Great Collywobbles: Dry Hollow Elementary students hit the Oregon Trail
Fourth-graders hit the trail Tuesday morning, June 7, at Dry Hollow Elementary as the classes re-enacted the Oregon Trail historical journey from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City.
Teachers Autumn Loyd and Melissa Heying and Sarah Hammel unleashed students dressed in pioneer garb for the Oregon Trail, a 2,170 mile journey.
In this case, students covered the fields around the elementary, attempting to make it to watering holes without being stricken with too much bad luck.
Collywobbles or intense anxiety or nervousness, especially with stomach queasiness, often afflicted the pioneers as they coped with dysentery and cholera along the way.
The students were broken into several groups of five, and they built model wagons, supplied them and created dolls for passengers.
The Oregon Trail was laid by fur traders and trappers from about 1811 to 1840, and was only passable on foot or by horseback. By 1836, when the first migrant wagon train was organized.
Planning a five- to six-month trip across rugged terrain was no easy task and could take up to a year. Emigrants had to sell their homes, businesses and any possessions they couldn’t take with them. They also purchased hundreds of pounds of supplies including flour, sugar, bacon, coffee, salt, rifles and ammunition, according to history.com
By far, the most important item for a successful life on the trail was the covered wagon. It had to be sturdy enough to withstand the elements yet small and light enough for a team of oxen or mules to pull day after day.
Most wagons were about six feet wide and twelve feet long. They were usually made of seasoned hardwood and covered with a large, oiled canvas stretched over wood frames. In addition to food supplies, the wagons were laden with water barrels, tar buckets and extra wheels and axles.
Leta, Tim and Bandit
This story sponsored by:
Pioneer Electric
Leta and Tim Barclift are owners and operators of Pioneer Electric, 423 E. Second St., The Dalles. They are here to serve you in all your refrigeration, stove and appliance needs. They can also help with parts. And don’t forget to pet Bandit while you’re there.
