The American Spirit, July/ August 2018 edition.The Conestoga wagon played a major role in moving freight. Curator Roger B. White wrote that the wagon was "the undisputed king of the road in a procession of freight wagons that formed a cord from Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, Md., to ports on the Ohio River" such as Pittsburgh, Pa., and Wheeling, W. Va.
According to American Spirit, July/ August 2018 edition, Conestoga wagons originated in southeastern Pennsylvania according to Shumway. The name came from the Conestoga River Valley around Lancaster, Pa., where English and Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants used the wagon-building skills they'd brought with them to develop a vehicle suitable for America's primitive roads. Page 42-3.
No one can be credited with inventing the Conestoga wagon, Shumway noted. Instead, it evolved from Old World wagon designs. There were minor differences, but the general design and equipage were remarkably similar. Most were built of tough , heavy, well-seasoned white oak, hickory and other hardwoods.
The body, also called the bed or the box, rested on the wheel assembly, or running gear, at tow points in the stern and one in the front, where it was secured with a kingpin that allowed the box to rock back and forth on rough surfaces. The running gear did not have shocks-absorbing springs, so this built-in flexibility helped reduce wear and tear, and it also minimized jolts to the precious cargo. Shumway described the setup as "a basket on wheels." Page 43.
Lewis J. Cist participated in the movement of goods and assisted new settlers moving out west. He was part of team. Just as Mr. Shumway mentioned that no one can be credited with inventing the Conestoga wagon, but it played a major role in a continued effort of the American scene.
I mention Cist because I am recognizing the even though Cist is not credited with the movement of moving out west he was involved. There were thousands of settlers who moved westward. This is an additional example of how an individual played a part in a larger picture of working in a team atmosphere.
I can imagine Lewis Cist on a journey consisting of multiple wagons navigating primitive trails, battling hardships, such as, surviving rattlesnake encounters, Indian confrontations, food shortages, and other pioneer experiences.
Can you see yourself being a contributor towards a "team player" of a larger story? It could be in the tech world, non-profit organizations, in mental health care, or other situations that you care about.
This photo was taken at the Springfield Ohio Historical Society on 11/27/2018.
Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34 at gmail.com
August 28, 2018/ edited 11/27/2018
