How did pioneers know or clock how many miles they traveled daily in wagon trains?

Question

Today we have odometers. What did pioneers use to clock mileage?

I have a copy of a semi-daily log kept by my great-great grandfather when he and his extended family migrated by oxen-pulled wagon from Monroeville, AL, to Tampa, FL, in 1872. He mentions in almost every entry how many miles they traveled. I would like to know how he calculated the mileage daily.

Answer 1

I don't know, but that's a durn good question!!!!!

Answer 2

redgriffin728 has it pretty much right. The average horse pulling a loaded wagon could travel on average at about 2 miles an hour (a rider on horse back could go three or four times as fast). Accounting for a ten to 12 hour day of traveling, they could average between 20 to 25 miles a day. But owing to the slower pace as redgriffin728 indicated, they marked their progress by landmarks along a given trail (read about the Oregon Trail). Such-and-such a landmark was said to be so-many-days' ride from here.

Therefore, they didn't really clock miles. They only had an approximate guess as to distances. It wasn't until the railroad construction crews with their surveying equipment even had the need or the means to measure along great distances in the American west.

Answer 3

Thy didn't they tracked their progress by days because their guides were always written as to days traveled most people who traveled by train walked all the way to either California or Oregon.
The Wagons only carried their furniture and supplies. Distance wasn't tracked the way we track it today it was a slower time ,Pardon the Pun.

Answer 4

It has to do with the sun. Check the website for more http://pio.sourceforge.net/

Answer 5

by how badly their butt hurt from riding the saddles all day