One thing I like about blogging it the questions that appear in the comments. As a writer there are often things I do not include. A good question reminds me to fill out the story.
I think two of the men had been out to the area the year before . A Mr. Jansen from Nebraska helped them find land.
A question was asked about transportation across the prairie. The move from Manitoba to Esk , Sask was about 700 miles. By 1905 , when they moved , some railroads had been constructed. So they were able to get within 40 miles of their homesteads by rail.
The railroad gave the homesteaders a good deal on freight. So a person could get a boxcar and put all their belongings in it for transportation. So an amazing amount of freight could be crammed in one box car. So here's the list: machinery, household effects, clothing, a couple of horses , a cow, a few pigs and chickens, some seed grain , farm tools.
One person would be allowed to ride in this freight car so that when the train stopped the animals could be taken off to be fed and watered. Sometimes a second person would be sneaked into the freight car but this was risky as there were police watching for this activity. There are many stories about people hiding amongst the freight.
The remainder of the family would travel as passengers.
When the train got to Watson ,Sask. the car was put on the siding and unloaded. Women and children stayed with some of the freight while the men hauled material to the homestead. They went to their homesteads following some trails. They didn't have a map but there were survey stakes the could be used to tell where they were.
The men put up shelters and went back for more freight and family.
They worked hard to put up a house for the winter. Three types of houses were built. There were some trees that were big enough to make a log house. Some homesteaders built a sod house and some clay house.
There was not much variety for food. They seeded some potatoes. They had eggs. meet was supplied by game that was taken. A few groceries were bought such as flour and a few other staples.
It was a very difficult journey and new life but they knew that it would be better than what they left.
They were tough people in tough times - reliant upon their own survival instincts. Their hearts must have been filled with so much hope.
ReplyDeleteI think they were all relieved to be here and experience safety and security.
DeletePioneer settlement was a difficult and daunting prospect anywhere, but the prairies must have presented incredible challenges unique to the region. The first winter especially must have been a challenge, to say the least.
ReplyDeleteThey had ben in Manitoba with people who had been here for a few years so they had some experience with frigid winters. It was also cold in the Ukraine.
DeleteYour accounts are quite wonderful in their detail.
ReplyDeleteThankyou. It's surprising what info shows up.
DeleteStories like this make one realize what an easy time a lot of us have these days!
ReplyDeleteWe don't experience their challenges but there are many modern day tough decisions.
DeleteI've driven across the US and Canada many times camping out along the way and found those journeys to be long and arduous. Reading this makes me see how lucky and easy it was. Thank you for writing this down.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot of history. So I've read about the early visitors here. There were two missionaries who really were tough. Check out John McDougal
DeleteI can imagine how hard it was to start life like that. Imagine how bad it must have been before!
ReplyDeleteGood point. They were happy to find peace. Climate conditions were also fairly harsh in the Ukraine.
DeleteI think earlier people knew how to face challenges and still stay grateful
ReplyDeleteI am scared of future when more facilities and luxury will make people even more lazy and ungrateful
Most scary thing is that they will be cut away completely from nature which can turn humans into zombies
Your last sentence is extremely important. People have to experience the natural world.
DeleteThat is such an interesting story of how they traveled to the homestead. It had to be very difficult especially with children and wild stock. The early settlers really deserve our respect and admiration for what they went through. Thanks for sharing Red.
ReplyDeleteSome things in their lives were very basic. Their food was very simple. No fancy cakes!
DeleteNow my son and his wife and his 2 boys will travel in an SUV with little video screens to keep the boys occupied and entertained! A cellphone connected to a dashboard screen will give my son, the driver, directions aloud as they come to my home about 2 hours away. Amazing changes since your ancestors traveled! Love your stories, Red! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteYes, changes have been made. I would think that they would also note changes in their time. telephone, railroads, cars...
DeleteHi Red, In an earlier post you mentioned Carollynn Leggott who worked on the Klein genealogy, and Virginia Beihn for writing many stories down. It is interesting the way these stories are being moved forward. I was curious to see if Carollynn or Virginia had posted anything about Gottlieb on the internet. I did find information posted by Carollynn which includes a photo of him. Here is a link ...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203519317/gottlieb-klein
There is also a picture of Gottlieb's grave stone at that site. There is even more info on Gottlieb in a site called WikiTree. You may be interested in this.
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Klein-3376
Thanks for sharing all the history. As a railfan I especially enjoyed reading about how they moved by using a rail freight car. That had to be quite an experience.
I use these sites and it's interesting that you have found the sites. In 1909 a rail road was built that came within 3 miles of their place. Then they could start selling any grain that they raised.
DeleteAnd it was quite an adventure! My husbands relatives came by train also...in the early 1900's. They didn't bring animals but had an auction before they left, I suppose to buy new critters...plus that they came in January...:)
ReplyDeletethere may have been much more available in Minnesota at that time. With these people there was nothing available at that time.
DeleteTravel in those days was a long and hard journey. Great story!
ReplyDeleteYes it was slow but they had not experienced anything else.
DeleteI sure enjoy hearing about what it was like back then. Homesteaders sure had to be hardy to tackle their environments, and you tell the story well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little kid many of the pioneers were still around and they told their stories. I only remember some of their stories.
DeleteThese are interesting stories. I just cannot imagine doing this. I am a fragile snowflake, I guess!
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with sod and log homes. Please talk a little more of clay houses. Thanks, Red.
ReplyDeleteI really am enjoying your stories! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Laurie. These people didn't have much medical care available.
ReplyDeleteThe railroad must have seemed like a miracle to those people!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the glimpse into the past. I can't imagine living in those times, those conditions. Man, those people were tough!
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoy your bite-sized bits of social history. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt could be a hard life.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy learning about what people went through to have a better life. Such interesting stories!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed more wonderful details! It’s interesting to imagine what the trip must have been like for the travelers in those days. Not very comfortable, I’m sure.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's just amazing what our ancestors went through to make a living. You should write a book, Red.
ReplyDelete