Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

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Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (1)

Dangers Along the Emigrant Trails

The route of the Oregon/California/Mormon Pioneer Trails has been called "the nation's longest graveyard." Nearly one in ten emigrants who set off on the trail did not survive. The following is a list of the main causes of death along the trail from 1841 until 1869:

  • Disease
  • Gunshot wounds
  • Accidents
  • River crossings and drowning
  • Weather
Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (2)

Disease

Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents, or rattlesnake bites were a few. However, the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact. Death from diseases usually came quickly and painfully. It is estimated that 6-10% of all emigrants of the trails succumbed to some form of illness.

Of the estimated 350,000 who started the journey, disease may have claimed as many as 30,000 victims. Since the trail was 2,000 miles long, this would indicate that there was an average of 10-15 deaths per mile. Of this large number, only a few grave site locations are marked. Usually, there wasn't time or opportunity to observe customary burial rites like back home. Victims of epidemics and massacres were usually buried anonymously in mass graves. Single graves were often dug in the trail itself where the loose dirt could be compacted by the wagons that rolled over it. Most graves were deliberately left unmarked to protect the deceased from grave robbers and vandals.

Illnesses and Their Treatments

  • Cholera: This disease resulted in more illness and death than all of the other maladies experienced by the emigrants. Cholera results from a waterborne bacteria that thrives in polluted, stagnant water. It progresses rapidly and attacks the intestinal lining, producing severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cramps. The effects were so severe and rapid that victims often died within 12 hours of the first symptoms. Some of the medicines that emigrants had to combat cholera were camphor and laudanum. These were painkillers and cough suppressants that did little to cure the disease.
  • Dysentery: A common ailment that can strike any group exposed to changes in their living habits, especially if accompanied by unsanitary conditions. Although seldom fatal if treated, it can be very dangerous for the very young and elderly. Castor oil was used to treat dysentary and other bowel disorders.
  • Mountain fever: Usually not fatal, with symptoms that include intestinal discomfort, respiratory distress, and fever. The diseases that fit these symptoms are: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhoid fever, and scarlet fever. Quinine water was used to treat Rocky Mountain spotted fever, chills and pneumonia.
  • Measles: A viral disease that is more common among children, but can have a serious effect upon adults.
  • Food poisoning: A problem with contaminated food, more likely among single men.
  • Scurvy: Weakens and deteriorates body conditions resulting from diets lacking in vitamin C. Citric acid was used to prevent and treat scurvy.
  • Smallpox: A viral disease that was very contagious causing high fever and dehydration.
  • Pneumonia: A respiratory ailment that is common among groups experiencing unsanitary conditions or exposure to drastic weather changes.
  • Headaches, coughs, muscle aches: Turpentine, vinegar and whiskey were some of the treatments to treat these ailments.

Gunshot Wounds

Most emigrants started on the journey with an intense, but unfounded fear of the native people living in the lands through which they travelled. As a result of this fear, almost every wagon was a rolling arsenal. Accidental shootings were common, but murders were rare. Hunting was a popular pastime on wagon trains, not just for food, but sport as well. As a result, hunting accidents were frequent. Many emigrants shot themselves with their own guns through careless and inept handling of firearms. Some were victims of cheaply made weapons that misfired or blew up

Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (3)

Weather

Weather related dangers included thunderstorms, lethally large hailstones, lightning, tornadoes, and high winds. The intense heat of the prairie cause wood to shrink, and wagon wheels had to be soaked in rivers at night to keep their iron rims from rolling off during the day. The dust on the trail could be two or three inches deep and as fine as flour. Emigrant's lips blistered and split in the dry air, and the only remedy was to rub axle grease on them.

Accidents

Accidents were caused by negligence, exhaustion, guns, animals, and the weather. Shootings, drownings, being crushed by wagon wheels, and injuries from handling domestic animals were the common killers on the trail. Wagon accidents were the most prevalent. Both children and adults sometimes fell off or under wagons and were crushed under the wheels. Others died by being kicked, thrown, or dragged by the wagon's draft animals (oxen, mules, or horses).

Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (4)

Wild Animals

Deaths due to wild animals did occur occasionally when someone unwisely wandered off alone. Probably the greatest animal danger, however, came from the enormous herds of bison that covered the Plains. Bison sometimes overran wagon trains causing havoc and injury.

The animal that many emigrants feared was the rattlesnake. While some bites did occur, the danger was not as high as they anticipated.

Native Americans

American Indians were usually among the least of the emigrants' problems. They were mostly peaceful and helped the emigrants in a variety of ways. Indians often traded with emigrants. Native peoples offered fresher, or different foods to vary the emigrant diet, and moccasins to replace worn out boots. The emigrants provided articles of clothing or other trade goods to facilitate the trade. Native people often provided help in other ways. Before white men set up ferries and bridges to cross treacherous rivers, Indians were making ferries out of canoes to take wagons and people across.

Tales of hostile encounters far overshadowed actual incidents, and relations between emigrants and Indians were further complicated by trigger-happy emigrants who shot at Indians for target practice and out of unfounded fear.

Part of a series of articles titledThe Emigrant Experience .

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    Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

    FAQs

    Death and Danger on the Emigrant Trails (U.S. National Park Service)? ›

    Shootings, drownings, being crushed by wagon wheels, and injuries from handling domestic animals were the common killers on the trail. Wagon accidents were the most prevalent. Both children and adults sometimes fell off or under wagons and were crushed under the wheels.

    What were the death and danger on the emigrant trails? ›

    Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents or rattlesnake bites were a few. But the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact.

    What were the odds of surviving the Oregon Trail? ›

    It is estimated that as many as 1 in 10 emigrants died on the trail—between 20,000 and 30,000 people. The majority of deaths occurred because of diseases caused by poor sanitation. Cholera and typhoid fever were the biggest killers on the trail.

    What are the causes of death in the Oregon Trail game? ›

    Along the way, they need to purchase supplies, hunt for food and make myriad choices. The game ends when the player reaches Oregon, or if they die along the trail; death can occur as a result of such things as disease, starvation, lack of clothing in cold weather, snakebites and hunting accidents.

    What percent of people survived the Oregon Trail? ›

    Most of the emigrants on the Oregon Trail survived the trip. Between four and six percent of the emigrants died along the way - between 12,500 and 20,000 people. This is about one grave for every 200 yards of trail (the length of two football fields). Most of those who died were either children or elderly people.

    What were 4 dangers pioneers might encounter on the Oregon Trail? ›

    Weather related dangers included thunderstorms, lethally large hailstones, lightning, tornadoes, and high winds. The intense heat of the deserts caused wood to shrink, and wagon wheels had to be soaked in rivers at night to keep their iron rims from rolling right off during the day.

    What was the mysterious death on hiking trail? ›

    Couple found dead on California hiking trail likely tried to save baby, report says. The California couple that died in August on a remote hiking trail in the Sierra National Forest along with their 1-year-old and family dog likely succumbed to the extreme heat, the lack of water and exertion, according to a report.

    Did wagon trains really circle the wagons? ›

    Did they circle the wagons when they camped? Large wagon trains formed corrals by circling their wagons, where animals could be herded if needed. Small wagon trains generally did not form circles.

    What time did they typically stop each day on the Oregon Trail? ›

    Average distance covered in a day was usually fifteen miles, but on a good day twenty could be traveled. 7:30 am: Men ride ahead on horses with shovels to clear out a path, if needed. “Nooning Time”: Animals and people stop to eat, drink and rest. 1:00 pm: Back on the trail.

    How hard was it to survive the Oregon Trail? ›

    The mysterious nature of cholera made it even more frightening; a strong healthy person could develop a slight fever in the morning, be unconscious at noon, and dead in the evening. Combined with accidents, drowning at dangerous river crossings, and other illnesses, at least 20,000 people died along the Oregon Trail.

    What happened to some bodies along the Oregon Trail? ›

    Victims of epidemics and massacres were usually buried anonymously in mass graves. Single graves were often dug in the trail itself where the loose dirt could be compacted by the wagons that rolled over it. Most graves were deliberately left unmarked to protect the deceased from grave robbers and vandals.

    What was the most common disease on the Oregon Trail? ›

    Diseases and serious illnesses caused the deaths of nine out of ten pioneers. Such diseases as cholera, small pox, flu, measles, mumps, tuberculosis could spread quickly through an entire wagon camp. Cholera was the main scourge of the trail.

    How to survive the Oregon Trail game? ›

    You can only shoot as many times as the amount of bullets you purchase or trade for in settlements. Keep this in mind when starting off as it is VERY necessary to last through the game. The most bullets you can carry in the wagon is 100 pounds of ammo in the earlier versions of the game.

    How did people go to the bathroom on a wagon train? ›

    They dug holes in the ground for toilets. Many emigrants probably didn't wash their hands afterward. Rain washed the contents of the holes into the streams or rivers.

    How far did the pioneers typically walk each day for 6 months? ›

    From Independence, Missouri, the trail folowed the Little Blue, Platte, Sweetwater, Snake, and Columbia Rivers through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon. Emigrants typically traveled 12 to 15 miles per day and it took 4 to 6 months to travel the 2,000 miles.

    What does caulk the wagon mean? ›

    Some emigrants simply caulked their wagon boxes, making them watertight, and floated them across. Where the crossings were shallow, wagon boxes could be raised by putting blocks on the axles.

    What was a danger faced by travelers on the Oregon Trail? ›

    Diseases and serious illnesses caused the deaths of nine out of ten pioneers. Such diseases as cholera, small pox, flu, measles, mumps, tuberculosis could spread quickly through an entire wagon camp. Cholera was the main scourge of the trail.

    What dangers did people face on the Santa Fe Trail? ›

    While some travelers made the trip without incident, the unforgiving climate, illness, mechanical failures, starvation, dehydration, and the potential for violent encounters created an array of challenges to prepare for and overcome. While some struck it rich, others lost their fortunes, their health, or their lives.

    What were the disasters on the Oregon Trail? ›

    Disease was the greatest threat on the trail, especially cholera, which struck wagon trains in years of heavy travel. Most deaths from disease occurred east of Fort Laramie. Accidents were the second most frequent cause of death on the trail.

    What was the disease most feared by travelers on the Oregon Trail? ›

    The most dangerous period of the emigration was the early 1850s, when cholera broke out in the jumping-off towns along the Missouri River. The emigrants and Gold Rushers headed for Oregon and California picked up the disease while outfitting for the journey and carried it west along the Platte and North Platte Rivers.

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