My father, his brother and two neighbors left Missouri to take government claims near what is now Ness City, Kansas. They staked out adjoining claims and all worked together to get one sod house built before winter caught them.
They had just completed the house when a big blizzard swooped down. They brought all eight head of mules in with them to keep them from freezing. They took off the wagon box and put it between mules and men to keep from being kicked to death. They ate and slept that way for three days until the storm blew itself out. They had to scoop snow as high as the door to get out.
Mrs. Elda Whitney
Sheridan, 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.