Stories of America Past: Prairie Tales That Bring Living History Into Your Homeschool
One of the unexpected joys of blogging has been meeting like-minded mothers, many of them fellow homeschoolers. I love receiving messages, comments, and shared experiences, especially when they deepen our learning together…and the following Prairie Tales do just that!
After one of my Little House on the Prairie Unit Study posts, a reader named Tonyia left this comment:
“We had a pioneer or two in my family and we have some family tales that will never make it into the history books! It’s a wonder that I am here!”
Anyone who knows me knows I couldn’t let that pass without asking for more. Tonyia kindly agreed to share her family’s stories, and what she sent became one of the most powerful pieces of living history we’ve read together.
These are true Stories of America Past. They are raw, fascinating Prairie Tales that bring depth and honesty to any Homeschool history study.
A Family Rooted in Frontier America
Tonyia’s grandmother was born in Indian Territory 100 years ago. Her family came west on the Trail of Tears and settled, or re-settled, depending on your point of view, in what would become Oklahoma. She was Cherokee on her mother’s side, and her life bridged Native American history, westward expansion, and frontier survival.
Already, this places her story at the heart of American history, far beyond what most textbooks ever capture.
Born Under a Covered Wagon
Tonyia shared that her great-grandfather’s family traveled from Missouri to Texas by covered wagon. The wagons carried all of their belongings, leaving little room for passengers.
They slept beneath the wagons for protection: from the weather, from danger, and sometimes from people.
And in her family’s case, babies were born there too.
“They slept under them for protection from the elements and the Indians and in my family’s case, they gave birth under them! It was at least a small amount of shade—not my idea of a good time… labour pains under a wagon—UGH.”
For homeschool children, this single detail often reshapes how they imagine westward migration.
Outlaws, Cowboys, and a Violent Frontier
Tonyia’s great-grandfather, Charles Evans, was born under that wagon and grew into what she describes as a “rough and tough wild thing.” His family settled in South Texas and remained there for generations.
Charles had a brother named Miriam, who hated his name and went by Jess Evans. According to family stories, Jess occasionally rode with Billy the Kid.
He was known for:
- Stealing horses
- Gun-slinging
- Robbing banks
And eventually, his reputation caught up with him.
In the town of Hondo, south of San Antonio, Jess was ambushed, possibly by Texas Rangers or a posse, and shot repeatedly. Even then, the men were afraid to approach him.
“Then he said, ‘It’s alright boys, I can’t get ya now.’”
They loaded him into a wagon, but before his brother could reach him, riding two horses to death trying, Jess was hanged and buried backward so he would not face the sunrise.
This is frontier justice, unfiltered.
Cattle Drives, Lightbulbs, and Learning Curves
Charles Evans later ran a ranch along the Atascosa River and held a government contract to drive cattle into Indian Territory after the bison were nearly wiped out, devastating Native American food systems.
On one cattle drive, Charles and his cousin (aptly named Cute, with a twin named Cole) finally reached Dallas.
They were thrilled to bathe, eat steak, and sleep indoors.
But there was one problem.
“They blew and blew and blew on the light and it wouldn’t go out—so they took off their socks and put them over the LIGHTBULB and went to sleep!”
It’s a moment of humour that homeschool children instantly connect with. Technology is only helpful if you understand it.
Lye Soap and the Cost of Cleanliness
Cole, Cute’s twin, disliked bathing, understandable when baths were rare and soap was harsh lye.
Trying to solve the problem, he lathered himself with soap and let it dry, assuming sweat would wash it away during work.
Instead:
“His skin peeled off.”
He didn’t complain, not once, and afterward, he was much more willing to bathe.
This story alone opens discussions about hygiene, chemistry, and pioneer endurance.
Marriage, Conflict, and Cultural Complexity
Charles Evans later married a Cherokee woman, something that confused many, as he had fought Comanches and carried scars from those battles.
Tonyia notes:
- A gunshot wound to his abdomen
- A knife scar down his arm
She explains the significance of the “Comanche Moon,” when raiding parties used moonlight, and how some called it the “Cornbread Moon” because it resembled cornbread baked in cast iron.
Their children split between Oklahoma and South Texas, hunting to survive.
Using Every Part: Survival Was Non-Negotiable
Tonyia’s grandmother spoke of eating:
- Bear meat (greasy and hard on the stomach)
- Squirrel and dumplings
- Fried rabbit
- Fried fowl including the feet
Nothing was wasted. Bear fat was rendered into soap. Ashes were added to stew for flavour. Bullets could not be wasted miss, and you went hungry.
Children wore leather necklaces with hog teeth to ensure straight teeth. Babies teethed on jerky or leather. Toys were corn husk dolls.
Even fuel came from dried cow patties or horse manure, burned to create smoke that kept mosquitoes away on hot nights.
A Dangerous World for Children
Tonyia reminds us that:
“Everything in this part of the country bites, or stings, and is venomous.”
Shoes and bedrolls were shaken for scorpions, centipedes, and snakes.
She recalls a cousin who died from a rattlesnake bite fang marks six inches apart.
And one final story:
A horse saved the toddler brother by trampling a rattlesnake before it could strike. The adults nearly shot the horse before realising what it had done.
Why These Prairie Tales Matter in Your Homeschool
These Prairie Tales show children that history is not tidy, gentle, or simple. They deepen any Little House on the Prairie Unit Study by adding voices that were never written into novels.
They teach:
- Resilience
- Cultural complexity
- Moral ambiguity
- Gratitude for modern comforts
And they remind us that real people lived these stories.
Hands-On Homeschool Activities Linked to these Prairie Tales
1. Oral History Project
Interview a family member and record their story.
2. Compare Perspectives
Contrast a Little House scene with one of Tonyia’s stories.
3. Survival Skills List
What skills did pioneer children need by age 10?
4. Map the Stories
Trace Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and cattle routes.
5. Creative Narration
Write a journal entry from the perspective of a frontier child.
Reflection Questions for Students
- Why do you think stories like these rarely appear in textbooks?
- How do family stories change your understanding of history?
- What part of these Prairie Tales affected you the most?
- How would daily life be different without modern medicine and tools?
- Why is it important to preserve Stories of America Past?
Final Thoughts about these Wonderful Prairie Tales
It truly was another world, one far removed from our own. We are deeply grateful to Tonyia for sharing her family’s Stories of America Past. They brought laughter, shock, reflection, and respect into our Homeschool.
These are the kinds of Prairie Tales that stay with children long after the lesson ends.
Discover more from ANGELICSCALLIWAGS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.