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This sign says: "From 1840 to 1845 hundreds of men worked in this quarry to provide limestone for the construction of the temple. Work in the quarry was the major industry in historic Nauvoo and offered employment to many who came here.
The quarry is now underwater because of the dam erected down river in Keokuk, IA.
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It was a beautiful day in Nauvoo (79 degrees). After serving in the temple we took the following pictures and gathered some additional information about historic Nauvoo.
In the background is the oxen carriage ride. There is a path in front of the ride with journal entries about crossing the plains using ox drawn wagons. There is also some interesting factual information: "Oxen are cattle trained as draft animals. Most often they are castrated adult males. Usually an ox takes over four years to grow to full size and be trained. The term steer is used to describe animals of the same species and gender when raised solely for meat. Steers and cows are sometimes used as oxen when necessity warrants. Today there are almost ten times as many oxen in use as horses. Four out of every ten cattle in the world are kept primarily as draft animals, with most of these being located in Africa dn Asia. Some breeds of oxen can weigh over 2600 pounds and be taller than a man. They can stand idle for relatively long periods with little damage to feet and legs. A coarser diet can be fed to an ox than a horse, they are less apt to shy, and are better to eat. When the pioneers crossed the plains they found that the Indians were less apt to steal an ox than a horse. The art of driving oxen has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. The common commands used for driving oxen include Get up, Whoa, Back up, Gee (turn right), and Ha (turn left). Oxen are driven (actually led) with the use of voice commands and a whip or goad.
1840 Oxen vs. Horses
Oxen Horses
Cost $25 per team Cost $65 per team
Traveled at 2 to 3 miles per Traveled at 4 to 5 miles per hour.
hour (The speed of a walking
man)
hour (The speed of a walking
man)
Did well on native grasses. Didn't do as well on long
Could graze for a few hours sustained marches because
Could graze for a few hours sustained marches because
in the evening and process they need to graze longer and
the food later. They could more often. Required better
subsist on poorer quality quality forage and supplements,
forage than horses. like oats, to maintain good
condition.
They could be used for Not acceptable as human food.
human food when injured
or became to old to work.
They were not excitable, More flighty. Usually required
or likely to run away. experienced teamsters.
(Children could handle)
A wooden yoke cost $5.00 Leather harnesses cost $100.00
and could be easily repaired. and were hard to repair.
Could pull heavier loads Not as large or as strong as
than horses. an ox.
Weighed from 1,000 to 3,000 Weighed between 900 and
pounds. 1,200 pounds. (Heavy draft
horses were not common in
the United State in the 1840s)
human food when injured
or became to old to work.
They were not excitable, More flighty. Usually required
or likely to run away. experienced teamsters.
(Children could handle)
A wooden yoke cost $5.00 Leather harnesses cost $100.00
and could be easily repaired. and were hard to repair.
Could pull heavier loads Not as large or as strong as
than horses. an ox.
Weighed from 1,000 to 3,000 Weighed between 900 and
pounds. 1,200 pounds. (Heavy draft
horses were not common in
the United State in the 1840s)
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