train, Ellen had a tale that would be told and retold by family members until the present day.

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