The Bend in the River: A Novel

By Lynn Cooper

Jacob and Sarah Rawlings had a dream. Their hearts' desire was to travel across the open prairie lands and settle in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Sarah struggled during her pregnancy but kept it to herself, not wanting Jacob to postpone their travelling west, endangering her and the baby's life. They set off in early April, leaving Independence, Missouri, in 1843, headed for their new home in the valley. The trip is wrought with death along the trail joined with the struggles of those individuals on the train fleeing failures of the past, seeking a new life in a new place. The trip is filled with a mixture of tragedy and blessing. Jacob and Sarah nearly lose their lives with God sending help from a most unexpected source. We learn again of God's love toward us and of His amazing grace that brings us through the most difficult times. As the storms rage across the open prairie and the difficulties along the trail threaten to destroy those seeking a new land, the wagon master must use every ounce of his strength and skill to deliver those that have entrusted their lives unto him. This is indeed a story of those with dreams and others whose dreams are shattered, leaving sorrow and defeat in its wake. The reader will be carried along with the travelers in the wagon train and become involved in a most amazing journey experiencing what many of the early settlers passed through on their way to a new life in a wild and beautiful new land.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886851458

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The Bend in the River

A Novel

Alton Lynn Cooper

ISBN 979-8-88685-144-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88685-146-5 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88685-145-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Alton Lynn Cooper

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Epilogue

About the Author

Books by Alton Lynn Cooper

Raymond Miller stared at his son-in-law in silence for a few moments before speaking. You know it would be a better idea to wait until after the baby is born before attempting something this difficult.

I have thought about that myself, but we have already given the wagon master a deposit, and we either travel in this next train or forfeit the money. Not only that, Sarah is bound and determined to go now and get started on this new life that we have dreamed about back before we were married. Jacob Rawlings went silent and waited for his father-in-law's response.

I know. When that girl gets something in her mind, you couldn't change it if you wanted to—no matter how hard you try—but I also know that this dream of yours could end in disaster. It's a rough and wild country you're heading into, and a woman expecting has no business starting on a trip like that.

If you think you can persuade her to wait for next spring, then go right ahead. I tried that before we put down the deposit on the last open spot in the train leaving in April this year.

What kind of a man is this Carson McDaniel?

I've heard that he's led a lot of trains west and not lost many folks on the way. Only a few that already was in bad health before the train rolled out of here. He has a good reputation and cares about the people that trust in his leadership. He has some good trail hands that work for him, and they all speak very highly of his skills to carry folks safely to their new homes. I'm told he can be very bossy on the trail, but it's for the train's own good.

The two men went silent and continued opening boxes and restocking the store shelves that had been quickly emptied by those who had arrived in the small village of Independence, Missouri, awaiting the forming of the wagon trains over the next few weeks. The store carried medical supplies including bandages, ointments, and certain cold and illness remedies needed to keep those healthy along the trail. He had thought of expanding his business to sell food and other supplies, but the larger store run by Wendell Wilson had all that business and would crush anyone who tried to cut into it.

Jacob Rawlings was a stout-built young man, twenty-three years old. He had married Sarah Miller, who was two years younger than himself, in the summer of 1841. They had known each other from attending the one-room school house in the village. The corner on the town square had become the starting place for wagon trains headed west, and it had become known as the Queen City of the Trails. Independence was founded in 1827 and was a small frontier village of only a few hundred people. The first wagon train left in 1836 heading west on the Oregon Trail. Jacob had worked as a young boy alongside his father, who was a lumberjack and a woodsman throughout the forest lands of Missouri. His father had not only taught him the ins and outs of lumbering but had paid him along the way for his work. He was frugal and had saved up his earnings that were now being used to outfit him and his wife on their journey west. He had gained considerable experience in lumbering that would serve him well in his and Sarah's travels to start their new home in Oregon's Willamette Valley. They were staying here in the village with his father-in-law helping in the store while preparing to join Carson McDaniel's train that would be leaving in six weeks at the end of April.

We've got another meeting with the trainmaster tomorrow afternoon. Our group will be smaller than normal, and he wants to make sure that we are all fully committed to the train and understand the difficulties that lie ahead.

Raymond was silent as he swept the plank floor. He had said his piece, and he knew that any further discussion wouldn't change his daughter or his young son-in-law's mind. His wife had died of influenza two years ago, and it saddened him to think that his oldest child was leaving and taking his future grandchild with her. He would be left here to finish raising his youngest daughter, Rose, hoping that she would make this her home and not fall prey to the same wanderlust that her older sister had. He thought to himself that perhaps after they heard more about the hardships and dangers that lay along the two-thousand-mile trail, just maybe they would change their minds and make a life here. The crowds had continued to grow over the last few weeks with the excitement of the journey to new lands filling those who made their camp a mile or two from the town square on the outskirts of the village. Many of them had arrived at the Old Independence Landing north of town on the steamboat from St. Louis.

The blacksmith's shop was in full swing, hammering out tools, building wagons and farming equipment along with nails, knives, and cooking utensils. Benjamin Reynolds had hired extra hands to work with him in his shop alongside his two young sons. The ringing of their hammers against the anvils filled the air throughout the village day and night. Jacob had ordered a Murphy farm wagon to be built and was awaiting its completion. Benjamin had talked him out of a Conestoga wagon that was much heavier and would put more stress on his pulling team. The farm wagon weighed approximately one and one-half tons fully loaded while the Conestoga weighed that much completely empty. The heavier wagon would become mired down in the heavy trail mud and would be more difficult when fording streams and rivers.

Jacob left the store, holding his hat tightly on his head as he walked down the windswept street toward the steamboat office. The weather in mid-March was cold and unpredictable. With the temperatures hovering in the low thirties, the wind chill went straight through his woolen coat, wrapping itself around his shivering body. His father had started a sawmill business near St. Louis along with his older brother Thomas Rawlings. William Rawlings, Jacob's father, was a hard worker and always seemed to succeed at whatever task he put his mind to. He was hoping to hear from him before leaving on the wagon train. He had sent him a letter several weeks ago sharing his and Sarah's decision to leave this spring, hoping to arrive in their new home well before the Oregon winter set in. His father typically supported his son's decisions, but Jacob was curious to learn his reaction to their final plans. He had wanted him to return to St. Louis and become a third partner in the rapidly growing sawmill.

No letter today, son. Don't be discouraged though. The mail by steamboat is slower than a snail crawling through a spilled jar of molasses, but it'll finally make its way through.

Willard Denson was the kindly old gentleman who ran the steamboat office in Independence. In his younger days, he had piloted one of the vessels on many trips up and down the Missouri River. When he rammed the docking area a few too many times due to his failing eyesight, the company felt that he would do less damage here in the mail and ticket office. The mail was placed in residents' small slots in the office, and many times they would collect it and then get it to the correct recipient after Willard had put it in the wrong slot.

I'll keep checking. We're not leaving until the end of April. Maybe the snail will arrive by then. Good day.

The pains in Sarah's stomach had become more frequent over the last few days. She had not told Jacob, hoping that it was a natural result of the pregnancy and that they would go away on their own. She didn't want to miss joining the wagon train and knew that if her husband thought that it would be too hard on her, he would quickly cancel their plans. His concern for her and the baby's health weighed heavily on his mind especially after they recently heard of an expectant mother's death due to complications. She had been busy at the stove, preparing supper for her father and her husband, but was forced to sit down to take the pressure off her painful stomach. She heard Jacob's whistling tune as he came onto the porch and quickly pushed herself up out of the chair and back to the stove.

Hello, my beautiful wife and mother to be. How is my most favorite woman in the entire world doing today?

I'd better be your only woman in the world, buster! She had pulled away from his embrace and held a dripping gravy spoon up in as menacing a manner as possible while trying not to smile.

No letter again today.

Don't worry about it, my dear. I'm sure your father had a spirit of adventure in him when he was our age and that he will fully approve of our desire to blaze new trails to the west.

Well, I wish I could share your optimism, but I know that he really had his heart set on us moving to St. Louis and entering the lumber business with him and Uncle Thomas.

How do you feel about all this? If you think that is what we should do, you know that I will support you in whatever decision you make. Sarah held her breath, waiting for his answer. She would indeed support her husband's decision, but her heart was yearning for the new life that Oregon offered them. To blaze your own trail and feel the excitement of seeing faraway lands filled her dreams at night.

I respect all his hard work to start up the sawmill business, but my heart is in going west. We are only young once, and to dream a dream and not get to experience it would be a sad loss indeed.

Sarah wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down to her short frame for a hug and a warm kiss. I'm so glad that our hearts are one. I want to see the new land so bad that I can hardly wait for the wagon train to assemble and roll out of this place.

That reminds me—we have a meeting tomorrow afternoon at three with Carson McDaniel and the rest of the travelers. He wants to make sure that all of us are assembling the necessary supplies for our trip west.

*****

Sarah's father arrived home, and after enjoying a pleasant supper, they sat rocking by the glowing fireplace with hot cups of coffee in their hands.

Are you sure that coffee's not gonna hurt that new grandchild of mine?

Sarah held her cup out for her father's inspection. Warm milk, Daddy, warm milk.

*****

I want all of you to know that while going west is an exciting thought, it is also a very dangerous undertaking. There are many hundreds of miles to cover and many long, hot, and stormy days on the trail. We will not only deal with the elements but also wild animals, possibly some not-so-friendly Indians, and also the potential of devastating illnesses. I must tell you that on average, one in ten of those that start on an adventure like this never reach their final destination. I'm not trying to discourage you in any way; I just want you to enter into this with your eyes wide open and count the cost of your decision while you're still here safely in this settled place. Carson McDaniel was a stout hardy man. He had a set of broad shoulders that no doubt had grown stronger with every train that he had led west. His head was covered in dark curly hair graying at the temples, and he sported a large drooping salt-and-pepper mustache. He stared intently into his audience's faces as if he were searching for the sign of fear that would certainly cause problems on the trail.

Remember this. After we pull out of this village, we're headed west. I will not be able to stop the train nor turn it around to deliver any of you back here. I want all of you to think very seriously about what you're doing and be fully committed to not only myself but to your fellow travelers as well. If anyone disobeys the rules of the trail, you will be released from the train to travel on your own—no exceptions! We will be a team. There will be times that we really get on one another's nerves. Learn to give and forgive, and it'll all work out for the best.

Over the next two hours, Carson listed all the supplies that each one would need to sustain themselves along the way. He gave each family a pamphlet that talked about traveling the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon. It explained major points of interest along the way as well as dos and don'ts in traveling through rough and sometimes threatening terrain. At the end of the meeting, there was a question-and-answer period with all present being able to clear up any potential misunderstandings of what they were committing themselves to do. Always remember this. On the trail, I am the boss—the only boss! It's my job to get you through to your final destination, and I will do that, God willing. It's not my job to become your babysitter. You must pull your own weight while keeping a level head and a right spirit within you. Understood? From here going forward, we will meet each week to answer questions and to check on your preparedness. All those leaving the meeting clearly understood that Carson McDaniel was in full control of their futures. None doubted whether or not he could get them to their final destination. The only doubt in their minds was whether or not they would be able to hold up their end of the bargain and meet his high expectations of them.

The village was a noisy beehive of activity over the next few weeks. Jacob learned that Carson would lead out their smaller group, and then the larger group would follow them two weeks later. They were leaving in the spring to assure that the early grasses along the trail would be sufficient to feed the livestock. He had purchased two teams of mules instead of the oxen and horses like some of the others had done. Horses were more expensive and didn't have the same stamina as the oxen or mules. The first group out would be those pulling with horses or mules because they would feed on the shorter grasses along the way. The majority with the powerful, more durable oxen would leave two weeks later. The larger group was headed for California and would break away from the Oregon Trail in Wyoming. Jacob had chosen mules over oxen to have both riding animals in the new land as well as powerful animals to plow and work the ground. The government would supply logs to build their cabin upon their arrival, but he would need to cut more for his planned-out buildings. They were promised a square mile each for going west and opening up new territory. Time was passing quickly, and Carson's weekly meetings had gone well with no one dropping out of the train. Their group would consist of forty-two wagons taking 104 adventurous individuals to a new home and a new way of life. The last meeting was one week away where the wagon master and his trail riders would personally check each member's supplies to assure no one was leaving unprepared.

The pains that troubled Sarah came and went and was causing a small seed of doubt to enter her mind about not telling her husband and continuing on with their plans to leave this place where a doctor was readily available. She was torn between not wanting to endanger the child that she was carrying and not wanting to miss this opportunity to travel to new and exciting places. She had begun last year hearing the news of the new lands to the west and all the promise they held for those willing to cast off the old and reach out to the new. It was strange that those stories never mentioned the potential dangers that Carson McDaniel continued to discuss at their weekly meetings.

You have to keep feeding the steamer, son. Wagons need wheels, and when we need to produce a lot of wagons, we need a lot of wheels. Benjamin Reynolds reached over and scuffed his young son's hair. He had taught his boys to be hard workers in the blacksmithing business and the need to be diligent about their given task. Joseph Reynolds and his brother Steven were the wood benders forming the felloes in the wheel-building process. It was their job to steam the oak and hickory wood, preparing it for the bending press. This required from two to two-and-one-half hours for the wood to be in the steamer. With the high demand for wagons, the shop had to keep everything operating at top efficiency to meet the sold orders. After the wood was removed from the steamer, they would put it in the press on the steel band, clamping the ends securely in place, and begin the task of pulling the wood around the form. The cable would sometimes make a snapping sound as it rolled itself up onto the spool. At first, Steven thought the wood was cracking and would jump back, causing his father to let out a rolling burst of laughter.

Son, you can't be afraid of your tools, or you'll never make a good smithy!

The boys had learned well and were a strong part of their father's team which, for the most part, produced their customers' orders on time as promised.

You can't expect to buy supplies for nothing! My prices are the best in town!

Your prices don't have to be fair, and you know it. You run the only major supply center in Independence with no competition, and we have to pay your price or go without! Jake Wesselman glared at the shopkeeper which, in turn, glared back at him.

Are you here to buy or window shop? I have other customers waiting that are happy to buy up this stuff! Either place your order, or leave my store and let me serve those who come here with pockets full of money!

Wendell Wilson had run the only main supply center in the village ever since he arrived there from St. Louis. His uncle bought up large quantities of food and household items in St. Louis and shipped them to Independence, where his nephew sold them at marked-up prices that left many travelers grumbling on the way out of his store. Between the two of them, they had become quite wealthy as the western trails beckoned more and more dreamers to make their move to far-and-distant places. Personally, he could care less whether these losers bought or not. There were always more suckers coming in every day to take what these complainers left behind. Good customer service at the supply center was not a priority for the shopkeeper. Those that did business with him learned very quickly to get what they needed and leave with as little arguing as possible.

Wesselman gathered up the bundles of supplies and left the counter in a huff. On his way out of the store, he glanced back to see Wilson skinning the next in line. He paused at the last counter and picked up a small-handled ax, placed it in his pack, and walked out of the store.

*****

I want to introduce some special people to you who are going to become your very best friends over the next few months. They will be the ones you go to before you come to me on the trail. They are well trained and know how to take care of the many problems that are sure to come as the days pass by. You are going to start this journey bright eyed and filled with the spirit of adventure. You will end this journey exhausted, discouraged, tired, and worn out, vowing to never travel in a wagon train again. That decision will last until the next bout of wanderlust lodges itself in your heart!

Over the next few minutes, Carson McDaniel introduced his group of train riders. Jody Caston was a strapping young man well over six feet tall with a wild and unruly beard covering his face. Pauly Williams was nineteen years old, tall, with a chiseled face along with a set of dark serious eyes peering out at the group before him. Jerry Williams, his older brother, was a muscular man with a large angular scar running down his left cheek. His face was craggy with a square jawline and reflected some hard years of living. His very appearance told those around him not to get into his business. The last to be introduced was a young woman named Alice Carlson. Some of the men had a slight smirk on their face as they looked at this small slender girl before them.

Let me assure you tough guys out there that what you are thinking about this pleasant person before you is not what you should be thinking. You are wondering how a sweet-looking young lady like this could help you out of some tough situations in the days ahead? Well, let me warn you, boys, there's not many of us in this room that could stand up to her for very long—including myself. Carson gave the room one of his warmest smiles. "The last two men here will no doubt become very close to all of you as well. Lester Brookings is the doctor who will be traveling with us. Now let me tell you that he is not a full-fledged doctor as of yet. He is partially trained