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Pioneer Stories Involved Traveling Shoemaker

By Capper's Staff
Published on October 5, 2011

If my father were living he would be 116 years old. He used to tell pioneer stories and about the pleasure his family got from the visits of the traveling shoemaker every winter. The whole family looked forward to his visit, and they had the hides tanned and ready for him. He made shoes for every member of the family and often stayed several weeks.

They all were proud of their new shoes, but the greatest pleasure was derived from the news and gossip about all the families for whom the shoemaker had been working.

Mrs. M.O. Parrish
Vandalia, Missouri


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.