52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks: Least

May, 1871 Somewhere in Kansas

“At least, ten miles today…at least, ten miles today…at least,” commanded the voices in my head. Some days the grasslands and trails are wide and open while some days they are treacherous enough to slow us down. Oh, at least, ten miles today.

The voices in my head kept repeating conversations between myself and my farm neighbor. “Old man,” I could hear him say, “what are you doing? You’ve got a homestead here in Illinois. You’ve got married children and grandchildren here who will not be moving on. You’ve got youngins to raise. Didn’t I hear tell that a new baby is on the way? So, you want to pick up and drag your family across the way to Kansas for free land…why, your pa fought off Indians to keep this free land right here for you.”

As I looked out across the grasslands, I brought my mind back to the present. We had to cover at least ten miles this day on the wagon train. My family and I had to make it in time to settle in somewhere before the baby came. Walk, push on, keep going…I hear these words over and over as I watch over my family. We will be getting off the wagon train at Fort Leavenworth, a protected place to stay until we get supplies and are ready to finish the trip.

As we walked with the wagon and wife Mary rode, I kept my eyes on the horizon. At least, we have gotten this far…just over yonder is our new home.

~Amos H. Boultinghouse, 53 years old

Note: Amos is my second great grandfather who settled his final home in Osborne County, Kansas. After arriving in the county, his wife Mary gave birth inside a tent. Mary was French so the new son was named Lafayette. Why did Amos leave their home in Illinois? The reason is unknown.