To Travel and Live Out of a Wagon
To travel and live out of a wagon for a long period meant planning and preparation. One must take quantities of flour, salt, sugar, lard, coffee or tea. These items could not be purchased en route. Based on the size of your family and the estimated two years on the road, you would need large quantities of supplies.Pioneers were very ingenious. The cows traveled with them and when they were milked at night the milk was left to separate. When the cream rose to the top it was skimmed and put in the churn. The churn was lashed securely to the tailgate or side of the wagon. Bread ingredients were mixed and placed in a covered container. The container was placed on the wagon and wedged in so it could not come open. By the time the days journey was over the bread was kneaded and ready to be baked. A pit was dug in a hill and a fire built so the bread could be baked. The constant jarring of the wagon churned the butter and kneaded the bread.
The heavy iron Dutch ovens and kettles were carried across country as they were serviceable and the women were used to cooking in them; since the ironware was black from the smoke on the outside it was tolerated and only the inside was cleaned after cooking. The best way to handle ironware is to remove cooked on food by soaking in hot water, use a stiff brush to scrub dry over heat and rub with oil. The utensil is ready for the next meal.
Table service was practical and was made mostly of tin or enamelware. Milady's good china was packed in the flour barrel to protect it from chipping and breakage. Travel in a covered wagon was a constant jolting ride. As mentioned the cows were driven along with the wagons. Most wagon trains ran in two rows with the livestock in between. The teenagers walked behind the cattle.