They called her Annie Oregon and were not surprised when she decided to leave Oklahoma leading her own wagon train to follow the pioneer trails to Oregon Territory in the mid-1880's. With three friends and riding Charley-boy, Annie Oregon led the way to Oregon City in the Territory of Oregon where the four women established a homestead and constructed all that was needed for the Double O Ranch, so named for Oklahoma and Oregon. The trail was treacherous with wolves, attempted rape, train robbery, dust storms, and other dangers. On the way, they met a couple selling two children whom they rescued and loved. Travel and homesteading in America's Old West was successful for families with the courage and determination of Annie Oregon. She looked tough, talked tough and even laughed tough so people usually stepped away and let her go on her way, thankful when she did. Her friends knew her toughness was an act of protection so nobody would bother her. They called her "Annie" and knew she could always be counted on as a friend. Annie Oregon grew up on her grandfather's ranch near the Washita River Her grandfather taught his granddaughter everything he knew by the time she was twenty-five and he died leaving the farm to her. One day, Annie Oregon went to visit with her seamstress, Calico Katy, for a fitting. Calico Katy was the only woman Annie every went to when she wanted another jacket, vest, pants and even warm winter socks. Her pants fit nicely over cowboy boots and had buttons on both sides, never in front like those the men wore. All the items except cotton shirts, were made with smooth buckskin and fitted tightly, just like Annie wanted. She was more flat-chested than bosomy Calico Katy so she was easy to fit any style of buckskin trousers she chose to have Calico Katy make for her. On that visit she told her seamstress, "Katy, I need four sets of everythin' with some extra socks. I'm plannin' to sell Grandpa's ranch, lock stock and barrel, and go as far west as I can go. I'll keep the ridin' stock and tack in case I need them on the trail since I plan to ride the horses all the way. I have a question for you, will you.." "Annie, I only ride side-saddle but could I go with you? " "Katy, you'd go with me? That's what I was asking. I love you girl and would love to have you along. You could either ride side-saddle or drive the chuck wagon which I want to take along with me. Back in town, Annie stopped in front of the saloon and went inside where she sat at a table near the stairs where the ladies waited for customers. Ada Mae and Minnie Who sat across from her. "Girls, have you ever thought of going out west?" Ada Mae giggled. "Oh, would I love to go west. How far 're you goin'?" Minnie Who leaned toward Annie and spoke in a low voice. "Are you askin' or just makin' conversation? I'm interested whether Will will let us go or not. We'd probably have to sneak away if you're goin' and would take us along." In low tones, Annie told them her plans. "On the trail I'm gonna need some help with the chuck wagon and the horses. I know you two better'n anyone else who might want to go along so I'm givin' you first choice. It won't be smooth and easy on the trail; just hard work and I promise you'll work up a sweat every day. One rule, no men anytime on the trail, even if they buy food at our chuck wagon. What you do when we get there is up to you, but I hope you'll choose to join me on the ranch as a couple of hard-workin' hands." The two women looked at each other and nodded. "Okay, you have two weeks, maybe less, to get some ridin' clothes because, let's face it, what you're wearin' might be pretty but won't work on the trail. You need some long pants, boots, a warm jacket and a hat that'll serve you in sunshine or in rain. Bring a second pair of boots. Most of all, you have to have an attitude to help do the harshest work we'll face gettin' to Oregon."
About the Author: Ann Gross Patterson grew up in Garvin County, Oklahoma, and attended Paoli schools before moving to Modesto, California in 1951. The first person in her generations of family to graduate from college, Ann graduated from Fresno State University in 1960. She taught eighth grade "Creative Writing" in Ceres, California, in 1960 and taught in other schools in California and Idaho. She served as an executive and a grant writer for numerous nonprofit charitable organizations in Idaho and Oregon before retiring in Portland, Oregon, where she began to write. All her life after college, Ann said "someday I'm going to write a book" yet she didn't start writing seriously until the age of seventy. Now she encourages anyone who has ever said "someday I will..." to not wait until 'some day' but do it now. She says, "Life is too short to put things off until tomorrow." Other books she has written are "A Life Renewed" about life in rural America during World War II, "Out in Love" about college co-eds falling in love during 1958-1960, and seven volumes of "Lesbians Rock, collections of lesbian romance stories. She is known as "best4writing" online where she recommends Writing.Com to aspiring writers.