A Fresh Start
(The story of early pioneers)
This story, while fictional, is based on the writings of Nancy Wisner, a settler in the mid 1800’s.
"If we have to eat stew for one more meal, I’m going to throw up," ten year-old Sarah whispered to her brother Adam who was two years older than her as they sat around the dinner table.
"Be quiet, Sarah. At least we have something to eat." Adam replied, although he was just as sick of it as Sarah was.
The Carlson family had moved out west to northern Nebraska only three months ago from their home in Rush County, Indiana. Sarah and Adam were the oldest in this family of seven, so they took care of their younger siblings, Caleb, Peter and Emily. The move to Nebraska had been hard for the whole family. The Carlson’s loaded up their covered wagon and fell in line with the 20 or so other wagons headed west. The road was hot and dusty and sometimes dangerous. Abby Carlson and her husband John were looking for a new life out west where they could work the land and raise their family—sort of a fresh start for this young couple and their children. As the Carlson’s began to settle in, they were learning a lot about life on the prairie.
The Carlson’s settled about 10 miles outside of a little town. As more and more settlers began moving west, the little town was growing. Still, just beyond the edges of town lay miles and miles of open land just waiting to be developed. And that was exactly what the Carlson’s had planned to do.
John built his family a sod house for the time being. He began to build a barn with the help of other men in the area. A few miles north of the Carlson’s lived another young family from Ohio, the Johnson family. The Johnson’s and Carlson’s had become good friends over the past couple of months, spending many evenings and Sundays together. Abby Carlson and Grace Johnson would sit together, sewing and knitting and exchange stories of life on the prairie, as their children played outdoors and their husbands talked of farming ideas and building plans.
The Carlson’s prayed over their supper and then began eating.
"Sammy Johnson said he saw Indians the other day," little Emily piped up, her big blue eyes open wide.
"He was just saying that to scare you, Em," Sarah retorted. "Even if there are Indians, there’s nothing to worry about." Right, Pa?
"We’ll be fine," Mr. Carlson replied. "I have heard talk of Indians nearby, but there haven’t been any attacks. We just need to keep to ourselves and trust the Lord to protect us."
"And besides, school is starting soon and you won’t have much time to be thinking about Indians and such," Mrs. Carlson reminded them. "I talked to Mrs. Johnson today and she told me there is a little schoolhouse a couple of miles from here where the other children are gathering this year. A teacher, Miss Bennett, has moved here just a few weeks ago and she will be teaching you."
A quiet sigh escaped from between little Caleb’s lips. Abby Carlson smiled.
"Don’t worry, Caleb. I’ve heard Miss Bennett is very nice, and Micah Johnson will be going to school too."
Caleb’s expression immediately changed. Later that night, Abby and John Carlson sat around the fire after all the children had gone to bed. They were happy and content and glad that God had brought them to this place. Although life on the prairie was going to be very difficult, the Carlson’s had what many would call "the pioneer spirit." They were ready for the challenges that lay ahead, and ready to meet those challenges with determination and persistence.
Sources:
http://www.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/articles/cobb.htm –"Nancy Wisner’s Recollection of Pioneer Life"
Personal Knowledge
Comprehension Questions
- The Carlson family moved from northern Indiana to northern Nebraska. How many states were they in from start to finish on their trip?
- What was a reason the Carlson’s wanted to move out West?
- How many miles did the Carlson’s live from the nearest town?
- What is the "pioneer spirit?"
- If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you want to move and why?
Teacher’s Page
Amanda Schmuck
"A Fresh Start"
Outline
- Family Dinner Scene
- The Move Out West
- Travelling conditions
- Reasons for leaving
- Settling in on the Prairie
- Built sod house
- Finding new friends
- Threat of Indians
- School soon starts
- Reflection
- Realizing challenges ahead
- Pioneer Spirit
Props:
Pictures of covered wagons, sod homes, other things related to life on the prairie
Map of United States
Comprehension Question Answers
- Four states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska
- They were looking for a new life where they could work the land and raise their family—a fresh start.
- Ten miles
- It’s the attitude of realizing the challenges that lay ahead, and being ready to meet those challenges with determination and persistence; the excitement of a new life, the willingness to go to new and exciting places
- Answers will vary
Lesson Extension
Discuss modern day "pioneers" and those that exhibit the pioneer spirit in today’s world. Have them write an essay about someone they think is a modern day pioneer, or what it takes to be a modern day pioneer.