Equal And Alike

By J. Michael Kirkland

A young man leaves his father's farm to make his way, venturing West, in mid 19th Century. Supported by a much older mentor, Joshua McBride is caught on a path that exposes him to diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Contact with political operatives compounds his dilemma. All these circumstances shape his life. Not all these encounters are joyous and entertaining.

He experiences poignant events, sometimes passionate, sometimes disappointing, sometimes touching and on occasion, he suffers personal pain and suffering, as well as that of loved ones. All of which reveal the stuff of life that forces his maturity and contribute to his resolve to pursue of happiness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098304492

Book preview

Adams

CHAPTER 1

Pilgrims swarmed on Independence, Missouri like bees to a lonely spring flower. Joshua McBride was sick and tired of the strangers. After all, he was almost a native of the city, considering he had taken up residence some two years before. All these people made him uneasy.

Joshua was nearly sixteen years old, but he looked older. There was no doubt he would be a big one when he finished growing. He was already well over six feet tall. And although he was slender and willowy like his Mama, God rest her soul, Joshua was very strong. His narrow face, ample nose and steely gray eyes gave him the look of a predator. Solitary life, the past three years, endowed him with resolute confidence.

Fighting came naturally to the young man. It was easy to mistake his slight build for weakness. Many men suffered for the miscalculation. Joshua wondered if his yearn to hurt others was due to events that drove him from his Daddy’s farm in Virginia.

Early on he decided that he needed no one, except maybe Ol’ Tom his horse. They had been together through thick and thin. Nothing meant more than Ol’ Tom.

Joshua hated to stable his horse even more than he despised the crowds in town. It seemed sort of cruel. Ol’ Tom should be rompin’ in the country. Joshua heard there was plenty of space in California.

Handbills, tacked up all over town, touted Captain Luther Chambers as the ablest of all pilots. Chambers, the Board Chairman of the Wycliff Trading and Mining Company, was soliciting members to purchase shares in his company to make the trek west to California in search of gold.

Captain Chambers boasted of three round trips to California. Many doubted his claim, since the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill had only occurred in February of the previous year. Few white men and fewer white women had, as yet, made the trek overland from the Missouri Territories to the western side of the continent.

Only a scant number really cared whether Chambers made those trips or not. Men were committed to go to California. Some were driven by first-hand accounts of friends or family members who wrote that gold nuggets were on the ground ripe for the picking. Most were influenced by true accounts in newspapers or other periodicals. Even schoolboys knew the trip was fraught with danger, but it could be done. There were stacks of reports about men such as Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Joseph Redeford Walker and other trappers and explorers who had blazed the trail for the white man. By and large these men used Indian trails which had existed centuries before the white man set foot on his frontier. These paths wove their way across the entire continent like a rope coming unraveled at its ends.

In most cases, those seeking a stake in an outfit like Wycliff Trading and Mining Company found no pilot who had much experience with the wilderness between Missouri, the most westerly portion of the United States, and the Pacific Ocean. The likes of Carson and Walker, who did have perfect knowledge, were too busy trying to avoid these mass movements of people during this period of the mid-nineteenth century. Many emigrants, therefore, were destined for failure, disease and death. Lack of experienced leadership and shortage of preparation were bigger foes than any Indian tribe. Truly experienced guides, proper equipment and sound draft animals were scarce due to this California Fever.

Chambers did have some solid references. Wilson & Clark Mercantile, an outfitter for the overland journey, included him on their list of viable pilots. This gave Chambers a leg up to those desperately seeking passage to California. Joshua McBride read one of Chamber’s handbills and vowed to attend the introductory meeting early that afternoon.

The spacious room was full of men dressed in various fashions. Obviously, the attendants spanned the economic spectrum. All were anxious to hear what Captain Chambers had to say. The would-be emigrants gathered in little spontaneous groups, as small as two and as large as eight or ten, to query one another as to whether this Chambers had the right stuff.

Joshua eavesdropped on many conversations. They were all about the same. If Chambers could gain their confidence, he would have more than he could handle. McBride knew the desire to get to California was so great, for everyone, that just about any old soul would do as Wagon Master.

Joshua took a seat in the front row and waited anxiously for the meeting to begin. Most everyone still stood. In a few minutes, his mind wandered. He did not notice the presence of a stout, rather short, man who appeared some forty years old. The stranger, who lingered only a few feet away, stared directly into Joshua’s eyes.

The old codger was ill at ease in the woolen suit that hung upon him. He had a round face framed with a full red beard. His nose, a large hooked one like Joshua once saw on a cartoon caricature in the newspaper, was accentuated by a very visible network of bright red veins meandering over the surface. Joshua knew other men with such a nose at the boarding house where he worked. Men, who drank more than their share of alcohol, often displayed these telltale signs. Joshua looked this stranger up and down and concluded that surely he must be an outdoorsman who dressed this way to make a good impression on Captain Chambers. The stranger’s stare made Joshua jittery.

So, the old man asked, What do you expect to do in California?

Oh, sir I want to go to California to make my fortune, Joshua replied.

How are you going to do that, son? the stranger asked.

Well, sir I am not sure. I really don’t like digging in the dirt. I did plenty of that on my Daddy’s farm and I never found any gold there, Joshua said very seriously.

The old man laughed from deep in his belly. He fell into the seat next to Joshua.

You mean to tell me, with this craze about gold in California and you attendin’ this meetin’ to go there, you ain’t even goin’ to search for gold if you was to get there?

Yes sir, that is pretty accurate, replied the young man.

The stranger slouched in the chair causing his ample stomach to look even larger. He placed his forearms on his gut and placed the fingertips of both hands together, working the palms of his hands back and forth, as if he had a spider on a mirror doing push-up exercises. He sat there for a moment watching his hands do their drill.

You come and see me after the meetin’ is over. Come to my office. You know where the Palace Saloon is, boy? You come there after the meetin’ is over, grumbled the old man. That said, the man got up from his chair and proceeded to the front of the room.

Three other men, who Joshua had not noticed previously, joined the stranger and for a brief moment huddled together each interjecting quick comments to the others. The old man’s companions then seated themselves facing the main body of the eager sojourners.

The strange man remained standing and addressed the crowd.

Good afternoon, gentlemen. Please take your seats so as I can start this meetin’ to introduce you to the Wycliff Tradin’ and Minin’ Company, he said with a commanding voice.

Joshua thought the old fellow appeared to demonstrate some ability as a spokesman. Maybe, Joshua mumbled to himself, This man will introduce Captain Chambers.

To Joshua’s surprise, he introduced himself to the group as Captain Luther Chambers, U.S. Army, retired. Joshua, astonished, looked around the room. He was amazed to see that all sixty or so seats were now occupied. Men of various ages and descriptions were here to see what Captain Chambers had to offer. Some of the men in the crowd were dressed in homespun pants and shirts, yet others wore broadcloth suits which were probably their normal attire back home in New York or Boston or wherever they came from.

First this afternoon I would like to describe the nature of the company I have formed and, if you choose to join me, how you can participate in it. I have put together a company by the name of Wycliff Tradin’ and Minin’ Company. I am sellin’ shares of stock in this company to anyone who will join me on the overland trip to California. We are scheduled to leave Independence on May fifth, or so, dependin’ upon the grass. I will not leave until the grass on the plains is abundant so’s to give our stock enough to eat. Consequently, our departure may be postponed. Any delays beyond May tenth could put a crimp on us if the snows come early in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, though.

There was murmuring in the crowd. Everyone was familiar with the Donner Party. They had suffered terribly in a blizzard that caught the unsuspecting travelers in the high passes of the Sierra Nevada’s back in ‘46. The wagon train was late getting started on their journey to California and they dallied along the way. Their tardiness cost many their lives. The precarious storms usually began in November and December and carried through the winter, however on occasion an odd storm slipped in earlier. It was just such a storm that sealed their fate. The thought of that particular group haunted the minds of the crowd, including Joshua. It was said that members of the Donner Party resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. Chambers waited for the crowd to quiet before continuing.

Now gentlemen, Chambers went on, I will give you a thumbnail sketch of the trail we will follow on this trip. We will leave Independence and track the Missouri River. Then our wagons will head toward Ft. Leavenworth. From there we will strike out for Ft. Kearney. This part of the trip will be the easiest and should take no more than a few weeks. Beyond Ft. Kearney we will cross the plains or Great American Desert, as it is called. The trail then leads to South Pass of the Rockies. At the apex of South Pass you will be at about seven thousand feet above the seas. On the other side of the pass there will be a region traversed by low mountains with alkali plains between. At this point, I will have a choice as to whether we go south or north. My decision will depend upon the weather, the condition of the livestock and other matters left to me. The trails will reunite for awhile and then I will have a choice as to whether we travel across the Mojave Desert or maybe through Death Valley on our way to Sacramento. Now, are there any questions?

Yes, Captain, can you tell me how many days this trek should take? asked a man in a heavy tweed suit.

With any luck and God willin’, the trip should take right at a hundred and twenty days, maybe one hundred thirty days, replied Chambers. Again, there was murmuring.

Joshua was flabbergasted at how masterful Chambers had become since he began his speech. The old man had been sort of plain when he spoke to Joshua before the meeting began. Now, the Captain appeared confident and carried himself with a flair. He seemed to have more energy. He was more animated. Even though Chambers’ clothes did not fit properly, Joshua concluded that Captain Luther Chambers was a definite leader.

Now, fellers, for the big question, how much will it cost to join this outfit? responded Chambers with a gleam in his eye.

"Passage will cost each of you four hundred dollars. The price includes everything’ lock, stock and barrel. This will entitle you passage to Sacramento and a share of the profits generated from Minin’ and other operations of the company. However, I wish to remind you that once we are in Sacramento you must work for the Company and therefore all our resources will be pooled together. This will be your contractual obligation for one year.

Now, you should know that the journey will not be entirely pleasant....

Laughter broke out. Chambers waited patiently to regain their attention. His manner and tone changed, becoming more formal. He seemed like he was reading a script.

We will allow men only. It is not that I have anythin’ against the fairer sex, however I am responsible to get this Company to Sacramento in one piece and I cannot guarantee that if women are involved. We will not have time to attend to every chore and prepare hot biscuits and coffee every mornin’, said the old man. There were some snickers from the crowd.

Speed and flexibility may give us the advantage, concluded the speaker solemnly.

"The course to California is attended with some hardships; nothin’, however that cannot be overcome by those stout of heart and of good constitution. Proper outfittin’ might make the journey more untroubled. Of course, that will be my responsibility.

"The road is a simple wagon trail, partly good and partly very bad. Large parties are galled by fine dust, so we will limit the number of wagons to twenty. Dependence upon wild game for food is unwise. It is well enough when buffalo are at hand to halt a day or so and cure the meat. The buffalo are fast disappearin’ and may well be gone in a few years. We will need to take ample provisions to feed ourselves without dependin’ upon the game which may not be available for that purpose.

If you believe what the newspapers say, there will be ten or twenty thousand eager souls, just like you, trekkin’ across the prairie this season. Thousands of emigrants are preparin’ to leave this city as soon as the grass is right. If every wagon train pulls out at the same time, then maybe we can all hold hands across the prairie. A wave of laughter erupted.

"We will rely on a two-horse wagon known as a farmer wagon. These wagons are made of seasoned wood and they are light. A tight light box will sit in front for tools and cookin’ utensils. The bows must be low rather than high. You will soon learn why when the winds get to howlin’ in the prairie. The bows should be covered double with twill cotton cloth, which should not be painted. Ours will be treated with a blend of one coat of linseed oil and beeswax mixed by boilin’, which makes the wagons a color of light sand. There will be stout drop curtains front and rear to fasten secure against heavy rain and wind. All this will shed water outside the body. Each wagon will have a spare cotton cloth to hook to the outside of the top and pin to the ground about seven feet from the wagon, makin’ a temporary tent and very agreeable shade for lunch or siesta at the noon halt.

"We must not load more than one thousand pounds in each wagon. Some pilots allow their wagons to be loaded up to one thousand five hundred pounds; I do not. You may take no more than one hundred pounds of your personal belongin’s. The proverb here is: ‘You begin with too heavy a load and your belongin’s will be discarded on the prairie.

Take one cow for milk. Drive her before your wagon, and teach the cow to keep the road in front of the oxen; when she becomes troublesome kill her for meat. Don’t make an animal follow tied to the rear of a wagon; the dust causes them to fail rapidly. I am partial to oxen over mules. The steer is one half the trouble. Mules are so stubborn and will not do what is wanted of them. They are more apt to stray on the prairie, while oxen will stay near where they are turned loose. We will have some mules along for they do have their place. There is one important point, the Indians may attempt to steal a steer, but you can count on ‘em to always steal a mule whenever they can catch him. They are partial to mule meat!

"Avoid sore necks and split or sore hoofs on the oxen. The neck gets sore on the top. Don’t grease it; wash it every day with water, sometimes use castile soap. When sore use a mixture of urine and powder. Preserve the hoofs; don’t hurry the cattle over bad ground.

Usual gait of oxen is two miles per hour- average fifteen miles per day. When we travel more one day, then we will travel less the next; it is better to travel some every day, if only five miles. It is usual to start at daylight, to break for two hours for animals to graze and for us to breakfast, then trek for several hours, with a noon halt of two hours at meridian. We will save the final trek for the afternoon and camp toward dark.

Joshua stared at the stranger with some amusement. Chambers was not nearly as tall as Joshua and he was squarely built. This man reminded Joshua of Rufus Clark, the blacksmith back home. He appeared, like Rufus, strong and committed to his task. The Captain’s full red beard gave him a look of prominence.

With regard to arms and ammunition, Chambers continued. "I recommend a single barrel rifle. Jack Hawkins, of St. Louis, makes a good article for mountain use, priced at twenty-five dollars. Others will do. One brace of U.S. holster pistols and from one to five pounds of powder is best. You will need all the accessories to match. An oil cloth gun case, same as tent material, is recommended.

You may be obliged to meet a mountain man or two during your journey with me. Do not be surprised if you cannot understand a word from their mouths. Many of them are of French heritage and are Canadian. They have lived in the wilderness, which is a lonely place. I can confirm that. They have consorted with traders and trappers from Mexico and most have lived with an assortment of Indian women. It is common to hear French, Spanish, and a variety of what you would conclude to be grunts mixed in to spice the few English words you can discern. Do not take offense. Under no circumstances should you mock them, for if you do, you may find your head in your hands. Once you get one o’ them mad, he is ‘bout as sociable as an ulcerated back tooth.

Joshua was awestruck with the thought of meeting a mountain man. He read every account he could find about of their adventures. His favorites were Jim Bridger and Kit Carson. Joshua pondered whether Captain Chambers had ever met them. He wondered if maybe the Captain saved Kit’s life when the grizzly bear almost tore off poor Kit’s head.

The Captain’s words about the boy’s heroes living with Indian women hit Joshua like a thunderbolt. The Captain, surely, is not talking about Kit or Jim runnin’ with Indian women....is he? His thoughts troubled him.

Joshua lurched as Chambers’ voice startled him from his day dream.

Now, boys, I got to remind you that if you join this Company you will be required to give everythin’ you earn in California to the Company to be split equally among each member of this outfit. Some of you look like professional men. You may want to continue your specialty in San Francisco or Sacramento City. The rest of you look like diggin’ in the dirt would suit you. No matter what you choose to do, though, remember you must give all your earnings to Wycliff Tradin’ and Minin’ Company for one year. These are my concludin’ remarks, gentlemen: Upon this journey the bad passions of men are apt to show themselves. Expect to take care of yourself, ‘cause nobody else will. The deadline for registration and outfittin’ is April thirtieth, with an expected departure date of May fifth. Remember fellers, we will allow no more than twenty wagons in all. Six shareholders per wagon, our group cannot be larger than one hundred twenty or so. If six of you are friends and want to throw in together, you may do so, however I do not recommend it. I have found that it is better to have a stranger or two in every mess; however, you know your group. Friends close enough to use the same toothpick can hate each other by the time we get to California.

We have registered over ninety already, so I suggest you make your decision today and then act upon it. Oh yes, as I mentioned before, this trip is for you roosters only- no women allowed. We will be movin’ at a torrid pace and I cannot abide whinin’ women!

There was a lull. Chambers stopped talking. At first, people did not realize that the Captain finished his presentation. After some awkward moments, the entire room exploded with anxious would-be shareholders. Joshua turned to see men leaping from their seats. Impatient gold seekers were tussling over each other to grab the sign-up sheets out of Chambers’ hands.

Those three men, the associates of the Captain who had been seated behind the speaker in front of the room, quickly formed a barrier around Chambers, so that he would not be trampled by the crowd. Order was once again established and a single file line was formed.

Joshua saw no reason to remain with these people. He did not have the four hundred dollars to buy a share in the Wycliff Company, so no matter how much he believed in Captain Luther Chambers and no matter how much he wanted to see California, there was no use hanging around. Joshua was discouraged, for he wanted to join this man on his trek to California. He pondered the Captain’s invitation to join him later. Maybe there was still a chance.

CHAPTER 2

Joshua wandered around town, aimlessly biding his time. Crowds of men seeking passage to California were everywhere. Joshua had never seen so many people.

The Palace Saloon, the place Captain Luther Chambers called his office, was plenty large for the crowd that used to gather there, but now it was overrun with men trying desperately to cling to anyone who could help them reach California. Gold was a tantalizing mistress.

Joshua walked through the wide door into the saloon. He was immediately confronted by sensual stimuli which would make most boys his age curious, but most assuredly apprehensive. The cavernous room was dark, noisy and worst of all; it was filled with the displeasing combination of cigar smoke, odors of humans unaccustomed to bathing and the smell of stale beer. Men were clustered around gaming tables. Others stood at the long bar, some deep in conversation with companions, and a few were singular souls paying close attention to their drinks. Girls worked the crowd, making sure customer’s glass was always full, and teasing the men to join them upstairs for a private party.

Joshua knew no one in the crowd but he was acquainted with their kind. Although he was only fifteen years old, he grew up quickly after leaving his Daddy’s farm nearly three years before. It all began when his mother died. That was the worst event of his life, but then Daddy had to take up with that Priscilla. It was not long before they married. There wasn’t much mourning time. Neighbors and people in town said harsh things. Joshua could have weathered that storm, but Priscilla drove him away. Oh, she was nice as long as Daddy was around, but when he wasn’t, she made life miserable for her new stepson.

He took work where he could get it. A few months back, he was a swamper at Mooney’s Boarding House and Saloon. Joshua cleaned up the mess after the crowd thinned out in the early morning hours. So far, he had not been tainted by alcohol and his employer, Mrs. Mooney, would never permit him to get too close to the girls, although several ladies had invited him to have that private party. He was sure curious, but he never had enough money to play the game.

Joshua took only a few steps inside the door when a heavy-set man grabbed him and tried to throw him back the way he came. Hey, son, you ain’t old enough to be in here. This is only fer men, not boys, the stranger growled.

I got business here, Joshua responded, looking the ugly brute square in the eye. The young man was confident in his ability to wallop just about anyone, even this big ugly bear.

Sonny, you better haul in your neck or I’ll tromp your britches fer ya! bellowed the bouncer.

Both men squared off. The crowd parted slightly, but most were too busy with their own amusements to pay attention to what was going on in their midst. However, Joshua recognized a voice from the crowd. Let that boy alone, Charlie, I invited him. Now leave him alone. It was the voice of Captain Chambers. Come on over here, boy. Don’t let that big ox scare you.

Joshua, pumped with adrenalin, marched over to where the Captain was seated. Chambers motioned him to sit at his table.

Why son, it seems as though you got a heart in your brisket as big as a saddle blanket, but you don’t fool with Charlie. He will hurt ya bad! Chambers exclaimed with a big smile on his face.

Now son, what can I do fer ya?

You said you wanted to see me, sir? asked Joshua.

Yes, son, do you still want to go to California? inquired the Captain.

Oh yes, sir.

Chambers asked Joshua how much money he had. Sheepishly, the boy told him he had fifty-three reales and some change. Joshua had rarely seen a real before he came to Missouri. They were silver coins minted in Mexico that everyone on the American frontier accepted as dollars. Since the United States banks were hording all the coins minted in their own country, there was no choice for the American citizenry, particularly those living along the frontier, but to use the Mexican coins as money.

The old man contorted the features of his face with a feigned look of disgust. Joshua mistook the look as a gesture of displeasure. He squirmed on the hard chair.

Well, plenty for the first week. You are about as poor as a toothless coyote, Chambers retorted sarcastically. Joshua was embarrassed.

I’ll tell you what, young feller; I need one more lad to help me with the folks who don’t know how to handle themselves in the wild. I might need someone like you to search for good places to camp, and the like. You’re plenty tall. Looks to me like you’re growin’ so fast that your head is pushin’ up through your hair. Son, you look a mite skinny, though. Looks to me like you would have to stand in the same place twice to cast a shadow, said the old man with a gleam in his eye.

Do you know anythin’ about horses, oxen and wagons and the rigs? the Captain continued. How much do you know about Indians and rattle snakes and bears, hey?"

The young man knew plenty about horses and wagons and rigs. Oxen he had seen in corrals on the outskirts of Independence. They looked something like the milk cows on his Daddy’s farm. Of course, he was familiar with cows. He milked them since he was very young. His father saw to it that Joshua had lots of chores. Joshua was at a loss, though, when it came to Indians and rattlesnakes and bears. The only kind of Indians he ever saw were the drunken ones that dallied around the creek, on the edge of town, near the saloon where he lived and worked on Bodine Street. It was an unseemly part of the city but he could always work for room and board and a little extra there. Indians seemed absolutely harmless except for their awful breath. And as far as rattlesnakes and bears, well he knew to stay clear.

The Captain started that game with his fingers again. This seemed to be his habit when he was thinking.

Captain Chambers, I can do anything you ask of me. I was raised on a farm and so I know everything about animals, blurted Joshua trying to muster all the confidence in his fifteen-year-old frame.

"Now listen, son, I can’t pay you wage but you can work off the price of