August, 1864 – A New Friendship Leaves a Lasting Impression. Mr. Parker and Dr. Rousseau form a bond and in a dire moment, when everyone else turns their back on the Rousseaus, Mr. Parker does not. “For which,” Mrs. Rousseau wrote, “I shall always remember with gratitude.”
September, 1864 – Unto Us, A Son Is Born. A sudden “sickness” takes over the women of the Pella Company, followed by the arrival of a child. Three babes are born enroute. Meet Jane Hamilton and Eliza Hays: two first-time mothers who give birth when violence and disease are striking.
October, 1864 – A Wagon Train Divided. “[Earp] told the whole train he would give up his Captaincy unless they would adhere to the rules he gave.” To get across the Mohave Desert, the Pella Company would need a leader with more diplomacy…
November, 1864 – How Their Feet Must Hurt! “At last, the two grey mares in the carriage gave out. Couldn’t go any farther.” After thousands of miles, quicksand, poison water, slippery slopes, and barren jourandas, the Rousseaus find themselves stranded in the mountains when their ever-loyal horses put out their last bit of strength.
December, 1864 – The Worst Birthday, Ever. The wagon train is stranded in the mountains… in the winter… with no food. Meet Elizabeth, the daughter who chose to stay behind with her mother (diarist Sarah Jane Rousseau).
Janelle Molony is excited to be deep in the throngs of Civil War and Westward Expansion research for her biographical…