ca. 1898
The word “trap” is derived from a cart in the 17th century England. The wagon had a compartment beneath the seat in which dogs could be carried, hence the name trap door cart. Over the years the name came to describe a light-weight, four wheeled carriage with an adjustable or “slide” seat and a compartment underneath.
Other examples of a trap include the English dog-cart, the Beer’s slide seat, the Kensington wagon, and the Iroquois. In England, these vehicles were also called “gigs”, which is believed to imply a light and rapid motion.
This particular wagon was made in 1898 and was acquired by U.C. Sterquell during the mid 1980’s. One of its previous owners included a museum in Clayton, New Mexico which claimed that the wagon had belonged to Jessie James. This information was incorrect as Jesse James died in 1882. Moreover, advertisements for trap did not show up until 1892. The restoration was very extensive and it was disassembled and re-assembled many times. This wagon was Mr. Sterquell’s favorite in the collection.