Before 1870, Railroads were beginning to develop and change the way of life in the US. Boss Rob was the conductor of one of the transcontinental railroads that shipped both cattle and crops to and from places.
Native Americans and settlers nearby began to have tension, which was one of the effects of settlements. Settlers were killing their buffalos–the ones they used for food, to clothe themselves with, and to make their huts out of–and their poor conditions only grew from there. For the next 25 years, Van would hear about the Indian Wars.
Gogh Van lived in a sod house at one point before becoming a farmer and partially working for the transcontinental railroads.
Marveled by the installation of the groundwater well in his farm, Gogh Van barges outside of the broken windmill to see the well in action. Now he’s able to provide more for Boss Rob.
He along with a partner of his were supplied with little things, but put them to good use, especially the barbed wires which kept the animals from escaping. It also was a barrier between their land and the open range.
Gogh Van uses a steel plow to help his farm flourish. After hearing about the benefits of the homestead act, he’s encouraged to get a headstart into farming so he can use the land for his needs and embargo on a fresh life.