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Monday, February 10, 2014

Stories Come From Some Unexpected Places

RULES AND REGULATIONS, BY WHICH TO CONDUCT WAGON TRAINS. (DRAWN BY OXEN ON THE PLAINS) by TOM C. CRANMER
Likewise setting forth the Duties of Wagon Master, Assistant Wagon Master, Mounted Extra-Hand, Teamsters, Night Herders, Caviyard Driver, &c., &c.

The short pamphlet by the above name was first published in 1866. It was endorsed by fourteen gentlemen who knew Mr. Cranmer “to have had sufficient experience to render him capable of forming The Regulations…”

I found a reprint at the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri. My dh and I happened upon the museum quite by accident. We were spending the weekend in Kansas City, and since we love to turn every opportunity into a research trip, we traveled to nearby Independence. A quick search showed a restored train depot, which we enjoyed. But as we were driving away, the Frontier Trails Museum caught our eye. And what a find!

Recreations of frontier settings, wagons, general stores, lists of supplies recommended for a family undertaking the journey west, a pictorial timeline of westward travel… It was a treasure trove of information. We even topped off our visit with a ride in a covered wagon, pulled by a pair of silky-eared mules.

This little pamphlet gave me the idea for Coming Home, my story in the Hearts and Spurs anthology. While I took the liberty of adding a security guard as one of the train’s company, Mr. Cranmer provides some amazing details for writers like me who love all this history.



9 comments:

  1. How wonderful to live near some of these amazing museums. Wasn't Mark Twain from Independence, Missouri? Sounds like a fun experience...and you accomplished some research. Through experiencing we can write a better scene and bring it to life for readers, like that ride in a covered wagon.
    I enjoyed reading your blog and your road trip, Tracy.

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  2. Mark (Sam Clements) was from Hannibal, MO. Across the state. I love having this type of history in my newly adopted home state. There's so much history to learn!

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  3. I just love finding these great 'pieces' of information and history. There is such wealth in so few words. ( Or in some cases lots of words). Thanks for letting me know about anther great place to stop. (Grew up about 70 miles from where Sam had his childhood and the Mississippi river is old stopping grounds) Doris

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    1. Hi, Doris! Glad I could give you another "vacation in your back yard" idea.

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  4. Tracy, what fun! I love to discover little out of the way places like that. I remember we went to visit my great aunt and uncle one year in Aurora MO when I was about 9 or 10 and we ended visiting George Washington Carver's home, and the Shepherd of the Hills, which made it all more interesting, but I wish I'd been a little older to have appreciated that more. LOL Would love to get my dh out for a research trip or two! Sounds like you found a treasure trove!
    Cheryl

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    1. Cheryl, between the Steamship Arabia museum in Kansas City, and this one in Independence, it was a really fun research trip. Can't wait to go back.

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  5. hi Tracy, don't you love undiscovered gems? We ended up at the mining museum in Leadville CO and it was sooo interesting! Love your story! xo

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  6. Tracy, what a neat post. History I wasn't aware of. Thanks for sharing. Big hugs to all you all, P

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  7. Tracy, don't you just love finding these unexpected finds? I have to be careful around museums, because I have a tendency to spend too much time in them staring at small details. :-D

    I get a kick out of the never-ending titles on old booklets and pamphlets, too. Imagine trying to fit something like the title above on a book or pamphlet today. Just reading the front would wear a person out. :-D

    Great post, as always. HUGS, sweetie!

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