From Bloomington to Taylor - Part 2

Based on the family information John Hansen and his family left Bloomington, Bear Lake, Idaho in 1899 to travel to their new property in Taylor, Bannock, Idaho.  In the booklet Bear Lake Pioneers of 1864 it states:

"When they came to Idaho Falls and Taylor, they left Bloomington down in the meadow near the outlet of Bear Lake in 1899.  Traveling in a white top buggy, wagons and the boys on horses who drove several cows and 30 head of sheep.  In the white top rode several chickens and the seed to plant.  They went down through Soda Springs to the Indian reservation.  Because of hoof and mouth disease they wouldn't let the animals cross the streams.  So the sheep came across in the white top buggy that is Blackfoot river as they came into Gosehn."

Sheep Wagons

Sheep wagons, which were common in Idaho's early history, were modified farm wagons with wide shelves extended outward from the sides to form benches and the cover extended over these benches to increase the interior space. They were equipped with a bed, table and stove inside and were used as living quarters for many Western sheep herders. A box for food supplies was attached to the outside with a hole cut in the into the side of the wagon to provide access to the food from the inside. The wagon's top was covered with canvas, and frequently had other layers (whatever was available) to add structural integrity and insulation.