History comes alive each June as a wagon train leaves Ft. Seward, an old U.S. Cavalry post in North Dakota.
The week-long trip, which was scheduled to begin yesterday,is taking 150 paying participants into the American West of the 1800s from the fort northwest of Jamestown, which is on Interstate Highway 94 about 100 miles east of Bismarck.
The travel experience is close to what the words ”wagon train” probably conjure up in the mind`s eye: canvas-covered box wagons with iron-rimmed wooden wheels snaking through tall prairie grass under the vast North Dakota sky.
Outriders on saddle horses paralleling the wagons while pioneer walkers string out in scattered bunches.
Founded in 1969, the Ft. Seward Wagon Train originally began as a one-time historical project by residents interested in preserving the history of North Dakota. They wanted to re-create the atmosphere and experiences of our early settlers as they journeyed West.
An authentic ride was planned with participants sharing all responsibilities as was the custom on the wagon trains of the 1800s.
Heritage preservation
”That trip made us all aware that what we were doing was not just re-living North Dakota history,” recalled Jean Miller, one of the directors of what is now Ft. Seward Inc.
”We felt we were preserving part of our national heritage. We decided it was important to keep the wagon train going.”
The non-profit group has organized the trip annually ever since.
This year`s wagon train-a Kulm centennial ride-is taking the would-be pioneers through some of the territory protected by the soldiers of old Ft. Seward and to the site of the White Stone Massacre of 1863 near Kulm.
As much as possible, the route winds through private lands and a national wildlife refuge, providing a sampling of virgin prairie wilderness. The area is rich in history, surface Indian artifacts and scenic beauty.
The Conestoga-type wagons are the main mode of transportation for this adventure, with staff members working as teamsters.
Many participants bring their own saddle horses, or arrangements can be made in advance to rent them from local ranchers.
Families and individuals are assigned to a wagon, which is their daytime home, but tents are sleeping quarters.
Period clothing is required, including long dresses and bonnets for the ladies and Western wear for the men.
The wagon train is necessarily a community of people dependent upon one another for survival.
Chores are shared daily, with everyone performing duties such as chopping wood, cooking and serving food, clean up and picket line.
”But no one is overworked,” said Ramrod Delno Kleinkneckt with a smile. ”Our days allow lots of time for fun.”
Days begin early
The daily schedule of the wagon train begins while the day is still young. Fire-builders and cooks rise early and awaken the rest of camp with the music of banging pans and cast iron skillets.
The tempting aromas of strong coffee and steaming hot chocolate tease bleary-eyed campers from their tents.
Hearty breakfasts of flapjacks, sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs and oatmeal are cooked over open pitfires. Afterwards, camping gear is packed and stowed for the day`s journey.
After the trail boss signals the train to ”Move `em out!” in Ward Bond fashion, wagons, riders and walkers string out leisurely in a long line. Conversations become intense and animated. Laughter is boisterous. And the miles begin to melt away.
The train averages 3 to 4 miles an hour with breaks in the forenoon, at noon with a cold lunch of sandwiches and fruit fixed at the chuck wagon and again in mid-afternoon.
The wagons are circled at the evening campsite, horses and mules unhitched and cared for while camp is set up and supper preparations are begun. Then comes leisure time to stretch out and rest weary feet.
Activities involving arts and crafts and nature lore spring up, many designed specifically for children. Indian beading is a particularly popular craft with the youngsters.
The chuck wagon becomes a beehive of activity as the evening meal is prepared. Dinner cooks attend bubbling pots of such favorites as fried bread and real buffalo stew, stirring up savory aromas that entice trail riders into the prairie kitchen.
Food is plentiful
When dinner is ready, the ringing of a triangle calls the rest of camp to a quickly formed chow line. Appetites are healthy after a long day on the trail, and food is never skimpy.
The day ends with entertainment around a crackling campfire where pioneers share original skits, songs of yesteryear, games, practical jokes and some tall-tale-telling.
All participants are encouraged to bring their musical instruments and creative ideas to share.
In years past, unique activities have been offered regularly.
One year a couple who had met on a previous wagon train trip were married on the prairie, and the event was televised nationally.
On another ride a buffalo burial ground afforded the opportunity for a
”dig” yielding 100-year-old buffalo bones as souvenirs.
”What a treasure I have to take home with me!” said Eleanor Hoch, a school teacher from Williamsville, N.Y., beaming as she displayed a buffalo jawbone lined with well-worn teeth.
One of the most pleasant aspects of the trip, especially to urban participants, is the snail`s pace crossing of open prairie. The ringing of the telephone is replaced with the meadowlark`s song, city smells with the gentle fragrance of the prairie rose, North Dakota`s state flower.
The leisurely pace affords the pioneers time to dream, think and wonder.
Mother Nature provides not only beauty to the modern settlers. Weather is always unpredictable, and coping with a severe storm out on the open prairie can present a real challenge.
It certainly brings forth a realization and appreciation of the courage and strength that our early pioneers had.
Route varies
People from more than 25 of the 50 states have joined individuals from Canada, Mexico and Britain for the trek.
The 100-mile-plus trip offers a different trail each year over as much open prairie as possible and always is routed through ”Indian Territory” to complete the adventure.
Carol Sanderson of England has returned twice for the adventure of the American Pioneer Experience offered by the Ft. Seward Wagon Train.
”I`ve read a lot about your American West,” she said. ”These holidays really let me live a little of it.”
A week-long scavenger hunt provides competition among the wagon families and keeps eyes sharp. Although it changes from year to year, the items required always include native plants and artifacts.
A member of a local historical society travels with the train to provide colorful anecdotes and information about North Dakota characters and events that gives perspective and deeper insight into the week`s adventure.
”I`ve gotten to do some of the things my great-grandpa did when his mom and dad brought him to America,” said Joey Ziskovsky, 13, of Shoreview, Minn. ”I think it`s neat. It`s like going back in a time machine.”
The wagon train trip is open to single people as well as families. Participants have ranged from 5 months to more than 80 years. Physically handicapped people have taken the trip, and a medic and radio-equipped ambulance accompany the train at all times.
Base fees for this seven-day adventure are $250 for each person 19 years of age and older, $175 for each person 13 to 18 and $125 for anyone 12 and under. A 10 percent discount is available to immediate families of four or more registrants. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
The fees cover everything one needs for the week except clothing, a tent and sleeping gear. Registration for next year will be accepted until June 1 or until 150 registrations are received, whichever comes first.
Greyhound Bus Lines serve Chicago and Jamestown, and major airlines out of the Chicago`s O`Hare International Airport can make connections in Minneapolis or Denver to Jamestown.
Those who drive to Ft. Seward can leave their cars at the local police station for the duration of the trail ride. Inquiries can be sent to Ft. Seward Inc., Box 244, Jamestown, N.D. 58401.
