The Wagon Train Story

The Wagon Train Story

Why did the group of Newton County residents decide to leave their homes near Richland Creek in 1879 and travel west? This is a question I have pondered after learning of the wagon train story. Several things had happened on Richland Creek. The Civil War left some families divided between North and South loyalties. Many of the families had been affected by deaths at end of the Civil War. A feud developed with some of these families of Meek/Meeks, Cagles, Standridges, and Ross families. The families lived along Richland Creek and were interrelated.

 Charles A. Cagle above and Lydia Margaret Standridge Cagle.  These were made in Idaho Territory 1880.

 Charles and Lydia Margaret in 1865 on their wedding day

Jeremiah Meek/Meeks was the son of Jeremiah "Shotgun Jerry" and Betsy Blevins Meek and Jacob "Blue" Meek was his uncle.   Jerry and Blue, along with the Standridges, were chased away from the settlement south of Old Carrollton in the 1830's.  Jacob and Jeremiah appear in the 1831 tax list of Izard Co., AR and by the 1840 census have settled along Richland Creek in what became White TWP, Carroll County.

Goodspeeds NW AR, Carroll Co. Page 335: 
"1832 on Long Creek below Carrollton. There were then living in the vicinity of Carrollton, Martin Standridge, his father, "Shot-Gun" Jerry Meeks and his brother, "Blue" Jacob Meeks, "Black Squire Blevins, Richard Blevins, Sam Blevins & others of Cherokee & English descent, whose society was not appreciated by their neighbors. They were from Georgia and had not been living in this county many years prior to 1832."  

After families moved south to the secluded Richland Creek area of Carroll County (before 1850), Jacob Blue Meek moved on to Texas, but Jeremiah Sr and the Standridges remained in this hidden mountainous cove--one way in and no way out.  The 1840, 1850 and 1860 censuses record Jeremiah Meek Jr. living near Richland Creek. He was born in about 1815 in Tennessee and was murdered near his home toward the end of the Civil War. He was married twice. The name of his first wife is unknown as she is dead by 1850. His second wife was named Elizabeth. She is far too young to be the mother of his older children. Jeremiah was a Justice of the Peace (several Civil War pensions refer to him being the person who solemnized their marriage).  He had a nice water grist mill built on Richland Creek. He was pro Union and probably was killed by supporters of the Confederacy. Jeremiah's brother John Meek may have been the leader of an outlaw type group reported to have robbed and terrorized during this period. Jeremiah was murdered about the same time that John Standridge and his sons were killed. John Sandridge's wife Mary was Jeremiah and John Meek's sister.

Jeremiah's children were married by 1870, excepting his youngest daughter Eliza Meek. Lewis Meek was married to Teletha Jones (daughter of John and Alapher/Alafair Meek Jones, John was a Cherokee Indian and brother to James Jones who married Mary Standridge). John Meek married Rebecca Cagle (he was killed in 1864 during the Civil War). By 1870, she had remarried to William Meek and is living in Stone County, Mo. William Meek is the son of Jeremiah's brother Lewis Meek of Stone County,MO. Richard Meek was married to Susan Cagle. She was married to John Standridge, son of John and Mary Meek Standridge. He was also killed toward the end of the Civil War. Alexander Coon Ross was married to Rhoda Meek. Coon was the son of John Wesley Ross and Rhoda Standridge. Rhoda Standridge Ross was the daughter of Martin and Catherine Standridge. Eliza Meek was the youngest child of Jeremiah Meek. She married James J. Cagle, but was still single in 1870. She is living with Lewis and Telitha Jones Meek when the census taker came through Richland Creek 1870. By 1880, Eliza Meek is married to James J. Cagle.

The lives of the mountaineers are interwoven like a tapestry. By 1870, Coon Ross lived on Jeremiah's place and was running the Meek Mill in Meek Hollow. Lewis and Richard resented the fact that Coon had the mill—or at least I have read that was the family problem. The Meek brothers kept coming to the mill and harassing Coon Ross. Reports say they even shot at him. Alexander Coon Ross was called Coon because during the Civil War he was something of a sharp shooter. They said he could even see extra well at night. Coon warned the Meeks to leave him alone, but in 1878 they came to the Meek Mill drunk, shooting, and yelling Indian war whoops! Martin Tal Ross, Coon's brother, was at the Mill that day. Coon shot Richard Meek and he died there near the Mill. He shot Lewis and he made it to his house and died there. Coon and Tal were arrested and tried in Newton County, AR. After the arrest, the Newton County sheriff just let them go back home. Both Coon and his brother Tal Ross were found innocent. Bitterness built between the neighbors of Richland Creek. Coon Ross moved to Treat, AR. Tal finally moved on to Oklahoma. I believe this bitterness between families is the reason several of the Richland familes decided to go to Oregon territory in 1879.

Glowing reports of the land and opportunity in Oregon Territory attracted many Arkansas families. The Newton County farms were rocky and hilly. Only small acreages was good for planting. The saying was—Newton County farmers used the top of their farms and all four sides. Probably the families decided to leave in late 1878 after Coon and Tal were found innocent and went free for Lewis and Richard Meek's murder. They readied their wagons and items to take along and in the spring of 1879 left Richland Valley. Lewis and John Meek (Jeremiah's brothers) both lived in Stone County, MO. The families went that way and stayed a while with their kin because William and Rebecca Cagle Meek joined the train and they were living in Stone County, MO.

How many families were on this wagon train is another question I have pondered. These families I know made the trip. Others may have went along that have not been identified.

Martha Isabell Cagle Reynolds made the trip. Her unmarried daughter Margaret was with her. Charles Nolan likely was hired or at least drove her wagon.

Jeremiah Standridge born in 1838 was one of the older men on the train. He was 40 years old and a Union veteran of the Civil War. Jeremiah was a strong man standing 6'3”, his pension file states. His wife was Nancy Cagle. His married son Alexander and young wife Mary Elizabeth Tilley went as did their children Isabell, George Washington, Mary, Grant, and Martha. Their son John married Emeline Smith and stayed in Arkansas.  Alexander Standridge and Mary Elizabeth Tilley were married in Newton County, Arkansas, in April of 1878.  This sets the date of the onset of the wagon train to be shortly after that date!

Charles Arter Cagle made the trip with his wife Lydia Margaret Standridge Cagle. Their children included Lemuel Riley, Mary Ann, Martha Isabell, Burton Columbus, and Margaret E.

Susan Cagle Meek, widow of Richard Meek, was on the train with no husband. She had been married twice—first to John Standridge who was a Civil War casualty and second to Richard Meek who Coon Ross killed. Her son Samuel was 17 and son Jeremiah was 13. They were now the leaders of her family. She, also, had James and Esquire in her wagon. Esquire was a Meek and I think the other 3 boys were Standridges.

Richard and his wife Nancy Felkins Standridge made the trip. He was almost 10 years younger than his brother Jeremiah. Their children were Lemuel (actually the son of Richard and his cousin Lucinda Standridge), Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, George Washington, Arkansas, Missouri, James, and Virginia Lincoln. Richard and Nancy named all their girls after states.

Alexander and Lucinda Ross Standridge were travelers. Alexander Standridge was called “Big Alex” because of his height. His wife was his first cousin and the daughter of John and Rhoda Standridge Ross. They had three children along, Mary, John, and James.

William and Rebecca Cagle Meek went on the train. William was the son of Lewis Meek of Stone County, MO. Rebecca had been married previously to Williams' cousin and had a son John Meek. Their children at the time were Mary, Lewis, Margaret and Susan. I think Margaret and Susan were twins.

Mary E. Cagle, sister of Charles Arter Cagle, was on the train. She married William Lane in Ada, Idaho in April 16,1880. So we know the train made it to Idaho by April. Ada County, Idaho is farther north than Cassia where the census taker found the train in the summer of 1880.

James J. and Eliza Meek Cagle were wagon train members. He is the brother of Charlie Cagle. Martha Cagle Reynolds is his mother. Eliza is the youngest child of Jeremiah Meek Jr. They have three children Henry, James and Mary.

Popular depictions of the Oregon Trail often include trains of boat-shaped Conestoga wagons bouncing along the prairie. But while the Conestoga was an indispensable part of trade and travel in the East, it was far too large and unwieldy to survive the rugged terrain of the frontier. Most pioneers instead tackled the trail in more diminutive wagons that become known as “prairie schooners” for the way their canvas covers resembled a ship’s sail. These vehicles typically included a wooden bed about four feet wide and ten feet long. When pulled by teams of oxen or mules, they could creak their way toward Oregon Country at a pace of around 15 to 20 miles a day. They could even be caulked with tar and floated across unfordable rivers and streams. Prairie schooners were capable of carrying over a ton of cargo and passengers, but their small beds and lack of a suspension made for a notoriously bumpy ride. With this in mind, settlers typically preferred to ride horses or walk alongside their wagons on foot.

A conservative estimate of the number of miles from Richland Creek to southern Oregon would be 1500 miles as we don't really know if the train ever made it all the way to Oregon. At a pace of 15 to 20 miles a day—a good day's travel—imagine how long it took the weary travelers to reach southern Idaho. But for some reason, when the group finally made it out west, they made the decision to come back to the hills of Newton County. The census was taken in Cassia county, Idaho in the last day of May in 1880. They had already started the return trip but were resting along the Snake River.

Census records of the Families on the Wagon Train:

1880 Census Albion, Cassia County, Idaho (page 161A) May 31, 1880

42-42
Cagle, Martha -- H Travling GA GA GA (Martha Isabel Pine Tree)
Margaret 18 D AR GA GA (should be AR TN GA)

Note by Betty: Martha Isabell Cagle is often said to be a Cherokee or other native American, but NO DNA records of her descendants show any native American. She was the daughter of Arthur and Sarah Williams Taylor.  She and Henry Edward Cagle came to Newton County, AR after 1850 from Warren/Franklin County, Tennessee, and bought land along Richland Creek.)

Nolan, Charles 21 Boarder CA Ire Ire
(Martha is the mother of all the Cagle's that went to Idaho Territory and Charles Nolan looks to be her wagoneer).

43-43
Cagle, Charles 32 H Farmer TN TN TN
Lydia 33 W AR TN MO
Samuel R. 13 S AR TN AR ( Lemuel Riley)
Mary Ann 12 D AR TN AR
Martha I. 9 D AR TN AR (Martha Isabel)
Burton C. 7 S AR TN AR (Burton Columbus)
Margaret E. 3 D AR TN AR (Margaret Emeline)
(Margaret Emeline is Nancy Jane Balmer's gr grandmother)

44-44
Meek, Susan 36 H TN TN TN (Susan Cagle Standridge Meek/Meeks)
Samuel S. 18 S AR TN TN (he was a Standridge)
Jeremiah 13 S AR TN TN
James W. 9 S AR TN TN
Esquire 6 S AR TN TN He was a Meek

45-45 Standridge, Jeremiah 46 H Farmer AR TN TN
Nancy 43 W TN TN TN (Nancy Cagle)
Isabel 17 D AR AR TN
George W. 12 S AR AR TN (Geroge Washington)
Mary E. 10 D AR AR TN (Mary Elizabeth)
Grant 6 S AR AR TN (Ulysess S. Grant)
Martha 5 D AR AR TN (Martha Pine Tree)

46-46
Standridge, Richard 36 H Farmer AR TN TN
Nancy J. 39 W KY KY KY (Nancy Jane Felkins)
Samuel W. 15 S AR AR KY
Tennessee 14 D AR AR KY
Louisanna 12 D AR AR KY
Alabama 11 D AR AR KY
George W. 8 S AR AR KY
Arkansas 6 D AR AR KY
Missouri 5 D AR AR KY
James H. 4 S AR AR KY
Virginia 1 S AR AR KY

47-47
Rigney, William 41 Freighter KY TN GA

1880 Census 14th District, Cassia County, Idaho (page 163)

48-48
Standridge, Alexander 40 H Farmer AR AR TN (s/o Jeremiah & Nancy Cagle Standridge)
Mary 20 W AR AR AR (Mary Elizabeth Tilley)
John H. 18 Cousin AR AR TN (s/o John & Susan Cagle Standridge Meek) Laborer
Note: Alexander's age was wrong, he was only 20 yrs old

49-49
Standridge, Alexander 25 H Farmer AR TN TN
Lucinda 24 W AR AR AR (Lucinda Catherine Ross)
Mary J. 9 D AR AR AR
John W. 6 S AR AR AR
James M. 2 S AR AR AR

50-50
Lane, William J. 24 H Farmer IN IN IN
Mary E. 21 W AR TN TN (Mary E. Cagle)

Notes: married in Ada County, Idaho

51-51
Cagle, James J. 24 H Farmer AR AR AR (should be AR TN GA/TN, s/s Martha Cagle)
Eliza 23 W AR TX TX (Might be AR TN TN) (Eliza Meeks)
Henry C. 4 S IT AR AR
James L. 2 S AR AR AR
Margaret 9/12 D ID AR AR

52-52
Adams, John 26 Laborer AR MO AR

53-53
Kingsburg, Thomas 48 H Freighter NY NY NY
Daniel 18 S IA NY NY
John 13 S ID NY NY

1880 Sublet Creek, Unita, Wyoming
June 2, 1880
Household 44 

Meeks, William Head 33 TX
Rebecca Wife 36 TN
Mary Dau 13 AR
Louis Son 10 MO
Margaret Dau 9 AR
Susan Dau 6 AR
Moses Son 10\12 WY
Meek, John brother 15 AR This says that John Meek is William's brother but I believe he is Rebecca's son from her first marriage. This William Meek family probably did not go any farther than Sublet Creek. It was reported that he and Rebecca stopped here, where she gave birth to Moses who was born the previous fall. So by fall of 1879 the train had made it to Idaho.

Likely, shortly after this census, the families treked back toward Richland Valley, Newton County, AR.

Note by Betty--Lidia Margaret Standridge married Charlie Cagle in 1865. Lidia was a sister to Howard Standridge. Their parents were Lemuel and Margaret Blevins Standridge. Howard Standridge was Granny Renfroe's father and Lidia her aunt.

They followed the Oregon Trail, along the Snake River to Idaho and would venture along the same route on their return to Arkansas. It would have taken nearly four months to get back to Arkansas. By September 1880, the families were moving across Kansas. Finding good water was always a problem for wagon trains. Somewhere in Kansas members drank contaminated water from a well, river, or some source. They became ill with typhoid fever. The train stopped near the outskirts of Americus, Kansas. Americus is a small town in Lyon County, Kansas on the banks of the Neosho River. The Neosho may have been the source of the typhoid fever. Americus is about 125 miles from Kansas City, MO.

Information about the ill wagon train has been gleaned from newspapers-- "Emporia News", under the "Americus Notes"--from September 20 1880 to November 6 1880. These articles (Americus Notes) were written by a man named Burlow, almost 140 years ago. Mr. Burlow's newspaper articles add facts to the wagon train story.

From Emporia News, Americus, Lyon County, Kansas Americus written by Mr. Burlow:

Monday September 20, 1880: Two families arrived in Americus, Kansas at the Howard's home on their return trip from Idaho to Arkansas, one man is very sick, this is what caused the delay for the wagon train.

Wednesday September 21 1880 (looks like it should say Tuesday) Five teams of those Arkansas folks arrive at the Howard's home, now there are four sick ones at the Howard's home and you would think it was turned into a hospital.

Wednesday September 22 1880 The sick ones at the hospital are not as well today.

Saturday September 25 1880 The hospital invalids are somewhat better today. The neighbors have resolved themselves into a sanitary committee and many needful things have been brought in to make the sick ones comfortable.

Monday September 27 1880 One of the sick ones at the Howard's house died yesterday and will be buried today. They did not have a name for him. The sick are no better today and the recovery of one or two others is rather improbable. (I believe the man who died to be Alexander Standridge son of Jeremiah and Nancy Cagle Standridge and husband of Mary Elizabeth Tilley Standridge. It is known from family records that Alexander died two days before or two days after the death of Lydia Margaret Standridge Cagle. This would make his death date September 26, 1880).

Thursday September 30 1880 One family left the hospital and started for "Ar-kan-sas". There are still about 25 left, five of them of whom are down sick at present, with good prospects for more. Typhoid fever seems to be the prevailing disease. One of the women folks (this was Lidia Margaret Standridge Cagle, Granny Renfroe's Aunt) were buried today, making the second fatal case from this place. The family that left this morning had three among them that had better have been under the doctor's care.

Saturday October 4, 1880 The sick ones at the hospital are improving since the sanitary committee did such good work for them and a repetition of their losses is not at present expected.

Monday October 6, 1880 Lastest from the hospital, only seven sick, not nine as was been reported. Two are dangerously sick, two are improving fast and three without much change for better or worse. Two of the ones that were sick are counted among the well ones now.

Friday October 8 1880 The Americus Hospital is under the charge of Dr. Stover.

Saturday October 9, 1880 All the sick ones are improving.

Thursday October 14, 1880 A child at the hospital by the name of Standridge, died today and was buried after sundown. The latest funeral we ever heard of. Ask Judge Cunningham about the graveyard witness.

Sunday October 17, 1880 The remaining six that are sick at the hospital are on the improve.

Thursday October 21, 1880 Mrs. Nancy Standridge departed this life at the hospital yesterday morning at 7:30 a.m.. this makes the third one of that family and the fourth one from that place that death has marked as victims.

Thursday October 26, 1880 Hospital sick ones are improving and Standridge proposes to move out next Monday.

Monday November 1, 1880 Charley Cagle (Granny's Uncle by marriage) is quite sick and Dr. Wright has been called to attend him. The rest of the hospital ones are improving fast, but they will not leave for some time yet. The county doctor has not been there since a week ago Saturday.

Saturday Nov 6, 1880 The Americus hospital in enroute for Arkansas and ye local reporter "Mourneth for items." By Burlow

This ends the articles found in the old newspaper film.

Lydia Margaret "Lidie" Standridge Cagle, became ill and died on September 30,1880 in Americus, Lyon County, Kansas, she was the wife of Charles Arter Cagle. Lydia had given birth to her 8th child, Melvira on September 14, 1880, just two weeks prior to her illness and death. Charles loved his wife and wanted to give her a proper burial. He cut off Lydia's long dark hair and sold it to a man who made horse whips out of her hair, in exchange the man provided a proper burial for Lydia. Alexander Standridge died two days before Lydia, Alexander was the son of Jeremiah and Nancy Cagle Standridge and husband of Mary Elizabeth Tilley. Nancy Cagle Standridge, wife of Jeremiah "Jerry" Standridge also died of typhoid fever on October 20, 1880. It is believed that Burton Columbus Cagle about 7 years old, and several other family members also died. Of the eight children born to Charles and Lydia, only five survived. After Lydia's death, Charles hired a wet nurse to feed and take care of his new baby and his small children. The wet nurse hired by Charles, was Mary Elizabeth Tilley Standridge, who would become Charles second wife on March 27, 1881 in Newton County, Arkansas, filed in Pope County, Arkansas. The wagon train fatalities are all buried in a cemetery called Americus Cemetery in the little town that befriended the travelers.

By 1881, the train had returned from where they started. Jeremiah Standridge married Teletha Jones Meek, widow of Lewis Meek. Mary Tilley Standridge married Charles Cagle. The Richard Standridge family moved to Oklahoma, but most of the families settled back in Newton County. Jeremiah Standridge later moved to Van Buren County, AR. Charlie Cagle moved to Jethro, AR in Franklin County. Tal and Coon Ross no longer lived along Richland Creek. Lives were changed by the the trip along the Snake River. As far as I know none of the families ever returned to Oregon Territory!

Betty Powell Renfroe March 2019