 |
 |
|
|
|
Cricket says, "MY GRANDPA'S STORY" My grandpa, James John Wesley Tripp, born January 5th, 1925, to James Columbus "J.C." and Elby Ethel(Henderson) Tripp. He had one older sister May, and younger siblings Fay, age 6, Pauline, age 3, and Geraldine, age 2. In 1934, when Grandpa was 9 years old, they came from Keota, Oklahoma to Indianola, by wagon and team. (Keota is the other side of Stigler heading toward Ft. Smith, Arkansas.) They traveled leading two yearling colts beside their mamas, one milk-cow, a yearling heifer tied behind the wagon, a baby calf in the back of the wagon with what belongings they had, and a shepherd dog tied to the "cupinhole" under the wagon. For you guys who are not sure what that is, it is like a driveshaft for the wagon, it connects the front to the back of the wagon. (I had to ask). My grandpa, his older sister May, and their Dad, took turns walking behind the wagon to help make the milk cow and heifer keep up with the team. Grandpa's mother drove the wagon team, while the rest of the kids rode in the wagon. Grandpa said it took them three days to make the trip. Keep in mind that they had to stop to let the animals rest, eat their meals, feed the animals and, of course, sleep. |