When Daniel Wilkerson returned to the family farm after serving with the Union Army he found the farm had been raided by General John Hunt Morgan of the CSA, the animals killed and his father had suffered a stroke. His brother and sister-in-law had died of cholera during the war while serving the Union in Pennsylvania. The farm could no longer support the family. The decision was made to sell out and go to Oregon. The family of three women, six children and Daniel left their family home and set out by wagon train for the western lands. They would walk most of the 2,000 miles and endure relentless heat and severe weather, the loss of a rebellious daughter, the death of a child, illness and injury. Many dreams along the way were lost-Daniel and a new farm, Anna wanting to teach, Jody wanting to ride for the Pony Express. Many dreams had to be put aside. There would be graves alongside the trail from families of the train. There was constant fear of Indians stealing the children, outlaws and lack of good water. The train followed the Platt River which was "too thick to drink and too thin to plow." Rebellion among the wagon train members that refused to heed the warning of a mountain man, brought death to those who left the train to travel the portion of the trail the Sioux were guarding with their lives. The Bozeman Trail the Indians called the Holy Road was no longer a safe route. The family had delays with illness and had to stay in Denver until spring. Late in the autumn while searching for medicinal herbs their daughter was captured by the Sioux. It took strong people to settle the western lands people like the Wilkerson's Captain McGruder and Ben Clemont and others who were not afraid to face the unknown.
About the Author: I grew up in central Illinois the eldest of six children to parents who farmed and trained horses. My parents instilled the work ethic that you received as good as you put into a project. Being a girl with brothers I learned at an early age how to work horses while watching my parents train them. I have owned horses most of my life and still do. I studied History and Sociology in college and became most interested in western lore. Our heritage includes Lakota Sioux, Scots and Irish. My family has visited extensively monuments in the west particularly the Oregon trail.