He worked hard on the farm with his father and brothers until he was shy of twenty one on April of 1858. It was then that he got a hankering to see the wide open west. He told his father he was leaving one morning at breakfast. His father told him of the dangers of such a taking. He cited the weather, Indians, outlaws and so many other dangers to mention. He told John G. that he wished he wouldn't go. Bur John had made up his mind, and there was no talking him out of it. His dad wished him the best and did what he could to help him pack with the necessities he would need to survive.