g historic spots.

Everywhere we went there was a glowing welcome for "Father Meeker," as
he was called by some of his home folks, while "Uncle Ezra" was the name
used affectionately by others. The ovation given him when he arose to
speak to the teachers and students of the high school in Puyallup--the
city he founded--was evidence of the high regard in which he is held by
those who know him best.

Other boys and girls and older folk all over the country would enjoy
meeting Ezra Meeker and hearing of his experiences. Since this is not
possible, the record of what he has seen and done is given to us in this
little volume.

The book makes the story of the Oregon Trail live again. This famous old
way to the West was traced in the beginning by wild animals--the bear,
the elk, the buffalo, the soft-footed wolf, and the coyote. Trailing
after these animals in quest of food and skins, came the Indians. Then
followed the fur-trading mountaineers, the home-seeking pioneers, the
gold seekers, the soldiers, and the cowboys. Now railroad trains,
automobiles, and even aeroplanes go whizzing along over parts of the old
highway.

Every turn in the Trail holds some tale of danger and daring or romance.
Most of the stories have been forever lost in the passing away of those
who took part in this ox-team migration across our continent. For that
reason the accounts that have been saved are the more precious.

Ezra Meeker has done a signal service for our country in reblazing the
Oregon Trail. He has accomplished an even greater work in helping to
humanize our history and vitalize the geography of our land, by giving
to us, through this little volume, a vivid picture of the heroic
pioneering of the Farther West.

HOWARD R. DRIGGS

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR v

PART ONE--FROM OHIO TO THE COAST

1. BACK TO BEGINNINGS 1

2. BOYHOOD DAYS IN OLD INDIANA 9

3. LEAVING THE HOME NEST FOR IOWA 15

4. TAKING THE TRAIL FOR OREGON 21

5. THE WESTWARD RUSH 33

6. THE PIONEER ARMY OF THE PLAINS 38

7. INDIANS AND BUFFALOES ON THE PLAINS 43

8. TRAILING THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN LAND 49

9. REACHING THE END OF THE TRAIL 57

PART TWO--SETTLING IN THE NORTHWEST COUNTRY

10. GET