So, its 1852 and you think you want to be heading west to visit the kinfolk for the Holidays and maybe do some gold digging while you’re there. Well you’re going to need something to tote all your stuff in. Now, some folks used their old farm wagons, while others bought something new for the occasion, others came pushing their belongings in carts and then some others without family or no stuff at all just rode the trail on horseback. But since you might be one of stuff toting crowd I'll give you some basic wagon instructions.

Let's get started.

 Your wagon bed should be made of hardwood to prevent shrinkage as you go through the arid plains, and while you're busy putting it together remember to calk the seams because at times your wagon will be used as a boat. Wheels should be smaller at the front for navigational ease making sure these too are of hardwood and have an iron tire around the edge. When you’re done with that, then soak 4 or 5 wooden bows until pliable and bend them to build the framework to hold your canvas top. Ah, yes the topper. Sew together a double thickness of canvas then coat it with linseed oil to waterproof. While you have your needle out you might want to sew a few pockets along the inside to hold your smaller items. Drape this over the bows on the wagon and remember to overlap at the ends to prevent leakage and control dust. Then let's attach a jockey box on the outside somewhere to carry our spare wagon parts and tools such as; iron bolts, lynch pins, skeins and paint bands for axles, hickory wedges, chisels, saw, knife, nails, tacks, hoop iron (no idea what this is),a hole punch for making holes in the hoop iron, augers, jack and assorted hand tools.

Now, while you're out there attaching stuff to your wagon might as well add; the butter churn, water barrels, chicken coop, shovel, ax and feed trough.

Well you're almost done. So what do you figure is going to pull your wagon of stuff? Sorry, the reindeer have a labor union and can't pull out of season. It seems you'll need a team of oxen.

Three would be nice, at about 3-5 years of age, and don't forget to build in about three weeks to train them. They will cost about 225.00

The Wagon Cheat Sheet

 Total Length.....25 feet
Total Height................10 feet
Width of Track.......................5'2"
Weight Empty..............................1300 lbs
Wagon Box Height.........................2' 6 "
Wagon Box Length...................12'
Wagon Box Width.................3' 6"
Front Wheel..................44"
Rear Wheel..................50"

Provisions 

12 sacks flour ..............36.00
400 pounds bacon........40.00
100 pounds coffee.........30.00
yeast powder........5.00
50 pounds salt........1.00
3 pounds pepper........50 cents
2 bushel of beans...........3.00
15 gallons vinegar.......4.00
50 pounds lard.....5.00
200 pounds sugar.......25.00
4 bushels dried apples......6.00
1 bushel dried peaches.........2.00
50 pounds rice........5.00 
 Total Cost..........162.50

 This is a basic list for one person. Some of the items can vary depending on personal taste, but better not stray too far from these items. Sorry, but chocolate won't make it across the plains in summer, but there will also be points along the way where you may be able to trade or purchase extra snacks, but it will be costly.

What's with all the coffee? There were places on the trail that the water was so bad with bugs and slime, and a general bad smell that the only way to get folks to drink it was to disguise it with the flavor of strong coffee. Everybody drank coffee, kids too!

Another clever idea is to bring along a milk cow. But don't forget, you have to feed and water her too, so add in for extra feed, plus it will slow you down some having to keep track of her.

Other Handy Stuff (if you had the room)

 candles (40 lbs) 
matches 
coffee mill 
coffee pots (2)
tin cups and plates 
frying pans (2) 
butcher knives (2)
knives, forks, spoons 
kettles
bread pans (2)

Real from the Trail Medical Tips
(please do not try these)

Sore Throat- bake onions in an open fireplace then tie them around your neck
Arthritis- a magnet will draw it out and make you feel better
Asthma- suck salt water up your nose, or if you don't like that swallow a handful of spider webs that have been rolled up in a ball.
Bleeding- apply lampblack to the wound
Foot Cramps- turn your shoes upside down before going to bed.
Headache- tie a flour sack on your head

Christmas Voices from the Oregon Trail

Even if you got it all planned out, packed to perfection, and were to enjoy a smooth, healthy and uneventful trip, you had one last little issue to contend with.  The calendar.  You could not set out too early in the spring for there would not be enough feed for the livestock and you could not wait too long for it was always the goal to reach your destination by at least October.  The fickle autumn weather could easily change to winter in a matter of hours, leaving entire parties stranded as mountain roads were rendered impassable by blowing snow. These feeble wagons offered little protection from the freezing wind.  Wood, when it could be found beneath the frozen snow was often useless.  Most who were unlucky enough to be in this position did not survive, but there were a handful that was able to withstand the elements, the mind-numbing fear and utter hopelessness of the situation. They come to us now through their journal writings and share feelings and images of a tremendous journey of hardships in the context of our most beloved celebration. Christmas.  

Taken from the book History of Christmas in the Old West:

  Death Valley
1849

"The men killed an ox and we had Christmas dinner of fresh meat, black coffee and very little bread. I had one small biscuit. You see, we were on short rations then and didn't know how long we would have to make provisions last. We did not know we were in California. Nobody knew what untold misery the morrow might bring, so there was no occasion for cheer.

Fred Carr said to me that night, "Don't you think you and the children had better remain here and let us send back for you?'

I knew what was on his mind. “No, I said, "I have never been a hindrance, I have never kept the company waiting neither have my children, and every step I take will be toward California...”

Then I was troubled no more. As the men gathered around the blazing campfire they asked Mr. Brier to speak to them-remind them of home-though they were thinking of home fast enough anyway. So he made them a speech. It was a solemn gathering in a strange place."

Julia Brier

 Donner Lake
1846

"The Donners were camped in Alder creek valley below the lake, and were, if possible in worse conditions than ourselves. ... The misery endured during those four months at Donner Lake in our little dark cabins under the snow would fill the pages and make the coldest heart ache. Christmas was near, but to the starving its memory gave no comfort... It came and past with-out observance, but my mother had determined weeks before that her children should have a treat on this day. She had laid away a few dried apples, some beans, a bit of tripe, and a small piece of bacon. When this hoarded store was brought out, the delight of the little ones knew no bounds. The cooking was watched carefully, and when we sat down to our Christmas dinner mother said "Children, eat slowly, for this one day you can have all you wish." So bitter was the misery relieved by that one bright day that I have never since sat down to a Christmas dinner without my thoughts going back to Donner Lake."

Virginia Reed Murphy