Chapman became an American pioneer, and before long he would become
a
legend, earning the nickname Johnny Appleseed.
As a young man, Chapman set out alone traveling west from his birthplace.
As he traveled, Appleseed claimed land, cleared it, and planted seeds.
Johnny
began by collecting apple seeds from cider presses. Until about the
age of
seventy, he traveled alone throughout the Midwest, planting apple
trees on land
he cleared. Johnny looked for good land that could support
trees. Wherever he
went, Johnny pulled weeds, took care of the soil, and
planted apple seeds. He
eventually owned over 1,000 acres of orchards
throughout Ohio and Indiana.
Johnny's dream was to enrich the land with
blossoming apple trees for
everyone to enjoy.
Johnny Appleseed worked hard caring for his orchards. He did not simply
plant the seeds and abandon the orchards. He returned to care for the
young
trees as they grew. It is said that he traveled hundreds of miles simply
to take
care of one of his orchards. He was truly dedicated to his apple trees.
Johnny was a good-natured man, so he made friends with people wherever
he
went. He became friends with Native Americans and settlers in the
territories
he
visited. Because he spent his time outdoors, he naturally
respected
the
animals.
He may even have shared his apples with them.
Johnny may have become well known because of his character. People
noticed this friendly, kind-hearted man who planted and cared for apple
orchards.
To people he met along the way, he sold his apple seeds and
saplings
for a few pennies each. Sometimes he even gave away his apple
trees. Some
stories say that he accepted almost anything for payment, even
old clothes.
According to the stories, settlers didn't need money to buy
Appleseed's trees.
Of course, those who told stories about Johnny Appleseed remembered to
mention his unusual appearance. They said he traveled barefoot in ragged
pants. According to the stories, he carried a pot that he sometimes wore as a
hat! He cut holes in a coffee sack and wore it as a shirt. Johnny was also said
to have very long hair that had seldom been cut. Can you imagine how he
must
have looked? But Johnny wasn't interested in looks. He was interested
in
apples. He was a happy man who shared his love of apples with others.
It's been many years since John Chapman roamed the Midwest planting
trees. We may never be able to separate the fact from the fiction of his
life.
But, he will always be remembered as a spirited American pioneer who
planted
apple trees. He will always be an American legend. He will always
be Johnny
Appleseed.
