Traveling Trunk

Old Bill Williams

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies

Old Bill Williams, even as a youngster, could fire a musket like a grown man. Old Bill grew up in Missouri where his playmates were Indian children. As he grew older, he became an expert hunter and trapper. In 1825, when the United States government sent a team of men to survey the Santa Fe Trail, Old Bill, who spoke several Indian languages, was employed as an interpreter. The story follows Old Bill through his Santa Fe Trail survey experiences and to his death at the hands of Indians many years later.

You can access the photos for the items in this trunk on the Fort Larned website.

Materials

Download Old Bill Williams

For background information about the Santa Fe Trail.

Download A Brief History of the Santa Fe Trail

Last updated: February 28, 2019