06/06/2024
Driving livestock was a skill that emigrants on the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails quickly needed to learn and many would become competent after about a week into the journey. Frederick Piercy explains in his journal how emigrants steered their oxen while walking beside them.
"The teamster should drive with the teams to the right. When he cries ‘Gee,’ the team should go from him, and when ‘Haw,’ come towards him. When the teamster cries ‘Haw,’ it is usual with a lazy team to let them feel the whip over their necks, and when ‘Gee,’ over their backs. The consequence is that whenever a piece of rough or difficult road is encountered, the shouts and cries of ‘geeing’ and ‘hawing’ and the cracking of the whips are most terrific. ... When a slight movement to the right or left is required, the command to ‘gee’ and ‘haw’ is given in a very mild tone, but when there is danger of running against a rock, or getting a wheel locked in a tree, the command is sure to be given with the full volume of the teamster’s voice. During the first few days the teams and teamsters were constantly at variance." - June 9, 1853
We do not recommend attempting to steer an automobile in the manner described above.
NPS photo of a oxen driving course held at Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, Nebraska.
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