Little House Little House on the on the PrairiePrairie

By Laura Ingalls WilderBy Laura Ingalls Wilder

Chapter SummariesChapter Summaries1.1. GOING WESTGOING WEST2.2. CROSSING THE CREEKCROSSING THE CREEK3.3. CAMP ON THE HIGH PRAIRIECAMP ON THE HIGH PRAIRIE4.4. PRAIRIE DAYPRAIRIE DAY5.5. THE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIETHE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE6.6. MOVING INMOVING IN7.7. THE WOLF-PACKTHE WOLF-PACK8.8. TWO STOUT DOORSTWO STOUT DOORS9.9. A FIRE ON THE HEARTHA FIRE ON THE HEARTH10.10. A ROOF AND A FLOORA ROOF AND A FLOOR11.11. INDIANS IN THE HOUSEINDIANS IN THE HOUSE12.12. FRESH WATER TO DRINKFRESH WATER TO DRINK13.13. TEXAS LONGHORNSTEXAS LONGHORNS

14.14. INDIAN CAMPINDIAN CAMP15.15. FEVER ‘N’ AGUEFEVER ‘N’ AGUE16.16. FIRE IN THE CHIMNEYFIRE IN THE CHIMNEY17.17. PA GOES TO TOWNPA GOES TO TOWN18.18. THE TALL INDIANTHE TALL INDIAN19.19. MR. EDWARDS MEETS SANTA CLAMR. EDWARDS MEETS SANTA CLA

USUS20.20. A SCREAM IN THE NIGHTA SCREAM IN THE NIGHT21.21. INDIAN JAMBOREEINDIAN JAMBOREE22.22. PRAIRIE FIREPRAIRIE FIRE23.23. INDIAN WAR-CRYINDIAN WAR-CRY24.24. INDIANS RIDE AWAYINDIANS RIDE AWAY25.25. SOLDIERSSOLDIERS26.26. GOING OUTGOING OUT

Going WestGoing West The Ingalls family consist of The Ingalls family consist of

Pa and MaPa and Ma, their daughters , their daughters Mary, Laura, baby CarrieMary, Laura, baby Carrie, , and their dog Jackand their dog Jack

The Ingalls are The Ingalls are movingmoving to to Indian Country to get away Indian Country to get away from all of the people in from all of the people in Wisconsin, according to Pa.Wisconsin, according to Pa.

They traveled in a covered They traveled in a covered wagonwagon

They crossed the Mississippi They crossed the Mississippi River when it was iced over, River when it was iced over, and they also crossed the and they also crossed the Missouri River on a raftMissouri River on a raft

The Ingalls are headed to The Ingalls are headed to KansasKansas

Ma and PaMa and Pa

Carrie, Carrie, Mary, and Mary, and

Laura Laura IngallsIngalls

Here is a map of the journey the Ingalls’ madeHere is a map of the journey the Ingalls’ made

Crossing the CreekCrossing the Creek

They come to a big creek and have to They come to a big creek and have to drive the wagon across itdrive the wagon across it

The girls had to remain still in the wagon, The girls had to remain still in the wagon, so as to not tip it overso as to not tip it over

Jack had to swim acrossJack had to swim across The wagon nearly tipped overThe wagon nearly tipped over Pa had to jump into the creek to save the Pa had to jump into the creek to save the

wagonwagon Jack never made it across to the other sideJack never made it across to the other side

Camp on the High PrairieCamp on the High Prairie

They all rested for a day on the prairieThey all rested for a day on the prairie They heard a pack of wolves in the distanceThey heard a pack of wolves in the distance At night they heard a wolf slowly creeping At night they heard a wolf slowly creeping

toward their camptoward their camp Pa took his gun out when they saw the Pa took his gun out when they saw the

wolf’s eyes glowing in the grasswolf’s eyes glowing in the grass The wolf turned out to be Jack! He had The wolf turned out to be Jack! He had

made it across the creek and somehow made it across the creek and somehow found themfound them

Prairie DayPrairie Day

The girls explored the prairie around The girls explored the prairie around their camptheir camp

They saw many gophers and strange They saw many gophers and strange birdsbirds

Laura was hoping to see an Indian, Laura was hoping to see an Indian, especially a papooseespecially a papoose

Ma dislikes IndiansMa dislikes Indians Pa played his Pa played his fiddlefiddle at night for at night for

entertainmententertainment

Pa’s FiddlePa’s Fiddle

The House on the PrairieThe House on the Prairie Pa stopped the wagon the next day when he Pa stopped the wagon the next day when he

found the perfect spot for their new home. The found the perfect spot for their new home. The nearest town, Independence, was 40 miles awaynearest town, Independence, was 40 miles away

Pa found an old trail nearby, possibly one the Pa found an old trail nearby, possibly one the Indians had used years agoIndians had used years ago

Pa cut logs from the trees that were near the Pa cut logs from the trees that were near the closest riverclosest river

Pa started building their Pa started building their new homenew home Ma hurt her ankle when a log fell on her footMa hurt her ankle when a log fell on her foot Pa met Mr. Edwards, a neighbor from across the Pa met Mr. Edwards, a neighbor from across the

river. He agreed to help Pa build their home, if Pa river. He agreed to help Pa build their home, if Pa would help him build hiswould help him build his

Mr. Edwards was a funny manMr. Edwards was a funny man

What the Little House on the Prairie looks like today. This is What the Little House on the Prairie looks like today. This is an exact replica of the original house.an exact replica of the original house.

Moving InMoving In

Pa finished the walls of the cabin so Pa finished the walls of the cabin so the family could sleep inside the the family could sleep inside the househouse

Pa heard more wolves in the distancePa heard more wolves in the distance Pa used the canvas cover for the Pa used the canvas cover for the

wagon as a roof until he was able to wagon as a roof until he was able to build a roofbuild a roof

The Ingalls’ spent their first night in The Ingalls’ spent their first night in their new hometheir new home

The Wolf-PackThe Wolf-Pack Pa and Mr. Edwards built a stable for the Ingalls’ Pa and Mr. Edwards built a stable for the Ingalls’

horses Pet and Pattyhorses Pet and Patty Pet had a colt, a baby horse, named BunnyPet had a colt, a baby horse, named Bunny Later that day Jack was acting strange, almost Later that day Jack was acting strange, almost

worried-likeworried-like Pa had gone out hunting and returned in a big hurry Pa had gone out hunting and returned in a big hurry

and announced that a big pack of wolves was coming and announced that a big pack of wolves was coming toward the housetoward the house

Pa told the story of the wolfpack during dinnerPa told the story of the wolfpack during dinner That night Laura was awoken by a loud howl, the That night Laura was awoken by a loud howl, the

wolves were circled around their new housewolves were circled around their new house Their new house didn’t have a door yet, so Pa had to Their new house didn’t have a door yet, so Pa had to

stand guard with his gun until the wolves left.stand guard with his gun until the wolves left. Jack stood right beside him, he had sensed the wolves Jack stood right beside him, he had sensed the wolves

coming that day, toocoming that day, too

Two Stout DoorsTwo Stout Doors

The next morning Pa made two The next morning Pa made two doors, one for the house and the doors, one for the house and the other for the stableother for the stable

Laura helped her father with the doorLaura helped her father with the door Laura loved helping Pa, she’d rather Laura loved helping Pa, she’d rather

be outside helping him than staying be outside helping him than staying couped up inside the house all daycouped up inside the house all day

A Fire on the HearthA Fire on the Hearth

Laura and Mary went with Pa to collect Laura and Mary went with Pa to collect rocks for the rocks for the chimneychimney Pa was going to build Pa was going to build

Laura wanted to see the abandoned Indian Laura wanted to see the abandoned Indian camps Pa had seen while huntingcamps Pa had seen while hunting

Pa mixed clay and water to help build the Pa mixed clay and water to help build the chimneychimney

Pa made a nice mantle for the fireplace, Pa made a nice mantle for the fireplace, where Ma could place her china dollwhere Ma could place her china doll

Ma was able to cook inside the house nowMa was able to cook inside the house now

The The chimneychimney

A Roof and a FloorA Roof and a Floor

Laura and Mary explored their new Laura and Mary explored their new surroundings whenever they finished their surroundings whenever they finished their choreschores

Laura still wanted to see a papoose. Ma would Laura still wanted to see a papoose. Ma would get upset every time Laura mentioned Indians.get upset every time Laura mentioned Indians.

Pa split logs to make boards for the roof and for Pa split logs to make boards for the roof and for their floortheir floor

Mr. Edwards had lent Pa some nailsMr. Edwards had lent Pa some nails Pa filled the cracks of the Pa filled the cracks of the log cabin log cabin with mud to with mud to

keep the wind outkeep the wind out

What the inside of the house probably What the inside of the house probably looked likelooked like

Indians in the HouseIndians in the House Pa went hunting and chained Jack to the outside Pa went hunting and chained Jack to the outside

of the stableof the stable Pa told the girls not to turn Jack loose for anythingPa told the girls not to turn Jack loose for anything Jack growled at Laura. He was really growling at Jack growled at Laura. He was really growling at

the Indians he saw comingthe Indians he saw coming The girls were scared and stayed close to Jack. The girls were scared and stayed close to Jack.

The Indians went into the house with Ma and The Indians went into the house with Ma and Carrie still insideCarrie still inside

The Indians The Indians were nearly naked, covered only by were nearly naked, covered only by small skunk skinssmall skunk skins

Ma couldn’t speak their language, but she made Ma couldn’t speak their language, but she made them foodthem food

The Indians soon left, taking all of Pa’s tobaccoThe Indians soon left, taking all of Pa’s tobacco

The Indians visit Ma and the The Indians visit Ma and the girlsgirls

Fresh Water to DrinkFresh Water to Drink Pa had made a bed using boards, rope, and strawPa had made a bed using boards, rope, and straw Pa next started digging a Pa next started digging a wellwell. He didn’t want Ma . He didn’t want Ma

walking all the way to river to fetch water when walking all the way to river to fetch water when he went to town.he went to town.

Mr. Scott, another “neighbor”, helped Pa dig the Mr. Scott, another “neighbor”, helped Pa dig the wellwell

One morning Mr. Scott passed out at the bottom One morning Mr. Scott passed out at the bottom of the well. He had forgotten to send a candle of the well. He had forgotten to send a candle down to the bottom to burn out all the poisonous down to the bottom to burn out all the poisonous gas. Pa had to rescue himgas. Pa had to rescue him

Soon the well was finished, and Pa put a cover on Soon the well was finished, and Pa put a cover on it for safety reasonsit for safety reasons

The actual well that Pa dug is The actual well that Pa dug is still there to this day!still there to this day!

Texas LonghornsTexas Longhorns

Laura heard a rumble in the distance Laura heard a rumble in the distance which turned out to be cattle ranchers which turned out to be cattle ranchers driving their cattle, Texas Longhornsdriving their cattle, Texas Longhorns

Pa agreed to help drive the herd across Pa agreed to help drive the herd across the riverthe river

Pa received a cow and a calf as paymentPa received a cow and a calf as payment Pa had a difficult time milking the cowPa had a difficult time milking the cow

Indian CampIndian Camp

Pa noticed the Indian camp that was Pa noticed the Indian camp that was nearby had been recently abandonednearby had been recently abandoned

Pa took the girls to go check it outPa took the girls to go check it out The girls found all sorts of colored The girls found all sorts of colored

beadsbeads Laura and Mary made a beautiful Laura and Mary made a beautiful

beaded necklace for Carriebeaded necklace for Carrie

Fever ‘N’ AgueFever ‘N’ Ague Ma and the girls would pick blackberries near the Ma and the girls would pick blackberries near the

river whenever they were riperiver whenever they were ripe They would get bitten by mosquitoes a lotThey would get bitten by mosquitoes a lot Soon the whole family was getting very sick. Soon the whole family was getting very sick.

They could barely move a muscleThey could barely move a muscle One morning Laura woke up to a friendly black One morning Laura woke up to a friendly black

man offering her some waterman offering her some water The nice black man was a doctor, Dr. TanThe nice black man was a doctor, Dr. Tan They were told they had gotten sick from bad They were told they had gotten sick from bad

watermelons and gotten fever ‘n’ aguewatermelons and gotten fever ‘n’ ague Dr. Tan and Mrs. Scott Dr. Tan and Mrs. Scott nursed the Ingalls’ back to nursed the Ingalls’ back to

good healthgood health The Ingalls’ didn’t know in those days that fever The Ingalls’ didn’t know in those days that fever

‘n’ ague was actually malaria, which they had ‘n’ ague was actually malaria, which they had gotten from the mosquito bitesgotten from the mosquito bites

Dr. Tan and Mrs. Scott tend to Dr. Tan and Mrs. Scott tend to the Ingallsthe Ingalls

Fire in the ChimneyFire in the Chimney

One day while Pa had was hunting the One day while Pa had was hunting the chimney caught firechimney caught fire

The fire was burning very close to the The fire was burning very close to the roofroof

Ma beat down the flaming sticks onto Ma beat down the flaming sticks onto the floorthe floor

Laura helped save the houseLaura helped save the house Pa said that he was going to town Pa said that he was going to town

tomorrow, and Ma wanted to send a tomorrow, and Ma wanted to send a letter back to their family in Wisconsinletter back to their family in Wisconsin

Pa Goes to TownPa Goes to Town

Pa was going to town, a four day journeyPa was going to town, a four day journey Mr. Edwards had come to help with the Mr. Edwards had come to help with the

chores around the house, but Jack chased chores around the house, but Jack chased him up the woodpilehim up the woodpile

Indians were rumored to be in the area Indians were rumored to be in the area againagain

Pa returned late on the fourth night, Pa returned late on the fourth night, bringing back food, a plow and some bringing back food, a plow and some seeds, and a gift for Ma, panes of glass to seeds, and a gift for Ma, panes of glass to make windows.make windows.

The Tall IndianThe Tall Indian One day a tall Indian showed up to the houseOne day a tall Indian showed up to the house Ma made a meal for him and Pa to shareMa made a meal for him and Pa to share Pa gave him some tobaccoPa gave him some tobacco The Indian, probably from the Osage tribe, The Indian, probably from the Osage tribe,

soon leftsoon left Pa realized the old trail he had seen when Pa realized the old trail he had seen when

they first moved here must be an Indian trail they first moved here must be an Indian trail that is still usedthat is still used

One day while Pa was hunting, a couple of One day while Pa was hunting, a couple of different Indians showed up and stole all of different Indians showed up and stole all of Pa’s furs that he had been saving to trade Pa’s furs that he had been saving to trade withwith

Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Mr. Edwards Meets Santa ClausClaus

The girls were upset because Christmas was The girls were upset because Christmas was coming, but a storm had come and made the river coming, but a storm had come and made the river to dangerous to cross. This meant that Santa to dangerous to cross. This meant that Santa Claus, who drove a sled of pack mules in the Old Claus, who drove a sled of pack mules in the Old West back then, would not be able to visit themWest back then, would not be able to visit them

On Christmas a strange rattling was heard at their On Christmas a strange rattling was heard at their door. It was Mr. Edwardsdoor. It was Mr. Edwards

He had just come back from town and bumped He had just come back from town and bumped into Santa Claus. Santa gave him the girls’ into Santa Claus. Santa gave him the girls’ presents, and Mr. Edwards risked his life crossing presents, and Mr. Edwards risked his life crossing the river to give the girls their giftsthe river to give the girls their gifts

Inside their stocking from Santa was a tin cup, two Inside their stocking from Santa was a tin cup, two candy canes, a heart-shaped cake, and a shiny candy canes, a heart-shaped cake, and a shiny new pennynew penny

A Scream in the NightA Scream in the Night

One night the whole family was One night the whole family was woken by a terrible scream, Pa said it woken by a terrible scream, Pa said it was a woman screaming and that it was a woman screaming and that it sounded like it was coming from the sounded like it was coming from the Scotts’ house.Scotts’ house.

Pa went to go check it outPa went to go check it out Pa discovered the scream was Pa discovered the scream was

actually a panther roaractually a panther roar

Indian JamboreeIndian Jamboree

Pa went to town early in the springPa went to town early in the spring Before Pa returned Laura had heard Before Pa returned Laura had heard

many Indians chanting in their nearby many Indians chanting in their nearby campscamps

When Pa came back he said the Indians When Pa came back he said the Indians must be having a jamboreemust be having a jamboree

Pa brought back beautiful hair combs Pa brought back beautiful hair combs for the girlsfor the girls

The Indian chants were getting louder The Indian chants were getting louder and faster each dayand faster each day

Prairie FirePrairie Fire

Throughout the spring more and more Indians Throughout the spring more and more Indians came to the area, often stopping by the housecame to the area, often stopping by the house

One day Laura saw dark clouds on the horizon. One day Laura saw dark clouds on the horizon. The clouds were actually smoke, and a prairie The clouds were actually smoke, and a prairie fire was headed right for their housefire was headed right for their house

Pa dug a ditch, a firebreak, and with buckets of Pa dug a ditch, a firebreak, and with buckets of water and wet rags he and Ma battled the firewater and wet rags he and Ma battled the fire

They saved the houseThey saved the house

Indian War-CryIndian War-Cry More Indians were showing up to the areaMore Indians were showing up to the area Each night the Indians’ chanting and drum Each night the Indians’ chanting and drum

beating got a little louder and fasterbeating got a little louder and faster In the middle of the night Laura was awoken by a In the middle of the night Laura was awoken by a

terrible sound, the Indians were yellingterrible sound, the Indians were yelling Pa told the girls that the Indians were talking Pa told the girls that the Indians were talking

about war against the white settlersabout war against the white settlers Every night the girls would hear louder war-criesEvery night the girls would hear louder war-cries One night they saw an Indian ride past their house One night they saw an Indian ride past their house

in a hurry, heading toward the Indian campsin a hurry, heading toward the Indian camps The chanting stopped soonThe chanting stopped soon Most of the Indians left, except the Osage tribe.Most of the Indians left, except the Osage tribe. Pa discovered that all of the other tribes wanted Pa discovered that all of the other tribes wanted

to kill the white people, but the Osages did not to kill the white people, but the Osages did not want this. The Osages had saved their lives, want this. The Osages had saved their lives, especially that one Indian that had rode by that especially that one Indian that had rode by that one night, he was their leader. His name was one night, he was their leader. His name was Soldat du CheneSoldat du Chene

Indians Ride AwayIndians Ride Away

One morning a bunch of Indians were One morning a bunch of Indians were headed toward the house in a lineheaded toward the house in a line

They marched right past the house They marched right past the house and continued out of sightand continued out of sight

Indians continued walking by the Indians continued walking by the entire dayentire day

Laura finally saw a papooseLaura finally saw a papoose

SoldiersSoldiers After the Indians had left there was a After the Indians had left there was a

peacefulness to the prairiepeacefulness to the prairie Pa had built a beautiful field of vegetablesPa had built a beautiful field of vegetables One day, after talking to Mr. Scott and Mr. One day, after talking to Mr. Scott and Mr.

Edwards, Pa had some bad newsEdwards, Pa had some bad news They would have to leave the territory, the They would have to leave the territory, the

government was giving it back to the Indians. government was giving it back to the Indians. Anyone that stayed behind would be taken away Anyone that stayed behind would be taken away by soldiersby soldiers

Pa was upset because he had built this beautiful Pa was upset because he had built this beautiful home, but did not want to wait around for soldiers home, but did not want to wait around for soldiers to come get him, so he decided that they family to come get him, so he decided that they family would have to movewould have to move

Going OutGoing Out

They had only lived there for about a They had only lived there for about a year, but they had to move againyear, but they had to move again

Just like before they loaded up their Just like before they loaded up their wagon with the necessities and set wagon with the necessities and set out across the prairie, heading northout across the prairie, heading north

Laura was sad, too. But she was Laura was sad, too. But she was happy to be with her family, no happy to be with her family, no matter where they werematter where they were

Visit the Little House on the Visit the Little House on the Prairie Historical SitePrairie Historical Site

A Brandon McAnulty A Brandon McAnulty PresentationPresentation

Some pictures of inside and outside of cabin are property of:Some pictures of inside and outside of cabin are property of:

Little House on the Prairie Little House on the Prairie Photography © Leslie A. Kelly Photography © Leslie A. Kelly 20002000