fbpx

Traveling Homsteaders Made Camp Near Widow’s House

By Capper's Staff
Published on September 30, 2011

My mother was left a widow when she was 46. She had four girls, the eldest was 15 and I was the youngest at 5. Near us was an ideal place for homesteaders to camp – plenty of water for their horses and timber for a windbreak.

When they came to Mother’s to get eggs, milk and chickens, some would offer to pay and others had tales of misfortune. Mother was kind and willing to help anyone in need.

One evening when some folks came by, Mother was just a little afraid because it was quite late. A pioneer mother came to the door. She said her son had broken his leg and she was afraid for him to sleep in the damp wagon. She asked if she could bring him in our house for the night. Mother let her bring the boy and stay. They were quite nice and seemed to appreciate it so much. We were not so doubtful of people in those days as we are now.

Mrs. E.G. Estes
Allen, Kansas


Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the then CAPPER’s WEEKLY asking for readers to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title – My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon – hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true tales from CAPPER’s readers, and we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.