Arizona republican., 1922-05-14

Mrs. Sarah Butler Yorke, who came
from Missouri in an OK train in 1878
and lived in Arizona through all the
early pioneer days and through the
Indian wars has written one of the
most interesting accounts of her life
and adventures. This sketch of her
pioneer life was~ submitted in the
story contest instituted by the State
Federation of Women's Clubs, and
was awarded first prize at the con-
yention held by the federation at
Nngman.
~he story. follows:
/ have been asked to give You some
sketches of my pioneer life. and if
YOU will excuse a simple story told
in a simple way. / will try to give
YOU a few of the experiences which
came to us. First on the long jour
new from Missouri to New Mexico.
Second on the trip from New Mex
leo to Arizona, and others during our
life on the cattle ranches on the ella
river. 20 miles south of Clifton, Ari-
zona
In tie spring OF 1873 a party of 16
persons. four women. seven men and
five children started from the CEN
trail part of Missouri to find homes
in the fal West; all were hoping to
better their fortunes, and a few, in
cluding myself, We're seeking health;
some kind neighbors advised my hus-
band TO rut a spade in the wagon.
thinking it might be needed, but !
was anxious to make the trial.
Our train consisted of covered wag-
ons drawn by oxen, and a herd of
cattle driven by the younger men
who were on horses. Our long. tedious
Journey required four months. You
will realize our progress was slow
because all our possessions such as
food. clothing. bedding, cooking uten-
sfls and tents were packed in the
wagons, besides the women and chill
dren. Nine miles a day was the av-
erage distance we covered. Travellers
now going over the same route at
an average of 80 miles an hour will
no doubt think of us with pity, but
though slow we were sure.
We were fortunate in regard to the
weather as there was not much ram.
On stormy nights the men did this
cooking while the women and chill
dren remained in the wagons or tents
hut we were usually so cramped from
sitting all day we were glad to get
out for exercise, if possible.
After We reached the plains wood
for cooking was our greatest prob
lem, and Il was some time before the
women would consent to use a fire
made of buffalo chips. Afterward we
made a joke of it. and would laugh
to see some of the fastidious young
men come into camp with sack Of
chips on their shoulders. The old
chips that had laid there for years
through ali kinds of weather certain
nj
time another party of four men driv-
ing a larger bunch of cattle had
ioined US and we welcomed the addi-
ton believing there was more safe
ty in numbers. We could hear the
prairie chickens most every morning
and passed large herds of buffalo
at different times and saw many an
teIope. Our men Killed several an
telope and two buffaloes on the way,
and the fresh meat was very ac-
ceptable However [ would not care
for a. diet of buffalo meat. One day
they had wounded and chased q large
buffalo until it was very tired. Our
camp happened to be in the way and
he came right through. The women
and children took refuge in the wag-
ons. much disturbed over the unin-
vited guest.
The work that has been done to
nreserye the buffalo reminds me of
what I saw when we touched in one
uoint in western Kansas. Sportsmen
on board tie trains had shot the buf-
falo down until they law by the hum
dreds and We're left to decay without
even removing the skins. 1t was
pitiful to see the result of such van
dalisfn.
When we came through the Sioux