Debra Wrote: >>>Lee, In your reply to Judy Smith you wrote: "Before the road through Cumberland Gap was completed settlers used pack horses and shafts of poles pulled by the horses." What exactly are these? Thanks, Debra<<< The poles were strong young trees cut from the woods and were fastened to the harness on the horse, one pole on each side of the horse and long enough to drag behind. The load to be hauled was placed on the poles and secured so that brush along the trail would not drag it off. This placed half of the load on the ground and half on the horses back, allowing each horse to haul more than if it were place on the back of the horse. The ends of the poles would slide over the rocks and short stumps along the trail and did not require a road as wide as needed for a wagon... G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va.