Alabama to Ledyard by Covered Wagon

The following is taken from the Norwich Bulletin Courier, May 7, 1967. Larabee Whipple was the son of David Whipple; he is the seven-year-old boy to whom the article refers.

Muriel Whipple Haddon has noted on her copy of the article: “This family stayed with the Levi Crouches at Laurel Hill in Norwich when they first came back from Alabama.” Muriel recalled that her mother spoke of seeing “Uncle David” ca. 1899, when his youngest child was born, holding the baby next to his long, flowing, white beard. He was seventy at the time.

Alabama to Ledyard by Covered Wagon

BY LARABEE WHIPPLE

This is the story of Dexter, and his master, David Whipple, in the year 1894.

Many years ago there lived a young horse, who enjoyed almost complete freedom, and he intended to keep it that way. Though his eighth birthday came and went, and other horses were drawing wagons, he had since early life decided against such indignities. While out on the range, or commons, his usual greeting to anyone approaching with halter, or bridle, was to lay back his ears, raise [sic] on hind legs, striking out with fore feet, emitting a squeal, and cracking teeth together. This was usually quite effective. Feed or grain would entice him into the barn, but beware of entering a stall with him where he could crush you against the wall.

One day there came a man who admired his muscle and energy; thought he could make good use of him, and bought him. There followed many bouts, sometimes pretty rough, until the horse finally found the odds too strong for him, and grudgingly submitted to his master. His labor was not arduous, and he could still demonstrate, by laying back his ears, and cracking his teeth, but coming just shy of the mark, which he decided was the sensible thing to do. He was wearing a strong new harness, and hitched to a new lumber-wagon.

Go North, Young Man

Came the year 1894, and a severe business depression spread over the land. The man was 65 years of age, and raising his second family; a wife, and two sons, seven and four that summer. How could he support a family, and give his children the privileges he thought they should have[?] He began to long for his boyhood home in Connecticut. And he could not dispel the idea that Dexter could surely make it. So he put springs on the wagon, a top over the body, hung a hammock for the two boys, loaded up the necessary belongings, and family, and they were on their way. The route led across the corner of Georgia, near Lookout Mt., and I should also say that the start was from Birmingham, Alabama.

The April sunshine and showers brought life and beauty to the countryside; and with new scenery unfolding each day, and a wood campfire to cook their food, and warm them at night, —what a privilege for two young boys. Dexter was given freedom to eat the young tender grass by the roadside, and he seldom strayed very far away. Once he did enter a nearby oatfield, but on being called he easily scaled the fence, much to the surprise of the owner of the oatfield. He also seemed to feel that he was a very important part of the company, —which indeed he was.

Good progress was made each day, and after crossing the Natural Bridge in Virginia, a stop was made for two weeks, while the family and horse rested, and the man did some mason work. Then a farewell was given to the kind family who had been their host, and travel resumed. In places, quite a few miles of improved road, or "turnpikes," were encountered, with their toll houses; good at depleting the supply of small change. Crossing the Susquehanna River on a long covered wooden bridge, and avoiding the large cities as much as possible, they soon came to the Hudson River, at Nyack and Tarrytown. After crossing this on a small raft ferry, they made their way down towards the Connecticut coast on Long Island Sound, and proceeded along the dusty crooked roads, that later became Route 1. This section was most difficult for road building, because of granite ledges, large stones, indentations of coastal marshes, coves, rivers, and a thick growth of brush, vines, and trees. The bushes seemed to crowd in on each side of a narrow road. Soon they came in view of the wide open salt water of Long Island Sound and on the beach a small boat had just landed, with a good supply of fish that glistened in the sunlight. A most welcome sight indeed, after the many years of separation from the Ocean.

June Arrival

It was well now along in the month of June, and they were glad to reach their destination in Eastern Connecticut, where joyful greetings were exchanged with relatives. And I am glad to say that everyone was in fine health, and the long journey was completed without serious hardship. And Dexter? He served long and well afterwards, with, of course a few mild protests, when and where allowed. Such as the time when us boys wished to take him for a ten mile trip, one morning. When about a half mile from home he stopped. When urged to go he started violently backing, until about half turned around, then stopped. Patiently taking him by the bridle, and turning him away from home, we tried again to resume our journey, only to have him repeat the backing trick, so we had to give up our trip, and return home. However, later in the day, father took him over the same road without the least sign of rebellion on his part. Although many years have come and gone, there may still be a few elderly persons who would remember hearing about, —and perhaps even seeing the small gray horse, that pulled a loaded wagon from Birmingham, Alabama, to Ledyard, Connecticut, in the year 1894.