My presentation is about the perils that the pioneers faced along the Oregon Trail. Among the many hardships they endured, this presentation covers some of the most dangerous ones; such as, river crossings, food shortages, diseases and sicknesses, accidents, facing the weather, and indian attacks. I chose this topic because I wanted to educate my audience about the hardships that the pioneers faced. Seeing what they went through really makes a person be thankful for everything that they have.

1. The Oregon Trail
By Ashley Kersey

2. The Oregon Trail covered more than 1,900 miles and
stretched across over half of the United States. It has
been called our nations longest graveyard and
contributed to over 65,000 deaths in 25 years.

3. Perils of the Trail
• River Crossings
• Food Shortages
• Disease and sickness
• Shootings
• Wagon Accidents
• Facing the elements
• Indian Encounters

4. Deschutes River Crossing
“The Oregon Trail crossed the hazardous Deschutes River at this point by floating
the prairie schooners and swimming the livestock.”

5. Snakes River Crossing
“The river was six to eight feet deep, but its clarity was deceptive,
making it appear shallower. Combined with its swift current, this was
generally considered the most treacherous river crossing on the
entire Trail.”

6. Starvation and Food Shortages
Although at times the settlers had to face starvation it was mainly the
animals that perished.

7. One person said "Looked starvation in the face. I have seen men
on passing an animal that has starved to death on the plains, stop
and cut out a steak, roast and eat it and call it delicious.“- Clark
Thompson, 1850

8. Sicknesses
The disease with the worst reputation was Asiatic cholera,
known as the "unseen destroyer."

9. "First of all I would mention the sickness we have had and I am sorry to say the
deaths. First of all Francis Freel died June 4, 1852, and Maria Freel followed the 6th,
next came Polly Casner who died the 9th and LaFayette Freel soon followed, he died
the 10th, Elizabeth Freel, wife of Amos [and Martha's mother] died the 11th, and her
baby died the 17th. You see we have lost 7 persons in a few short days, all died of
Cholera."
- Martha Freel, June 23, 1852

10. Malaria
Malaria was so bad in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa that some of the
medical experts at the time said that those states would never be
able to hold a permanent settlement.

11. Diphtheria
Diphtheria was caused by contaminated food and caused
the most deaths in the children.

12. Shooting Accidents
Accidental shootings were very common on the trail but luckily the
number of murders were few.
Usually the shootings would consist of someone shooting themselves,
oxen, or a trail member.

13. Wagon Accidents
One of the most prominent accidents occurred from wagon related
injuries. The result would usually be broken bones but in a few cases it
would be fatal.

14. According to Virgil Pringle (1846), "Mr. Collins' son George, about
six years old, fell from the wagon, and the wheels ran over his
head killing him instantly, the remainder of the day occupied in
burying him."

15. Weather
The settlers were faced with many obstacles from the weather.
Some were killed because they were struck by large hail the size
of baseballs.

16. Dust Storms
“The dust on the Trail itself could be two or three inches deep
and as fine as flour.”

17. Large amounts of Snow
The settlers had to plan their voyage carefully because in
the winter the mountain passes would be closed due to
the large amounts of snow fall.

18. Summers on the Trail
Severe thunderstorms caused half a dozen setters to
be struck by lightening.

19. The Indians
“Tales of hostile encounters far overshadowed actual incidents,
and relations between emigrants and Indians were further
complicated by trigger-happy emigrants.”

20. “The Ward Train, for instance, was attacked by Shoshones
who tortured and murdered nineteen emigrants. One boy
escaped with an arrow in his side.”

21. Works Cited
www.stockgraphix.com. The Oregon Trail Map. Graphic Picture. RVVirginDot.com. Snowbird Headquarters, July 5, 2010. Web .
November 5, 2011.
n.p. Life and Death on the Oregon Trail. Oregon-California Trail Association, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
Crumlish, Paul. “Wide View of the Deschutes River Crossing the Marker.” Photograph. Deschutes River Crossing. The
Historical Marker Database, August 19, 2010. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. Oregon Trail Mileposts. Oregon-California Trail Association, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
Milliken, Chuck. “Farewell Bend.” Photograph. Photo Images Along the Oregon Trail. National Park Services , n.p. Web.
November 5, 2011.
Jackson, William. “.Along the North Platte River, Oregon Trail.” Photograph. Digging In The Historic Trails of Nebraska.
Bringham Young University, n.p. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. Life and Death. Historic Oregon City, 2008. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. “Emigrant Family.” Photograph. Historical Trails. National Oregon/California Trail Center, n.p. Web. November 5, 2011
Sublette County Historical Society. Oregon Trail Grave Marker. 1944. Sublette County, Wyoming. The Pioneer Graves of
Sublette County. Sculpture. November 5, 2011.
Badzioch, Christopher. “Malaria Killer.” Photograph. Should DDT Be Used to Combat Malaria? Scientific American, May 4, 2009. Web.
November 5, 2011.

22. Works Cited continued:
n.p. Doctors and Diseases on the Oregon Trail. Historic Oregon City, 2008. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. “Deaths Along the Trail.” Graphic Picture. Historical Trails. National Oregon/California Trail Center, 2010. Web. November 5, 2011.
Honeycutt, Mimi. Diseases People Had on the Trail. Ehow Health, May 5, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
Benton, Thomas. “Chapter XV: The Hunting Camp.” Graphic Picture. The Oregon Trail Illustrations. University of Virginia, 2009. Web.
November 5, 2011.
Tolerico, Diana. “Across Nebraska.” Picture. Life on the Open Road. Diana Tolerico, August 27,2008. Blog. November 5, 2011.
n.p. “Accidents and Illness.” Oregon/California Trails Association, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
Whitton, Gary. “Pioneer Wagon Wheels.” Photograph. Dreamstime. Dreamstime Inc, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
Morganti, Brian. “HP Super cell b- Yuma.” Photograph. 2008 Chase Images. Storm Effects. 2008. Web. November 5, 2011.
Underwood, Todd. Frontier Trails of The Old West. Jeu Publishing, 2000. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. Dust Storm Near Beaver, Oklahoma. July 14, 1935. Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, New York. Great Depression Picture: A Dust Storm
in Oklahoma. Photograph. November 5, 2011.
n.p. “Map of the Trail.” Map. Oregon Trail. Bandersnog Int, 2005. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. Chest of Hardships and Challenges. Oracle Think Quest, 2002. Web. November 5, 2011.
Miller, Shannon. “Summer Storms.” Photograph. Oregon Star Party’s Lightening Tree. Oregon Star Party, 2004. Web. November 5, 2011.

23. Works Cited continued
n.p. The Oregon Trail. Boettcher/Trinklein Inc, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.
n.p. “Friendly Indians Following Wagon trail.” Graphic Image. Historical Trails. National Oregon/California Trail Center, 2010. Web.
November 5, 2011.
Russell, Charles. “Attack on a Wagon Train.” Painting. Attack on a Wagon Train. 1st Art Gallery, 2011. Web. November 5, 2011.