Death

Death was as constant as sunrise and sunset along the Oregon Trail. Cholera, mountain fever, and scurvy haunted the emigrants. Smallpox, measles, tuberculosis, diarrhea, and typhoid also paid frequent visits to the wagon trains.

Nine out of every ten deaths along the trail have been attributed to disease. Estimates are one grave was dug for every 80 yards of the trail. Cholera struck in epidemic proportion along the trail in 1849, 1850 and 1852.

Never allowed the comfort of extended mourning, emigrants quickly interred the deceased into shallow graves alongside the trail. Often a grave would be dug right into the trail, so the wagons would run over it, concealing its location.