HAULING WHEAT

NOW, in 1949, cars and trucks whiz over the roads of High Prairie. But during our experiences there, the only means of traveling or hauling was by horse power.

Our ranch home was sixteen miles from Lyle, our nearest store of importance, and our nearest wheat market.

In the fall when the wheat was threshed, Wallie hauled it and piled it in great high piles in a certain shed of our large barn. This shed was roomy enough that the two wheat wagons could be backed into it beside the piles of sacked and stacked wheat.

In the evening the two wagons were loaded to capacity before we retired for the night.

Harvesting scene in th early ninties.

Early in the morning, long before daylight, six horses were hitched to the wagons and the trek to Lyle was begun. This was a momentous trip.

The horses knew their business. There was the wheel team, hitched next to the wagon. These were the heaviest, most dependable team. Then the middle team, called the swing team, and in front, the lead team. These leaders became very wise. Two large wagons and six horses make a long awkward assem The roads were narrow and crooked and steep, much of the distance, over the mountain sides, where to miss the road a few inches would mean that horses, aud driver and wagons would go plunging hundreds of feet down those steep hills. The lead team soon learned to lead his load carefully, swinging out at just the right degree on the sharp corners, to allow the other four
horses, and the wagons the proper amount of road, on the sharp turns. The leaders also always wore the teaming bells. These bells gave warning to any team coming, that a load was near, so that a "turn out" in the road could be found, and the two teams could pass.

The roads from High Prairie all led into one main road at a certain point, the Hinnell Place, so the drivers all tried to reach that point first, and take the lead of the caravan of wheat wagons. If they were in the lead, they could get unloaded earilier, and so get started home earlier, as most of them had chores to do at home, besides loading their wagons for the next trip. These were busy and exciting times.

On the homeward journey, the men would often visit his neighbor for a short time in the adjoining wagon. The roads were so narrow that there was no choice as to where the teams should go, so the lines were tied around the whip socket, or some other secure place, and the driver would run to the neighbor wagon, leaving the lead team to pilot the other horses and the wagons, which they expertly and safely did.

The teaming bells performed yet another duty, besides acting as a warning to travelers. Each wife knew her husband's bells as well as she knew the color of his eyes.

I could hear Wallie's teaming bells while he was still a half mile from home. I'd listen carefully for them, and after the first sound, I'd have ample time to finish dinner, and so have a hearty meal piping hot, when my weary traveler arrived. And there was usually some little gift tucked away in the pocket of his heavy, blanket-lined ducking coat, for Allene and Nola and me.