Van ( fr. Fourgon ) - a covered wagon with a round roof.
Replica Migrant Wagon at a Museum Near Bend , Oregon
American migrants to the Wild West moved in wagons, usually pulled by bulls . The van, which became a symbol of the development of the West, was a real home, sheltering on a long journey from rain and snow, from the arrows of the Indians .
A family of five usually traveled in one van or about the same number of bachelor comrades. Crossing the Great Plains , the settlers traveled caravans from many wagons.
The vans were lovingly called the “ schooners of the prairies, ” since the white tarp with which they were covered resembled sails . [one]