The Heritage Gazette
Copyright 2009 Burks-Blake Company
The American Railroad
Prairie Schooners
Prairie Schooners was the method most settlers used for transportation as they traveled through
the great plains to Oregon and California. The prairie schooners were named for the white sail schooners on
the ocean.
A smaller version of the conestoga wagons, the prairie
schooner, was lighter and only required four horses to pull the wagon. Oxen and mules were usually used. It
was about 10 feet high, 4 feet wide and 10 to 12 feet long. The front wheels were about 44 inches
in diameter while the back wheels were around 50 inches in diameter. The smaller front wheels allowed for sharper turns.
The bed of the wagon was made out of hardwood and tar was used to make it watertight when fording rivers. The bonnet was made
out of cotton and folded over to be watertight. It was supported by hardwood bows that were pliable and bent in a u-shape.
The bonnet was secured over the bows and the back was folded over to keep nature's elements out. A box was attached
to the side of these wagons that carried extra hoop iron, iron bolts, linch pins and various other parts and tools to repair
the wagon.
The only set of springs were under the drivers seat which made for
a bumpy ride for anyone riding in the wagon. Many preferred to walk or ride a horse. The inside of the
wagon was filled with belongings and supplies but the wagon was as light as possible so that the animals would not tire out so
quickly. Settlers usually traveled in groups called wagon trains for protection.
The great American railway stretched from east to west and north to south. The railroad was
an exciting new invention that moved products quicker and cut travel time. The first railroad, The Granite Railway
started in 1826 in Quincy, Massachusetts and moved granite from Quincy to a dock in Milton. Many railroad companies
formed to move other products such as coal and iron. The B & O (Baltimore & Ohio) Railroad was the first to
move people. The first section opened in 1830.
These railroads were built by our ancestors and in
many instances they risked their lives working for the railroad companies. The people involved in the building of the railroad
begins with chartering the railroad, surveying, laying the grading and tracks to building the stations and towns. There
are maps, deeds, records, journals and ledgers that show how the railraod dealt with employees, settlers and Native Americans.
Other resources to look for are timetables, train sheets, watch files, telegraph records, railroad passenger lists, personnel and
pension files. Also, accident reports, obituaries, personal letters, employee rosters and timetables. Railroad
employee magazines is another good resource. Here are a few websites on the Internet that can assist you in your search
for your ancestor who worked on the railroad.