Thousands of pioneers journeyed over 1,000 miles to reach this point. Illness and death were common. Everywhere along the trail people died and were buried.
It is estimated that one out of ten emigrants who started on the trail died before completing the trip. Roughly 90 percent of the deaths were caused by disease, the rest were from childbirth, accidents, and violence. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, cholera was reaching epidemic proportions on the trails. Cholera is caught by drinking tainted water. Symptoms include high fever, vomiting, and dehydration. In a few instances, almost entire wagon companies were wiped out by cholera's incredibly painful and rapid death.
Buried on this ridge, safe from tramping feet and iron-wheeled wagons are over 20 known American Indian and emigrant graves.
Comments 0 comments