HAPPY TRAILS TO THE WEST

Russ Leger was the speaker.  His grandmother was born in 1886 and told stories about when she had seen Buffalo Bill Cody.

He ride with his first wagon train in 1993 as Wagonmaster following the Oregon Trail.  They left St. Louis for Salt Lake City on a three month trek.

Leger gives presentations around the country about wagon trains, mainly to 4^th grade students.

In 1843 many people thought it was too crowded where they lived, so the first wagon trains headed West.  The three things needed along the route were, wood, water, and grass.  Many people forget that it took at lot of grass to feed the animals on the wagon train.

Many people that go on a wagon train grow closer together as a family.  They spend the entire day with their family, instead of everyone running in different directions.  Young men learn that they need to take care of the horses first, then to help women and the elderly.

Leger’s horse is named Sarge.  The horse is 20 years old and Leger has ridden him 13,000-14,000 miles on wagon trains.  He has had only one horse on his wagon trail rides.