Page 4 - MWC 4-23-20s
P. 4
The Midwest Cattleman · April 23, 2020 · P4
Some turned back.
Some knew the
way, but most had
no idea where they
were on the map –
early on there was
no map. They were
in uncharted terri-
tory. They couldn’t
leave too early be-
cause there had to
be grass for the ani-
It was 119 days from In- mals along the way.
dependence, Missouri to They couldn’t leave
Santa Fe, New Mexico. too late because
Winter would come.
It was 119 days from Inde- But they left. Many
pendence, Missouri to Santa left homes and pos-
Fe, New Mexico in a covered sessions. Many left
wagon with wooden wheels family – never to see
pulled by some oxen or mules. them again. Those
In the wagon, in many cases, who stayed lost fam- trail and two ways to go – for- to go. Leaders and losers will
was everything those people ily as well – sons, daughters, ward or back. emerge. There is no turning
owned. Some rode, but the loved ones. There were no There was certainly a lot back. Some may lose their
truth is – many walked most phones, no email, no video they didn’t have on that trail, way. They will need your help.
of the way. chats or conference calls – no during those 119 days. What With our eyes focused on
There was no running water Zoom. Occasionally some- did they have? Why would the horizon - putting one foot
except the creeks and rivers one would get a letter from a sensible, intelligent people in front of the other, the cour-
they had to ford or swim to get loved-one who had made the leave their home and families, age, will, and determination
on the other side. Often, the trip. The message would be put everything they owned in in our DNA, and our faith in
only stops were to wait for the weeks, maybe even months a wagon, and risk it all- ev- God will see us through the
river to go down before they old. That was ‘real time’ in erything they have – includ- next 119 days.
could cross. There was no hot their time. ing their very lives on such a
water unless they heated it Some lost what few posses- trip? They had something, or “Therefore we also, since
on an open fire. They slept on sions they had along the way they would have stayed home. we are surrounded by so
the ground – night after night – some lost their lives. It’s no They had it or they would great a cloud of witness-
after night. There was no wonder. There were no high- have turned back. They had es, let us lay aside every
refrigeration so they carried ways, no roads, no bridges, no something or they simply weight, and the sin which
most everything they would air-conditioned rest stops – wouldn’t have made it. so easily ensnares us, and
eat. The only fresh meat is no air conditioned anything. Whatever is was. We need let us run with endurance
what they caught or killed, They were outside. They were to find it. the race that is set before
and then butchered and then outside when it rained. They We too are in uncharted us,”
cooked along the way. There were outside when it snowed. territory. There is no map. Heb 12:1-2
were no grocery stores full or They were outside when it There is grass for the ani- NKJV
empty – no Casey’s or 7-Elev- stormed, when the wind blew mals, and everything we own
en’s. Only a trail and two and when the sun’s hot rays is in the wagon. We’re on the KwC
ways to go - forward or back. beat down. There was only a trail and there are two ways
The Santa Fe Trail followed a trade route established by the Pecos Indians. These wagon
ruts are still embedded in the prairie soil across Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.
