Oregon Trail Quotes
Helen Carpenter
In 1857, Helen Carpenter wrote about the endless chores a woman had to perform during the trip. She wrote with revealing detail and humor.
"Although there is not much to cook, the difficulty and inconvenience in doing it amounts to a great deal. Then there is washing to be done and light bread to make and all kinds of odd jobs. Some women have very little help around the camp. Being obliged to get the wood and water, make campfires, unpack at night and pack up in the morning." 1857
In 1857, Helen Carpenter wrote about the endless chores a woman had to perform during the trip. She wrote with revealing detail and humor.
"Although there is not much to cook, the difficulty and inconvenience in doing it amounts to a great deal. Then there is washing to be done and light bread to make and all kinds of odd jobs. Some women have very little help around the camp. Being obliged to get the wood and water, make campfires, unpack at night and pack up in the morning." 1857
Rebecca Ketchum
"I almost wonder how I could have undertaken such an expedition. I was in good spirits and little daunted by the vastness of my enterprise." 1853
"Camille and I both burnt our arms very badly while washing. They were red and swollen and painfol. Our hands are blacker than any farmers. And I do not see that there is any way of preventing it. For everything has to be done in wind and sun." 1853
"I almost wonder how I could have undertaken such an expedition. I was in good spirits and little daunted by the vastness of my enterprise." 1853
"Camille and I both burnt our arms very badly while washing. They were red and swollen and painfol. Our hands are blacker than any farmers. And I do not see that there is any way of preventing it. For everything has to be done in wind and sun." 1853