For Susan - note that the *survivors* of those ox trains moved so far and so fast. The non-survivors didn't. There were many non-survivors for various reasons.
Of course. Non-survivors of various other endeavors didn't move so fast, either.
But the people walked with the oxen, and the speed of walking oxen is about 2 mph, mules were a little faster, esp if they wanted to wear them out.
But the biggest killer of the pioneers on the OR/CA trail was disease: cholera (mainly), small pox, the flu, measles, mumps and tuberculosis, caused by having to drink from the water sources contaminated by the travelers ahead. After that was accidents.
Sue
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