Good Times Rolling: Conestoga Wagons

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. What were Conestoga wagons named after? Obadiah Conestoga, one of the first Oregon Trail pioneers The Conestoga Valley in Pennsylvania An Algonquin Indian word meaning 'heavy' The main route between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was called 'The Conestoga Trail'

2. Conestogas came in three sizes (small, medium, and large). How many tons could a Large Conestoga carry? Three to five tons Come on, as big as they were, they could not carry more than 500 pounds of cargo Forty to fifty tons Five to eight tons

3. The lead horse on a Conestoga was on the left and the driver sat on the left hand side of of the seat (on what was called a 'lazy board') holding the reins. When passing another wagon, the driver pulled to the right hand side of the road. This is believed to be where automobile driving on the right developed in the United States. True False

4. All Conestoga wagons are covered; all covered wagons are Conestogas. True False

5. Going down hills was difficult for all wagons, but Conestogas had a rudimentary form of brakes. The driver pulled a five foot long iron lever forward that pressed something against the wheels. What was it? A metal clasp called a 'grinder' Blocks of wood A rope called a 'strangler' A tree trunk was thrown from the back of the wagon to produce drag and therefore, called a 'dragger'

6. The horses that pulled the Conestoga needeed to be big and sturdy. A special breed of horse was used solely for Conestogas. What was it called? Friesian Brabant Trakener Conestoga

7. If a wagon owner did not have Conestoga horses, he could use what other kind of animal to pull the wagon? Mules Trick question; only horses could be used Donkeys Oxen

8. To get the horses to turn to the right, a teamster would yell "Gee!" What did he yell when he wanted to turn left? "Stop, you stupid horses!" "Whoa!" "Haw!" "Hup! Hup!"

9. Each Conestoga wagon horse wore a set of bells hanging from an arch that was attached to his collar. The horses in front, including the Leader, had five bells, those in the middle had four bells, while the ones closest to the wagon had three bells. What expression still in use today came from this arrangement? "The bells are ringing." "Saved by the bell." "Clear as a bell." "I'll be there with bells on."

10. It's evening and the Conestoga wagon driver is tired. He sees a tavern and decides to spend the night there. Of course, he has a few drinks with his friends and soon runs up a bill. What expression was used to warn him that he had better have enough money to pay that bill? "Careful that you don't go round the bend." "Don't bite off more than you can chew." "Mind your 'P's and 'Q's." "Make hay while the sun shines."