Episodes

  • George Washington Bush

    George Washington Bush
    Dec 17 2024
    His parents were freed slaves so George could travel anywhere. He worked for the Hudson's Bay Company in the Rocky Mountains. He tried farming but was drawn to Oregon, sold his farm and joined a wagon train. Upon arriving, he found that blacks were not allowed to settle in Oregon. He moved to the Puget Sound where he helped other settlers. He played a big role in securing the territory for the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Ladies of the Yukon

    Ladies of the Yukon
    Dec 10 2024
    Fifty-five-year-old Anna DeGraf climbed the rugged Chilkoot Pass. She was looking for her son. With her sewing machine, she made clothes and tents. She spent 20 years on the Last Frontier. Harriet Pullen was a cook in Skagway. She made apple pies for the miners. She used her horses to start a freighting company hauling miners supplies. She established a luxury hotel and died in Skagway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Queen of the Klondike

    Queen of the Klondike
    Dec 3 2024
    Belinda Mulrooney created an empire in the Yukon. Her supplies required 30 trips over the Chilkoot Pass. She built a hotel with great food, as good as any in the states. Her hotel was the first property with electricity, she brought in telegraph and telephones, formed a water supply company and provided goods and services for the miners. She partnered with miners and became wealthy, until she got married. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Women in the Yukon

    Women in the Yukon
    Nov 26 2024
    Chasing Yukon gold, one in ten were women. Some with husbands or on their own. They climbed the Chilkoot or White Pass Trails enduring cold, wet conditions and meager rations. They staked or leased claims. Some found riches but also started schools or businesses while raising children. They helped establish more than a community, they created civilization in the wilderness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • The Whitmans and Spaulding - Part Three

    The Whitmans and Spaulding - Part Three
    Nov 19 2024
    After the journey, the Spauldings established their mission in Lapwai, in what is now North Idaho. Eliza was well liked and respected by the Nez Perce. Henry, however, was not well liked, even resorting to whipping those who didn't obey. The Whitmans established their mission near present day Walla Walla. Narcissa did not like the always present Cayuse in her home. The influx of immigrants brought disease that nearly wiped out the Cayuse tribe. They ambushed the Whitmans killing them and eleven others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Whitmans and the Spauldings - Part Two

    The Whitmans and the Spauldings - Part Two
    Nov 12 2024
    The future missionaries made it to a rendezvous on the Green River. The Native Americans were amazed at seeing their first white women. They now faced the most difficult part of the journey. Across southern Idaho, to Fort Boise, then Blue Mountains and on to Fort Walla Walla. Now they were ready to establish their missions. Next week, part three, the tragedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Whitmans and the Spauldings - Part One

    The Whitmans and the Spauldings - Part One
    Nov 5 2024
    Narcissa wanted to be a missionary, as did Marcus, so they got married more as a business agreement. The same with Henry and Eliza Spaulding. They joined forces to travel to the Oregon territory to preach to the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians. The first white women to make the trek on what would be the Oregon Trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • The Lumber Rush - Part Three

    The Lumber Rush - Part Three
    Oct 29 2024
    Idaho lumberjacks sent logs down the rivers, but one log could cause huge jams. Dynamite worked, but was dangerous. Ephraim Shay invented a small railroad engine that effectively pulled log laden rail cars. John Dolbeer invented the steam driven "donkey engine" for extracting logs. Simon Benson invented the first successful method for floating log rafts to San Diego. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins