The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1924-10-14

When Famous PayersLasky Corporation determined the
huge task of ransatmg to the Emerson Houghs novel; The
edge of what enaed 1t meant weeks of preparation, pansak
ing research gigantic expenditure and responsibility almost
eoaed in the history of the films.
Tremendous Difficulties Overcome.
Instead of acting deterant this only purred them on to
Greater effort and determination make this only entertain
mg drama of vital period American history, sufficiently recent
compel and hold the audiences of today but likewise historical
document ceuo preserving for all time the accurate spectacle
the great task of the pioneers who braved the trails the
continent the face of untold haps dangers and prvaons
lanes CrHe producer of THE Old Homestead given the
TASK of making the phoodrama staff of fifty experts
assigned to him. and Immediately the preliminary work of research
and location finding entered upon Nine stateCaona Utah.
Nevada Idaho Wyoming Montana Oregon New Mexico and A
onawere combed for locations data material and properties
Much Research Work Done.
Meanwhile the comng department preparing for the I'M
mene number of period garments be wornpanmen, happe
Indians guides emigrans scouts cattemen, drivers eca
must be represented The Research Department busy coatng
data State Historical Societies were appealed to and among those
who answered were E. Sheldon superintendent of the Nebraska
State Historical Society," who supplied valuable photographs and
data about the Oregon trail that ae Ennce e. Anderson state
historian of Wyoming gave advice and references regarding Fort
dger and other historic forts Wyoming So came from all quar-
until the pile of material began formidable propoom
Scenes Made in Utah.
Then Mr. Crne himself Nevada and Utah, which had
been settled upon largely the most promising spots wheeon to
film the for the play With Otto Meek OF the Baker
Ranch of probably 100000 largest Nevada if not in the
uod-Ioc in the Snake Valley arrangements were made
whereby it might be used the principal location contains
great lake which decided could be banked and outlet formed
create river which should provide the torrenta stream which
would later be foded by the trains animal beng obg
ed to swim as in the actual experiences of l04o-49
Hundreds of Oxen and Horses Used
Oxen had be obtained pull them and $50 yoke OF steers
were secured and broken the yoke the yokes and chains had to
be made
In addition 200 mules were required of the army small
task in itself herd of 500 buffalo utilized for the big hunt
scenes. :,
thousand horses 100 cowpones with equipment several herds
of ordinary cattle Aanking the wagon trains were needed
One thousand Indians FIVE hundred being mounted warriors he
rest made ND of ouaw papooes old and was another
order.
Five hundred drivers for the teamsypes OF bearded bonz
ed pansmen families of wives children dogs guides wagon
train captains all were among the necessities
Covers had to be made for several hundred wagons
The country was untouched by modern equpages there were no
telephone or telegraph wres trains autos In fact much OF
the territory used has been hodden by man. all OF is WIG
and prmitve-in none of has camera ever clicked