From the Life of John Clark Dowdle—Humor on the Plains

When people think of the experience of the pioneers, often the stories that come to mind are those of hunger, deprivation, and suffering. However, more often than not, the experience of the average traveler was quite different. There are many accounts of pioneers describing their journey as a great adventure as they saw new landscapes and wildlife. Other stories are lighthearted and full of hope and humor as they embarked toward a new life in the West with the people of Zion. For example, in this account, John Clark Dowdle tells the story of a young girl in his wagon train and her encounter with a fresh buffalo chip.

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