La Junta tribune., 1916-12-09
CROSSING THE PLAINS
The Trip of 1851 rs Compared With
Crossing Of Tourists Today


journey only very dim conception
of the trials, hardships and adven-
lures that fell to the lot OF their
fathers that made the journey only
a trifle more than half century
ago, using an OK team attached to
prairie schooner. Here and there
still remains one who made that
journey and the story they can tell
Is usually an intensely interesting
one.
One of these pioneers is Johna-
than Osborn. now living In East
liolbrook, more familiarly known to
his large circle OF acquaintances
over the county as Grandpa Osborn.
Grandpa Osborn was born in Boone
County, Indiana. June 5th. 1928,
consequently he was IS years of age
on his last birthday. In spite of hts
advanced age, he still does practi-
cally all of his own work assisted by
his faithful wife. He has a ranch of
24O acres just across Horse Creek
and has large herd of horses and
r.ilks a large number OF cows, doing
RS much work every day as num-
lers of younger men. His mother
died when he was seven years old.
but his grandmother lived to be lO7
years old.
His story of how he crossed the
plains in the early days was drawn
from him with great reluctance on
his part. but we believe it will be
read with interest by the readers of
the Tribune. He said:
We left Marion county April
10th. 1861 the spring the civil war
broke out. a man named McAllister.
who had several boys. wanted to go
To the western states on account OF
his boys getting into the war. was
carpenter and wagon maker by
trade and he offered to take my tool
chest along and furnish my board
ana passage In return for my SER
Vices In caring for the cattle and so
on. He had number of wagons
loaded with freight for the mining
camps. One load was flour. another
meat and one groceries.
when they arrived at Fort Kear-
r"y there was a lot or Indian trouble
and no soldiers were available for
guarding the train. so that every
wagon that came In was held until
the number of men was sufficient
to form their own guard. when the
wagon train finally started ther.
we're ninety wagons. Each wagon
had four yoke (eight head OF oxen
attached. 4 man named Westover
was elected captain, to whose or
ders IN. whole company was obe-
dent. \ number of men walked
along with guns as guards. Al night
the wagons were driven In large
circle to form corral and ten or
fifteen men acted AZ sentries. Bear
In mind that at this time every per-
son was In n fever of excitement.
The war breaking out. the discoy-
cry OF new gold fields In the west.
the danger OF Indian trcachery and
the minor adventures and novelty
OF the long journey. all combined to
keep every nerve at high tension.
The firs, Incident OF Importance
happened some time after the train
left Fort Kearney. II was customary
for on. wagon to take the lead for
u time and then drop back to tn.
rear. The long train of wagons
stirred up an immenH. cloud OF dust
Oh the dry prairie trails and by this
n,thod the party had To take about
nm equal amount OF II. ON. man.
who had been In IN. lead. dropped
back to the rear. He had n young
mare with him that was ioor. and
having been In tn. front. took q
sudden notion that the head OF tho
procession was the best place for
her anyhow. kicked up her heels
and cluttered off. The sudden cs-
element siampeded the oxen. and
the whole train started Off at full
speed. About n quarter OF a milo
ahead Was n large creek with con-
siderable OF water IN II. and the man
In the front wagon began TO yell.
Head 'eml Head 'em'" One cour-
ageous. but ubthinking. Individual