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Photos by Jim and Kathy Cummings

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 Pioneer Times

Parson John

The day began with Frank Jarboe (known as Parson John) speaking on The Influence of Religion on the Frontier.

The group next moved down to the river side for a talk and demonstration by Jim Jacobs entitiled “Travel by Water in the 18th Century.”

Not only did he show the best way to pack, he showed proper placement in his boat too. He took the boat out both empty and well loaded to show the difference the added weight made as to how it rode on the water.  Jacobs is well known for his skill on the water. Last year at Fort Boonesborough he conducted a class on boat building the 18th century way.

After a break for lunch the group reconvened up at the fort. In the auditorium Nathan Kobuk spoke on the clothing, accoutrements, equipment and travel of Native Americans. Kobuk’s presentation included slides of actual existing garments that he has personally studied. In addition he had examples on hand of goods patternend after the originals.

Then it was back outside again to the Longhunters Camp set up by Jesse Mains. (below)

Gathering around the camp at the rear of the fort.

In addition to showing tools and the type of camps set up the Longhunters, Mains talked of some first person accounts and the massiveness of certain operations. When hunters were taking thousands of skins he talked graphically about the sights and smells of such an operation.

This well documented program was presented by Lane and Ricki Linnenkohl,  Mike Heindl and Brenda Hornsby and started from the ground up.

The group’s knowledge comes from two sources. They have highlighted every reference to horse travel they have come across in their reading and then added the practical experience of having traveled with their packed horses to numerous events including the first interpretive event at Boone Station this summer.

Wallets or bags with the smallest items are tied on first making sure that nothing in them is poking the horse. Then blankets tied in rolls were added to the load making an open area in the center for bulkier items like water jugs, kettles and other household goods. The last items added were tools and weapons including a large saw from Jesse Mains earlier talk.  

Finally a short walk around the area to check the load  - making sure the weight is evenly distributed and comfortable for the horse.

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