USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -According to the Oregon California Trails Association, almost one in ten who embarked on the trail didn’t survive. Most people died of diseases such as dysentery, cholera, smallpox or flu, or in accidents caused by inexperience, exhaustion and carelessness.

Detailed explanation-2: -Combined with accidents, drowning at dangerous river crossings, and other illnesses, at least 20, 000 people died along the Oregon Trail. Most trailside graves are unknown, as burials were quick and the wagon trains moved on.

Detailed explanation-3: -Emigrants on the Oregon Trail suffered tremendous hardships. Death was an ever-present companion. It is estimated that as many as 1 in 10 emigrants died on the trail-between 20, 000 and 30, 000 people. The majority of deaths occurred because of diseases caused by poor sanitation.

Detailed explanation-4: -Famous explorers like Robert Stuart, Jedediah Smith, and Marcus Whitman found the South Pass through the mountains and blazed the trail that made wagon travel across the continent possible.

Detailed explanation-5: -It is estimated that 6-10% of all emigrants of the trails succumbed to some form of illness. Of the estimated 350, 000 who started the journey, disease may have claimed as many as 30, 000 victims. Since the trail was 2, 000 miles long, this would indicate that there was an average of 10-15 deaths per mile.