# How did folk "on the American frontier" view travelers/home security? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 26, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-folk-on-the-american-frontier-view-travelers-home-security/1025148 "2025-11-26T12:54:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 34
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-folk-on-the-american-frontier-view-travelers-home-security/1025148/34 "2025-11-28T02:00:24Z")
I’m sure that large portion of the reaction is based on the _appearance_ of the visitor. Ulf touched on the perception (at least in fiction, though I doubt the reality was much different) of Native American visitors, but I also suspect any large group of only men would be suspected more than a moving wagon full of an extended family. And of course, I suspect various missionaries/preachers would get a lot more tolerance. In fact, this question reminded me of the Johnny Appleseed column from the Cecil Columns of 2023. > [@Straight Dope 6/6/2023 - What did Johnny Appleseed actually do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-6-6-2023-what-did-johnny-appleseed-actually-do/985098): > > What did Johnny Appleseed actually do? I know what you’re thinking. In an age of global upheaval, existential threats, and outrageously overpriced Taylor Swift tickets, why is your columnist writing about a guy who’s been dead for the better part of two centuries and whose chief claim to fame is that he … planted trees? I’ll tell you why. Because, to the inquiring mind, Johnny Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman, is the most inexplicable figure in American history – a matter worth some… Which should fit the time frame and settlement period as suggested by @Dinsdale. Perhaps a slightly more established section of the expansionist era - but the refocus on his preaching work establishes a different class of traveler’s and the expected security risks. In a different vein, I also suspect travelling tinkers and merchants that could do critical repairs and staples that might be otherwise out of reach would be very welcome and given much hospitality. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-folk-on-the-american-frontier-view-travelers-home-security/1025148)._