“Covered Wagon Women: Diaries and Letters from the Western Trails, 1840-1849,” by Kenneth L. Holmes

On By cindy knokeIn BOOK REVIEWS

a66f113add20f93c1d056d5bbcfa5a69

DSC01443

2e6dd00ecbaca1ce90de43d9e7888f9a

“Covered Wagon Women” is a fascinating non-fiction account of fourteen pioneer women traveling west in the 1840’s. The book was edited and compiled by historian Kenneth L. Holmes. It is a remarkable book in that it consists of primary source, unedited diary entries, letters and other correspondence. The editor left the women’s narratives unedited as the women actually wrote them, replete with original syntax, spelling, and punctuation, and the mistakes made therein.There are additional “Covered Wagon Women,” volumes in a series. I read volume two and found it equally compelling.These unedited first person narratives give the reader a genuine sense of who these women really were, what they were seeing, experiencing, and feeling. Of course the unbelievable hardship, birth, death and tragedy are heart wrenching, but these incredible women’s intelligence, courage and appreciation of the beauty of their experience is also made abundantly clear. The women’s observations are reminiscent of the biographies of the famous male explorers, at times scientifically dispassionate, as they keenly and in detail, describe the new flora and fauna, terrain, climate, and Native Americans they encounter. They were after all, explorers as well.

They are also most effective in relaying their feelings. Take for example this excerpt from Tabitha Brown about her experience traveling west in 1846, now left to her own devices as she struggles on with an old, feeble, near death companion who was unable to care for himself or offer her any assistance,

“Here the shades of night were gathering fast and I could see the wagon tracks no further. I alighted from my horse, flung off my saddle and saddle bags and tied him fast with a lasso rope to a tree…..his senses were gone…..I covered him as well as I could with blankets…and helped the old gentleman, expecting he would be a corpse by morning. Pause for a moment and consider my situation-worse than alone; in a strange wilderness; without food, without fire; cold and shivering; wolves fighting and howling all around me; darkness of night forbade the stars to shine upon me; solitary- all was solitary as death…. As soon as light had dawned, I pulled down my tent, saddled the horses, found the Captain so as to stand on his feet…”

And she continues on towards Oregon. Remarkable. And there are many more narratives like this in the book.

I read a lot of these non-fiction pioneer and Native American history books (more about these in a latter review) as I traveled recently through the west, crossing and re-crossing the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. I read books about a woman homesteading alone on the prairie, the first homesteading couple in what is now Glacier National Park, another about a widow hiring a helper and traveling on the first trek over the Oregon trail where they broke the trail, a book about a woman and her family crossing the Mojave Desert and this incredible collection of women’s narratives and I realize we’ve all been robbed with the books, movies and folklore of “the old west,” that have focused on the cowboys and male explorers, and mostly ignored the incredible fortitude, bravery and contribution of these pioneer women.

Riveting reading. Highly recommend.

20070407_051921_op08pioneer1_300

DSC02464

Discover more from Cindy Knoke

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

322 thoughts on ““Covered Wagon Women: Diaries and Letters from the Western Trails, 1840-1849,” by Kenneth L. Holmes”

    2. Mitzie Frazier

      I have been watching wagon train everyday on tv it truly remarkable how are ancestors cross the country by horse and wagon? I love this show. I know that the show is for entertainment but these things did happen and I can’t help wondering how many people have died during these trips and were just buried randomly where they died so makes you think that there are a lot of people buried out there, wouldn’t it be great If we today can actually do that go across the country by horse and wagon to truly understand what our ancestors went through. Not just a white people, but the Native American people as well.

      Reply

      1. Wow. Yes. Thank you very much Mitzie for your sensitivity and concern. I was born and live in the farthest south west point of North America. I have always thought about them. How did they pass the mountains, and even more our deserts, with wagons and children? I think they are heroes.

        Reply

  2. I really enjoy these type of books, I think in many ways the women pioneers were very underated. As we travelled I came across many stories of brave women pioneers in the Australian outback

    Reply

  3. Pomm-
    Oh Yes! the outback seems even more intimidating than the American west. Remember the book and than the mini-series, “A Town Called Alice?” I was so engrossed by both.

    I just read a few months ago that the coroner ruled that the Chamerlain-Creighton baby was in fact taken by Dingos. Snatching a child from a crowded campground. That is intimidating. (See Link.) The poor family.

    http://www.webpronews.com/a-dingo-killed-her-baby-coroner-says-2012-06

    And then there’s the snakes.

    Still such a gorgeous country. I want to go back and explore more of it. I was mesmerized by the birds! The exotic to me, commonplace there. I remember 40 or so Black Cockatoos crying like cats in a bush at night. Thrilling. I will try and find this blog I want to follow called something like, Australphotos…stunning photos. Have you seen them?

    Take care,

    Cindy

    Reply

  4. That poor woman, Lindy Chamberlain, she went through hell, first accused of killing her own baby then imprisoned for years. Nearly all Australians were on her side, it created huge controversy at the time. It was such a relief for her to finally be exonerated of all guilt. I loved the book A town like Alice but never saw the series. I still have to make it to Alice, we were going this trip until Matilda had problems and we had to change track to take her for “surgery”.
    No I do not know the photo blog you mention

    Reply

    1. Pomm-
      When I find the blog I’ll send it to you. They are traveling around Australia and taking incredible photos.
      Yes, the Chamberlain case was tragically sad. This seems to happen occasionally, innocent parents accused of killing their child. Tragedy on top of tragedy. I wonder if they ever find peace? Must be incredibly difficult.
      Give my best to “Matilda!”
      Such a great name.
      Also just remembered one of my favorite movies of all time, about the outback, “Walkabout,” directed by Nicholas Roeg. Such an amazing flick.
      Cheers,
      Cindy

      Reply

  5. Don’t think I have seen that movie so will look out for it in the video store.
    Matilda’s full name is Meandering Matilda!!!!! She is not doing much meandering at the moment though…

    Reply

  7. Excellent review. I think sometimes of how rough it must have been to travel cross country with no paved roads, harsh winters, etc. They certainly were very strong and brave. Thanks for the like of my post “It’s Apple Blossom Time”.

    Reply

  8. This is fascinating – sounds a great read indeed. Love the old picture – did it have many pictures in the book? REALLY love those old pictures.

    My gosh, to think of driving around in my car, heater on, totally enclosed – those days were really something else.

    Very interesting choice of book, & great review.

    Reply

    1. Yes there are photos, but I also augmented with google images as I too love the old photos especially of pioneer women……I looked closely at the photos. They women’s clothes were tattered and dirty (no wonder). Their skin was burned by wind and sun. They were squinting into the camera. The children were barefoot. They looked like homeless people, which of course, as they crossed North America continent, they were. Hard to imagine if we still retain any remnants of their courage.
      Thank you for your kind comments.

      Reply

  11. So glad this blog post was suggested and that I came here. Years ago, I had done research thinking that a book about women heading West in the late 1800’s would be fun to write / read. Looks like this is going to be a great read. Thanks for the review.

    Reply

    1. It was a fascinating read and I have read many other books on this subject and am now reading about a family crossing the Mojave Desert. If you like the book, and want to read more on the subject, just give me a, holler! Cheers and thank you Holly~

      Reply

    1. You have to read it then. She might just be! I have lots of non-fiction books on the subject and my husband thought I had found one of his relatives also, but it turned out not to be the case. Let me know what you think~

      Reply

    1. I loved the personal narratives of these women. It brought me almost into the covered wagons with them which was remarkable, hearing their thoughts and reactions as they crossed America seeing these totally foreign places. I was left with such deep admiration for them. Thank you for your kind words.

      Reply

  14. this post evoke profound sadness in me,human existence is marked with woe and disaster,but the courage we show in moments of crisis is worth million golds.thanks for the wonderful post.

    Reply

  15. Hi Cindy,
    A wonderful book review! I own that book, and many others like it. My family traveled along bits and pieces of what’s left of the Oregon Trail as a research project for storytelling programs that I was writing based upon the experiences of the pioneers. I now tell those stories, all from the women’s point of view. The Westward movement was unique, with many lasting consequences, none beneficial to the Native Americans, but formative in the geography and character of the United States.

    Reply

    1. Thank you very much. I too have skads of books on the subject as I never tire of it. First narrative from Native Americans, pioneers, pioneer children raised by Native Americans. Unbelieveable, compelling history. I just read “Across Death Valley,” a non-fiction account from a pioneer woman’s perspective of their trip across Death Valley. AND, if that isn’t enough coincidence for you, my husband and I just crossed and cris-crossed The Oregon Trail last fall, retracing much of the route as well.
      Sounds like we share some common interests. Cheers to you and thank you~

      Reply

      1. Small world! David’s first teaching job was at K State..big rivals! 😎 We were very happy in Manhattan except for the abysmal lack of shopping! I loved going to Kansas City, though! Namaste. .. .. Anne

        Reply

  18. pioneer women were every bit as intrepid as the men — their lives wore them out before their time though. Many good stories have been lost.

    Reply

    1. Interestingly enough I just finished a book called “Across the Mojave,” about group of pioneers who made a truly intolerable trip across the Mojave Desert to California. They were a group of families who starved and were near perishing from dehydration. The principal women in the party lived into very old age in California and become stalwart matriarchs of their towns. Not what I expected either. They may just have been very strong women. Thanks for dropping by & commenting! With the Oregon trail, many of the women did the same in Oregon and became town mothers as it were!

      Reply

  19. It is very interesting – The story is similar to the Danish stories. We have had a lot of folks migrate to US and there are stories from those whom make it over there. It was kind of ruff I believe and for those who was left did not have that good of a life. At the moment I am reading about the old Copenhagen and why the streets are named as they are. Thanks for visiting my blog “Far Away” 😀

    Reply

    1. The old Copenhagen book sounds fascinating and yes the pioneers had a very difficult time. Many perished on the trails. All endured unspeakable hardship. These were courageous women. Very admirable also!
      Thank you for commenting and I am enjoying your creative blog! Cheers to you!

      Reply

  20. Thank you for this. Just may have to pick it up! I have recently been reading more and more by and about women headed West. I live in Arizona and cannot imagine crossing this desert in a wagon.

    Reply

    1. Yes I just read “Across the Mojave.” This is something I cannot even fathom. But I also could never understand how they got through the Coastal Mountains and the High Sierras. Incredible women!

      Reply

  21. Cindy, have you ever been to Nevada City, California? In the heart of the old town, behind a small hotel is a plaque to “The ladies of the evening” and their contribution… Without them, the West would not have “been won.” 🙂 Lea

    Reply

    1. No I haven’t seen this. But I did tour the old houses of prostitution in Alaska. It makes me sad for the women who had to rely on this awful option. Have you heard the Japanes politician who recently said that comfort women were “necessary?” At least the plaque acknowledges their existence. Sad. In Amsterdam recently I went through the sell people street. I saw the young females in their windows. I watched them get purchased. I think buying and selling people for sex is no longer “cool.” I hope this is the case at least…..

      Reply

      1. Yes, I have seen the Red Light District in Amsterdam back in 1999. It was sad then and wasn’t something to improve with age.
        As we drive from here down into Spain there are “working girls” lined up along the highway and as the economy there worsens, there are more women out there…

        Reply

      2. It’s the social worker in me of course, I had so many sex workers as clients who came from backgrounds of abuse and neglect. I despise cruelty and it is cruel.
        It would be interesting to arrest the Johns rather than the prostitutes wouldn’t it? Its a crime to be a prostitute, but not a purchaser of a person’s body?

        Reply

  23. This entry popped up when it annonce you following …

    Every once in a while for plesant distraction I watch reruns of ‘Little House’ – It is amazing for me to think that Laura http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ingalls_Wilder
    died just months before I was born.

    If I didn’t already have a ton of books on my to-be list… But I think I am still going to copy the title anyway…
    Cheers.

    Reply

  25. Hi ! Firstly let me thank you for the like on my blog ” Native American Indian Pottery” This post on your blog is most interesting and I will look forward to reading more so will follow you. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  28. I have always been fascinated with the lives of the early pioneers, especially from the women’s point of view. In your description of where you live in Calif. (Appalachian holler style), I had to laugh because I DO live in Appalachia (Virginia) and your description fits many a neighborhood around here. I often wonder during the winter what it was like out here in the late 1700s, during the early settler years when it took two days on a horse carriage to get to the nearest town (now an hour’s car drive away). If you didn’t grow enough food, if the harvest failed, if winter came too early – it would be a very rough winter. At least there was a small community and people looked out for each other. On the trail West, not even those neighborly comforts were in place….

    Reply

    1. Yes the true stories of these women pioneers fascinate me. I have read lots of them. It demonstrates what women are made of. Particularly remarkable are the single women homesteaders. These are women who left their families, moved to the middle of nowhere, staked their claim, and lived to write about it. So remarkable. And there were lots of them too. Women who, for whatever reason were alone, some never married, others widows, etc., but who decided a conventional life was not for them. The Holler where we live is all prior homesteaded land, but the homesteaders here, mostly gave up and I can see why. We have fierce wind, heat, and problematic soil. But man is it gorgeous, as I know the mountains of Virginia are! So glad to make your aquaintance here in blogdom!

      Reply

        1. I have lost count of how many therapists I have gotten to know in blogdom. I think, with you, their are nine of us now following each other ! I miss seeing clients, but I don’t miss one or two problematic employees. Basically, I relax at The Holler, and travel! Can’t really be beat can it?? So glad to get to know you and cheers!

          Reply

    1. Yes, if I remember correctly. I am very interested in this time in history and have read many interesting non-fiction accounts about Native Americans and also pioneers, so I may be mistaken, but I don’t think so. It’s on my kindle and I can check if you wish. Have you read, “Empire of the Summer Moon: The Rise and Fall of the Comanche Nation?” If so, I would be interested in your opinion. Also, do you have a book or two to recommend to me? Would love some new recommendations. Cheers to you~

      Reply

      1. Hello, Cindy.
        I have not read “Empire of the Summer Moon; The Rise and Fall of the Comanche Nation.”

        As for book recommendations — I’m assuming you mean historical/Native Americans, at the moment. If so, then Ella Cara Deloria’s book Waterlily –which is based upon her extensive field research with people who lived the pre-European contact life-ways.

        Now, if you’re talking books in general–well, Cindy, that depends on what interests you.What’s your interest range? Genres?

        Reply

      2. I will start with Waterlily. Thank you for the rec. I tend to read mostly non-fiction. Historical and accurate accounts of the Native American experience are what interest me. Happy Friday and thank you~

        Reply

  32. Wow Cindy that was a very intriguing read. At my age 55 I am just now getting my college degree. Better late than never. I have always loved history. These tales would certainly be an interesting read.

    I drove from Louisiana to Arizona last year (although spent most my life in California) by myself, anyway while crossing those desert expanses I wondered about the people that made those journey in wagons. Now I guess I can read about it. Thank you for sharing the review and for visiting my blog.

    ✿ღ✿ღ.¸¸ღ♫*¨`*•..¸ƸӜƷ ✿ღ ✫❀ƸӜƷ
    Sindy

    Reply

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed the read! I hope you do read it and let me know what you think. Congratulations on being close to your degree! Quite an accomplishment, as is driving solos from LA to CA. Life is wonderful and it sounds like you are making the most if it!! GOOD for you! My kind of woman! Cheers to you & thank you~

      Reply

      1. Since being in school, I have not really had the time to read for pleasure but that collection sounds so fascinating. It will be on my list. Thanks for the Follow Cindy. Always good to have another Cindy on board. 😀

        Reply

  34. Excellent. Enjoyed reading that very much. We need to get the real story of herstory out there. We need to teach the fact that WOMEN were alive in the past and actually did the same thing that men did, only better, sometimes. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Ach, yes! So frustrating that most of their stories have gone untold. I read a book about female homesteaders who claimed their thirty acres and a mule and homesteaded on their own? Did we ever learn of these stories in history? Is anyone teaching this to young people now?
      Thank you for recognizing this~

      Reply

  36. Misogyny is everywhere and then as well but women are as important to history because even as a wife, they raised the families in just terrible conditions. So all of you males hug your mom and do not let other women or men besmirch women’s role or their character.

    Reply

  38. It’s rare and wonderful to really hear the voices of women in history. I can’t even imagine making that trek with kids and all your belongings. How many millions of times would the kids ask “Are we there yet?” It boggles the mind. Amazing anyone actually made it.

    Reply

    1. Many made it which makes it even more remarkable and lots went on to live to old age and were leaders and community founders in their new towns. I agree. Mind boggling. Thank your for commenting and visiting!

      Reply

  40. Shared this on Twitter. Do you tweet? I don’t see your twitter acct attached to the tweet (as in via @…). It would be nice if you attached it because this way you get credit and more twitter exposure when I tweet you.
    Cheers!

    Reply

  41. Sounds so interesting!!
    I could see me, back then, traveling west in a covered wagon with my husband.
    On the rough days (and I am sure there were many), I would have been asking “OK. Can you tell me again….WHY did we have to do this? I liked our home on the east coast just fine.”

    Reply

  42. If that is as mean as you can get, I’ll sign up for your wagon train!! You can lead the anger management group for disgusted pioneer women!! I’ll make the refreshments, umm, hardtack and sagebrush tea!!! Cheers to you!!

    Reply

  44. Cindy
    I am just getting back to being in touch with others and it is so nice to hear from you and visit you again. I do admire the woman of the past. Their dedication, their desire to survive and leave a strong legacy. Good reading Cindy
    Yisraela

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I was an Ingalls addict when I was young. I wanted to be on all her adventures. Your daughter may enjoy her bio. Non fiction and fascinating, tying all the books together and her entire life~

      Reply

  47. Taught high school history 33 years. But developed a disdain for textbooks in favor of letters and diaries likes this. Brings you into the hearts and minds of people and they still speak to us from the past which I think is a valuable link for all humanity. Thanks visit my blog.

    Reply

    1. This sounds a whole lot more creative than my high school American History class! Ooooh those textbooks, bad memories. The letters and diaries approach would have gotten by attention. There is an immediacy to them that can be so riveting. You feel almost as if you are there! Cheers to you & thanks~

      Reply

  48. Good review. My wife and I began a landscape history study once and read almost 7,000 letters, diaries, and journals (she did most of the reading). Like other unfinished projects, the data is in a forgotten file cabinet somewhere in our office. Thanks for the reminder. Perhaps we can stir up our ambition to get finished.

    Reply

  49. Pingback: SciFi | A Listly List

    1. The truth is these pioneer women were remarkable in fortitude and bravery and their story hasn’t been told from their own perspective until this book. Thank you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply