Heritage Gateways

Pioneer 1847 Companies

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1847: May 01-07 - Prairie Fires Make Livestock Feed Scarce

Date: May 1, 1847

Prairie fires burned along the pioneer route early in the week, making it hard for the Mormon pioneers to find grass for their livestock.

But this problem was forgotten May 1 near what is now Kearney, Neb., when the pioneers saw their first buffalo and engaged in a wild and successful hunt.

Later in the week rain put out most of the prairie fires, but grass for the cattle was even more scarce. The huge buffalo herds had eaten nearly everything down to the bare soil.

The Mormon pioneer trail and I-80 are almost on the identical track in this area. Motorists on the freeway are following the same route as the covered wagons.

Source: 111 Days to Zion © Copyright 1997 Big Moon Traders and Hal Knight. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This includes educational uses.