.....TALES OF THE OREGON TRAIL
Madonna of the Trail
(This statue, by H. Leembach of St. Louis, MO, is located in each of 12 states through which the National Old Trails Road passes. They were errected by the DAR and are a memorial to all the women that helped pioneer the west. The above photo was taken in Albuquerque, NM.)

This story of an Oregon Trail trek was provided by Dale and Olyve Mae Dibble of Naples, Florida. The NICKELLs of the Okanogan Valley of Washington will recognize the names of Dale and Olyve Mae quickly as both are very active in the history of that area. The story starts about 1862, after the Civil War had broken out, when the Home Guard and Home Leaguers were the scourge of the Missouri and Kansas areas. Many good people gave up their homes to find peace and safety in the west.

This story is one of a very young girl (age 18), Arabella (Clemens) Fulton, who went on a wagon train to Boise, ID, returned to Wise County, Texas with her family 10 years later, and then back to Ellensburg, Washington after 8-10 years. It's full of history and interesting anecdotes.

Click here to read Tales of the Trail..