Casper still had 300.00 in cash by the time he assembled two wagons,seven yoke of oxen and fifteen cows, with all the rest of the necessities. John had a like amount . Young Andrew Rickard did not hesitate about deciding to go along . To everyone's surprise,Michael Kime decided sell out and join the family caravan to Oregon .His wife ,Lucy Catherine Hutchison had died 2 years before. There was a last visit to her grave in the Wilson cemetery near the schoolhouse. A third daughter, Elizabeth and her husband George Schultz had already planned to go west, as had a son James Kime, and his wife Mary Margaret Smith and their four small children . The next morning they set off with Casper Rickard leading the way.As the oldest son he had been the natural leader, and his brothers and the Kimes were willing to follow .Seven wagons and considerable loose stock made up their little train. It was important to have spare oxen and horses,as well as cows for milk and cottage cheese . Progress went slow, but steady.Before the month of March was out ,many of them were sick,and two of of the little children had died,possibly from cholera .They were John Henry,oldest son of Casper and Catherine,and Delphina,daughter of John and Susaannah . Casper and Catherine had their picture taken at St Joseph , Missouri,where they crossed the Missouri River,out of " the states " and into the territories. FRom there the party followed the Lodi Trail almost due west until they came to the Platte River , to join the usual route along the north bank. At the forks of the trail was a trading post kept by a half -breed.While they were encamped with other small trains at that point, a hired driver stole a mule and went on ahead,but the trader sent a indian to track the thief and bring him back. Linda , more tomorrow -- Linda Rogers

Very interesting. Kay In a message dated 01/28/10 21:38:24 Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Casper still had 300.00 in cash by the time he assembled two wagons,seven yoke of oxen and fifteen cows, with all the rest of the necessities. John had a like amount . Young Andrew Rickard did not hesitate about deciding to go along . To everyone's surprise,Michael Kime decided sell out and join the family caravan to Oregon .His wife ,Lucy Catherine Hutchison had died 2 years before. There was a last visit to her grave in the Wilson cemetery near the schoolhouse. A third daughter, Elizabeth and her husband George Schultz had already planned to go west, as had a son James Kime, and his wife Mary Margaret Smith and their four small children . The next morning they set off with Casper Rickard leading the way.As the oldest son he had been the natural leader, and his brothers and the Kimes were willing to follow .Seven wagons and considerable loose stock made up their little train. It was important to have spare oxen and horses,as well as cows for milk and cottage cheese . Progress went slow, but steady.Before the month of March was out ,many of them were sick,and two of of the little children had died,possibly from cholera .They were John Henry,oldest son of Casper and Catherine,and Delphina,daughter of John and Susaannah . Casper and Catherine had their picture taken at St Joseph , Missouri,where they crossed the Missouri River,out of " the states " and into the territories. FRom there the party followed the Lodi Trail almost due west until they came to the Platte River , to join the usual route along the north bank. At the forks of the trail was a trading post kept by a half -breed.While they were encamped with other small trains at that point, a hired driver stole a mule and went on ahead,but the trader sent a indian to track the thief and bring him back. Linda , more tomorrow -- Linda Rogers ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message