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Mcglashan + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Donner Party, by C.F. McGlashan + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the Donner Party + +Author: C.F. McGlashan + +Release Date: April 6, 2009 [EBook #6077] +Last Updated: February 6, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE DONNER PARTY *** + + + + +Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HISTORY OF THE DONNER PARTY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + A TRAGEDY OF THE SIERRA + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By C. F. McGlashan + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Truckee, Cal. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h5> + To Mrs. Elizabeth A. Keiser,<br /> One of the Pioneer Mothers of + California, <br /> <br /> This Book is Respectfully Dedicated by the Author. + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Preface. + </h2> + <p> + The delirium preceding death by starvation, is full of strange phantasies. + Visions of plenty, of comfort, of elegance, flit ever before the + fast-dimming eyes. The final twilight of death is a brief + semi-consciousness in which the dying one frequently repeats his weird + dreams. Half rising from his snowy couch, pointing upward, one of the + death-stricken at Donner Lake may have said, with tremulous voice: "Look! + there, just above us, is a beautiful house. It is of costliest walnut, + inlaid with laurel and ebony, and is resplendent with burnished silver. + Magnificent in all its apartments, it is furnished like a palace. It is + rich with costly cushions, elegant tapestries, dazzling mirrors; its floor + is covered with Oriental carpets, its ceiling with artistic frescoings; + downy cushions invite the weary to repose. It is filled with people who + are chatting, laughing, and singing, joyous and care-free. There is an + abundance of warmth, and rare viands, and sparkling wines. Suspended among + the storm-clouds, it is flying along the face of the precipice at a + marvelous speed. Flying? no! it has wheels and is gliding along on a + smooth, steel pathway. It is sheltered from the wind and snow by large + beams and huge posts, which are bolted to the cliffs with heavy, iron + rods. The avalanches, with their burden of earth and rocks and crushed + pines, sweep harmlessly above this beautiful house and its happy inmates. + It is drawn by neither oxen nor horses, but by a fiery, hot-breathed + monster, with iron limbs and thews of, steel. The mountain trembles + beneath his tread, and the rocks for miles re-echo his roar." + </p> + <p> + If such a vision was related, it but indicates, prophetically, the + progress of a few years. California's history is replete with tragic, + startling events. These events are the landmarks by which its advancement + is traced. One of the most mournful of these is recorded in this work—a + work intended as a contribution, not to the literature, but to the history + of the State. More thrilling than romance, more terrible than fiction, the + sufferings of the Donner Party form a bold contrast to the joys of + pleasure-seekers who to-day look down upon the lake from the windows of + silver palace cars. + </p> + <p> + The scenes of horror and despair which transpired in the snowy Sierra in + the winter of 1846-7, need no exaggeration, no embellishment. From all the + works heretofore published, from over one thousand letters received from + the survivors, from ample manuscript, and from personal interviews with + the most important actors in the tragedy, the facts have been carefully + compiled. Neither time, pains, nor expense have been spared in ferreting + out the truth. New and fragmentary versions of the sad story have appeared + almost every year since the unfortunate occurrence. To forever supplant + these distorted and fabulous reports—which have usually been + sensational new articles—the survivors have deemed it wise to + contribute the truth. The truth is sufficiently terrible. + </p> + <p> + Where conflicting accounts of particular scenes or occurrences have been + contributed, every effort has been made to render them harmonious and + reconcilable. With justice, with impartiality, and with strict adherence + to what appeared truthful and reliable, the book has been written. It is + an honest effort—toward the truth, and as such is given to the + world. + </p> + <p> + C. F. McGlashan. + </p> + <p> + Truckee, Cal., June 30, 1879. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> Preface. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_TOC"> Detailed Contents. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter XVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter XVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter XVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter XIX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter XX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> Chapter XXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter XXII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter XXIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter XXIV. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_TOC" id="link2H_TOC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Detailed Contents. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Chapter I. + + Donner Lake + A Famous Tourist Resort + Building the Central Pacific + California's Skating Park + The Pioneers + The Organization of the Donner Party + Ho! for California! + A Mammoth Train + The Dangers by the Way + False Accounts of the Sufferings Endured + Complete Roll of the Company + Impostors Claiming to Belong to the Party + Killed by the Pawnees + An Alarmed Camp + Resin Indians + A Mother's Death + + Chapter II. + + Mrs. Donner's Letters + Life on the Plains + An Interesting Sketch + The Outfit Required + The Platte River + Botanizing + Five Hundred and Eighteen Wagons for California + Burning "Buffalo Chips" + The Fourth of July at Fort Laramie + Indian Discipline + Sioux Attempt to Purchase Mary Graves + George Donner Elected Captain + Letter of Stanton + Dissension + One Company Split up into Five + The Fatal Hastings Cut-off + Lowering Wagons over a Precipice + The First View of Great Salt Lake + + Chapter III. + + A Grave of Salt + Members of the Mystic Tie + Twenty Wells + A Desolate Alkaline Waste + Abandoned on the Desert + A Night of Horror + A Steer Maddened by Thirst + The Mirage + Yoking an Ox and a Cow + "Cacheing" Goods + The Emigrants' Silent Logic + A Cry for Relief + Two Heroic Volunteers + A Perilous journey + Letters to Captain Sutter + + Chapter IV. + + Gravelly Ford + The Character of James F. Reed + Causes which Led to the Reed-Snyder Tragedy + John Snyder's Popularity + The Fatal Altercation + Conflicting Statements of Survivors + Snyder's Death + A Brave Girl + A Primitive Trial + A Court of Final Resort + Verdict of Banishment + A Sad Separation + George and Jacob Donner Ahead at the Time + Finding Letters in Split Sticks + Danger of Starvation + + Chapter V. + + Great Hardships + The Sink of the Humboldt + Indians Stealing Cattle + An Entire Company Compelled to Walk + Abandoned to Die + Wolfinger Murdered + Rhinehart's Confession + Arrival of C. T. Stanton + A Temporary Relief + A Fatal Accident + The Sierra Nevada Mountains + Imprisoned in Snow + Struggles for Freedom + A Hopeless Situation + Digging for Cattle in Snow + How the Breen Cabin Happened to be Built + A Thrilling Sketch of a Solitary Winter + Putting up Shelters + The Donners Have Nothing but Tents + Fishing for Trout. + + Chapter VI. + + Endeavors to Cross the Mountains + Discouraging Failures + Eddy Kills a Bear + Making Snow-Shoes + Who composed the "Forlorn Hope" + Mary A. Graves + An Irishman + A Generous Act + Six Days' Rations + Mary Graves' Account + Snow-Blind + C. T. Stanton's Death + "I Am Coming Soon" + Sketch of Stanton's Early Life + His Charity and Self-sacrifice + The Diamond Breastpin + Stanton's Last Poem + + Chapter VII. + + A Wife's Devotion + The Smoky Gorge + Caught in a Storm + Casting Lots to See Who Should Die + A Hidden River + The Delirium of Starvation + Franklin Ward Graves + His Dying Advice + A Frontiersman's Plan + The Camp of Death + A Dread Resort + A Sister's Agony + The Indians Refuse to Eat + Lewis and Salvador Flee for Their Lives + Killing a Deer + Tracks Marked by Blood + Nine Days without Food + + Chapter VIII. + + Starvation at Donner Lake + Preparing Rawhide for Food + Eating the Firerug + Shoveling Snow off the Beds + Playing they were Tea-cups of Custard + A Starving Baby + Pleading with Silent Eloquence + Patrick Breen's Diary + Jacob Donner's Death + A Child's Vow + A Christmas Dinner + Lost on the Summits + A Stump Twenty-two Feet High + Seven Nursing Babes at Donner Lake + A Devout Father + A Dying Boy + Sorrow and Suffering at the Cabins + + Chapter IX. + + The Last Resort + Two Reports of a Gun + Only Temporary Relief + Weary Traveling + The Snow Bridges + Human Tracks! + An Indian Rancherie + Acorn Bread + Starving Five Times! + Carried Six Miles + Bravery of John Rhodes + A Thirty-two Days' Journey + Organizing the First Relief Party + Alcalde Sinclair's Address + Capt. R. P. Tucker's Companions. + + Chapter X. + + A Lost Age in California History + The Change Wrought by the Discovery of Gold + The Start from Johnson's Ranch + A Bucking Horse + A Night Ride + Lost in the Mountains + A Terrible Night + A Flooded Camp + Crossing a Mountain Torrent + Mule Springs + A Crazy Companion + Howlings of Gray Wolves + A Deer Rendezvous + A Midnight Thief + Frightening Indians + The Diary of the First Relief Party + + Chapter XI. + + Hardships of Reed and Herron + Generosity of Captain Sutter + Attempts to Cross the Mountains with Provisions + Curtis' Dog + Compelled to Turn Back + Hostilities with Mexico + Memorial to Gov. Stockton + Yerba Buena's Generosity + Johnson's Liberality + Pitiful Scenes at Donner Lake + Noble Mothers + Dying rather than Eat Human Flesh + A Mother's Prayer + Tears of Joy + Eating the Shoestrings + + Chapter XII. + + A Wife's Devotion + Tamsen Donner's Early Life + The Early Settlers of Sangamon County + An Incident in School + Teaching and Knitting + School Discipline + Capt. George Donner's Appearance + Parting Scenes at Alder Creek + Starting over the Mountains + A Baby's Death + A Mason's Vow + Crossing the Snow Barrier + More Precious than Gold or Diamonds + Elitha Donner's Kindness + + Chapter XIII. + + Death of Ada Keseberg + Denton Discovering Gold + A Poem Composed while Dying + The Caches of Provisions Robbed by Fishers + The Sequel to the Reed-Snyder Tragedy + Death from Overeating + The Agony of Frozen Feet + An Interrupted Prayer + Stanton, after Death, Guides the Relief Party! + The Second Relief Party Arrives + A Solitary Indian + Patty Reed and Her Father + Starving Children Lying in Bed + Mrs. Graves' Money still Buried at Donner Lake + + Chapter XIV. + + Leaving Three Men in the Mountains + The Emigrants Quite Helpless + Bear Tracks in the Snow + The Clumps of Tamarack + Wounding a Bear + Blood Stains upon the Snow + A Weary Chase + A Momentous Day + Stone and Cady Leave the Sufferers + A Mother Offering Five Hundred Dollars + Mrs. Donner Parting from her Children + "God will Take Care of You" + Buried in Snow without Food or Fire + Pines Uprooted by the Storm + A Grave Cut in the Snow + The Cub's Cave + Firing at Random + A Desperate Undertaking + Preparing for a Hand-to-hand Battle + Precipitated into the Cave + Seizing the Bear + Mrs. Elizabeth Donner's Death + Clarke and Baptiste Attempt to Escape + A Death more Cruel than Starvation + + Chapter XV. + + A Mountain Storm + Provisions Exhausted + Battling the Storm Fiends + Black Despair + Icy Coldness + A Picture of Desolation + The Sleep of Death + A Piteous Farewell + Falling into the Fire-well + Isaac Donner's Death + Living upon Snow Water + Excruciating Pain + A Vision of Angels + "Patty is Dying!" + The Thumb of a Mitten + A Child's Treasures + The "Dolly" of the Donner Party + + Chapter XVI. + + A Mother at Starved Camp + Repeating the Litany + Hoping in Despair + Wasting Away + The Precious Lump of Sugar + "James is Dying" + Restoring a Life + Relentless Hunger + The Silent Night Vigils + The Sight of Earth + Descending the Snow Pit + The Flesh of the Dead + Refusing to Eat + The Morning Star + The Mercy of God + The Mutilated Forms + The Dizziness of Delirium + Faith Rewarded + "There is Mrs. Breen." + + Chapter XVII. + + The Rescue + California Aroused + A Yerba Buena Newspaper + Tidings of Woe + A Cry of Distress + Noble Generosity + Subscriptions for the Donner Party + The First and Second Reliefs + Organization of the Third + The Dilemma + Voting to Abandon a Family + The Fatal Ayes + John Stark's Bravery + Carrying the Starved Children + A Plea for the Relief Party + + Chapter XVIII. + + Arrival of the Third Relief + The Living and the Dead + Captain George Donner Dying + Mrs. Murphy's Words + Foster and Eddy at the Lake + Tamsen Donner and Her Children + A Fearful Struggle + The Husband's Wishes + Walking Fourteen Miles + Wifely Devotion + Choosing Death + The Night Journey + An Unparalleled Ordeal + An Honored Name + Three Little Waifs + "And Our Parents are Dead." + + Chapter XIX. + + False Ideas about the Donner Party + Accused of Six Murders + Interviews with Lewis Keseberg + His Statement + An Educated German + A Predestined Fate + Keseberg's Lameness + Slanderous Reports + Covered with Snow + "Loathsome, Insipid, and Disgusting" + Longings toward Suicide + Tamsen Donner's Death + Going to Get the Treasure + Suspended over a Hidden Stream + "Where is Donner's Money?" + Extorting a Confession + + Chapter XX. + + Dates of the Rescues + Arrival of the Fourth Relief + A Scene Beggaring Description + The Wealth of the Donners + An Appeal to the Highest Court + A Dreadful Shock + Saved from a Grizzly Bear + A Trial for Slander + Keseberg Vindicated + Two Kettles of Human Blood + The Enmity of the Relief Party + "Born under an Evil Star" + "Stone Him! Stone Him!" + Fire and Flood + Keseberg's Reputation for Honesty + A Prisoner in His Own House + The Most Miserable of Men + + Chapter XXI. + + Sketch of Gen. John A. Sutter + The Donner Party's Benefactor + The Least and Most that Earth Can Bestow + The Survivors' Request + His Birth and Parentage + Efforts to Reach California + New Helvetia + A Puny Army + Uninviting Isolation + Ross and Bodega + Unbounded Generosity + Sutter's Wealth + Effect of the Gold Fever + Wholesale Robbery + The Sobrante Decision + A "Genuine and Meritorious" Grant + Utter Ruin + Hock Farm + Gen. Sutter's Death + Mrs. E. P. Houghton's Tribute + + Chapter XXII. + + The Death List + The Forty-two Who Perished + Names of Those Saved + Forty-eight Survivors + Traversing Snow-belt Five Times + Burying the Dead + An Appalling Spectacle + Tamsen Donner's Last Act of Devotion + A Remarkable Proposal + Twenty-six Present Survivors + McCutchen + Keseberg + The Graves Family + The Murphys + Naming Marysville + The Reeds + The Breens + + Chapter XXIII. + + The Orphan Children of George and Tamsen Donner + Sutter, the Philanthropist + "If Mother Would Only Come" + Christian and Mary Brunner + An Enchanting Home + "Can't You Keep Both of Us?" + Eliza Donner Crossing the Torrent + Earning a Silver Dollar + The Gold Excitement + Getting an Education + Elitha C. Donner + Leanna C. Donner + Frances E. Donner + Georgia A. Donner + Eliza P Donner + + Chapter XXIV. + + Yerba Buena's Gift to George and Mary Donner + An Alcalde's Negligence + Mary Donner's Land Regranted + Squatters Jump George Donner's Land + A Characteristic Land Law-suit + Vexatious Litigation + Twice Appealed to Supreme Court, and once to United States Supreme Court + A Well-taken Law Point + Mutilating Records + A Palpable Erasure + Relics of the Donner Party + Five Hundred Articles Buried Thirty-two Years + Knives, Forks, Spoons + Pretty Porcelain + Identifying Chinaware + Beads and Arrow-heads + A Quaint Bridle-bit + Remarkable Action of Rust + A Flint-Lock Pistol + A Baby's Shoe + The Resting Place of the Dead + Vanishing Land-marks +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter I. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Donner Lake + A Famous Tourist Resort + Building the Central Pacific + California's Skating Park + The Pioneers + The Organization of the Donner Party + Ho! for California! + A Mammoth Train + The Dangers by the Way + False Accounts of the Sufferings Endured + Complete Roll of the Company + Impostors Claiming to Belong to the Party + Killed by the Pawnees + An Alarmed Camp + Resin Indians + A Mother's Death. +</pre> + <p> + Three miles from Truckee, Nevada County, California, lies one of the + fairest and most picturesque lakes in all the Sierra. Above, and on either + side, are lofty mountains, with castellated granite crests, while below, + at the mouth of the lake, a grassy, meadowy valley widens out and extends + almost to Truckee. The body of water is three miles long, one and a half + miles wide, and four hundred and eighty-three feet in depth. + </p> + <p> + Tourists and picnic parties annually flock to its shores, and Bierstadt + has made it the subject of one of his finest, grandest paintings. In + summer, its willowy thickets, its groves of tamarack and forests of pine, + are the favorite haunts and nesting places of the quail and grouse. + Beautiful, speckled mountain trout plentifully abound in its crystalline + waters. A rippling breeze usually wimples and dimples its laughing + surface, but in calmer moods it reflects, as in a polished mirror, the + lofty, overhanging mountains, with every stately pine, bounding rivulet; + blossoming shrub, waving fern, and—high above all, on the right—the + clinging, thread-like line of the snow-sheds of the Central Pacific. When + the railroad was being constructed, three thousand people dwelt on its + shores; the surrounding forests resounded with the music of axes and saws, + and the terrific blasts exploded in the lofty, o'ershadowing cliffs, + filled the canyons with reverberating thunders, and hurled huge bowlders + high in the air over the lake's quivering bosom. + </p> + <p> + In winter it is almost as popular a pleasure resort as during the summer. + The jingling of sleighbells, and the shouts and laughter of skating + parties, can be heard almost constantly. The lake forms the grandest + skating park on the Pacific Coast. + </p> + <p> + Yet this same Donner Lake was the scene of one of the most thrilling, + heart-rending tragedies ever recorded in California history. Interwoven + with the very name of the lake are memories of a tale of destitution, + loneliness, and despair, which borders on the incredible. It is a tale + that has been repeated in many a miner's cabin, by many a hunter's + campfire, and in many a frontiersman's home, and everywhere it has been + listened to with bated breath. + </p> + <p> + The pioneers of a new country are deserving of a niche in the country's + history. The pioneers who became martyrs to the cause of the development + of an almost unknown land, deserve to have a place in the hearts of its + inhabitants. The far-famed Donner Party were, in a peculiar sense, pioneer + martyrs of California. Before the discovery of gold, before the highway + across the continent was fairly marked out, while untold dangers lurked by + the wayside, and unnumbered foes awaited the emigrants, the Donner Party + started for California. None but the brave and venturesome, none but the + energetic and courageous, could undertake such a journey. In 1846, + comparatively few had dared attempt to cross the almost unexplored plains + which lay between the Mississippi and the fair young land called + California. Hence it is that a certain grandeur, a certain heroism seems + to cling about the men and women composing this party, even from the day + they began their perilous journey across the plains. California, with her + golden harvests, her beautiful homes, her dazzling wealth, and her + marvelous commercial facilities, may well enshrine the memory of these + noble-hearted pioneers, pathfinders, martyrs. + </p> + <p> + The States along the Mississippi were but sparsely settled in 1846, yet + the fame of the fruitfulness, the healthfulness, and the almost tropical + beauty of the land bordering the Pacific, tempted the members of the + Donner Party to leave their homes. These homes were situated in Illinois, + Iowa, Tennessee, Missouri, and Ohio. Families from each of these States + joined the train and participated in its terrible fate; yet the party + proper was organized in Sangamon County, Illinois, by George and Jacob + Donner and James F. Reed. Early in April, 1846, the party set out from + Springfield, Illinois, and by the first week in May reached Independence, + Missouri. Here the party was increased by additional members, and the + train comprised about one hundred persons. + </p> + <p> + Independence was on the frontier in those days, and every care was taken + to have ample provisions laid in and all necessary preparations made for + the long journey. Ay, it was a long journey for many in the party! Great + as was the enthusiasm and eagerness with which these noble-hearted + pioneers caught up the cry of the times, "Ho! for California!" it is + doubtful if presentiments of the fate to be encountered were not + occasionally entertained. The road was difficult, and in places almost + unbroken; warlike Indians guarded the way, and death, in a thousand forms, + hovered about their march through the great wilderness. + </p> + <p> + In the party were aged fathers with their trusting families about them, + mothers whose very lives were wrapped up in their children, men in the + prime and vigor of manhood, maidens in all the sweetness and freshness of + budding womanhood, children full of glee and mirthfulness, and babes + nestling on maternal breasts. Lovers there were, to whom the journey was + tinged with rainbow hues of joy and happiness, and strong, manly hearts + whose constant support and encouragement was the memory of dear ones left + behind in home-land. The cloud of gloom which finally settled down in a + death-pall over their heads was not yet perceptible, though, as we shall + soon see, its mists began to collect almost at the outset, in the delays + which marked the journey. + </p> + <p> + The wonderment which all experience in viewing the scenery along the line + of the old emigrant road was peculiarly vivid to these people. Few + descriptions had been given of the route, and all was novel and + unexpected. In later years the road was broadly and deeply marked, and + good camping grounds were distinctly indicated. The bleaching bones of + cattle that had perished, or the broken fragments of wagons or cast-away + articles, were thickly strewn on either side of the highway. But in 1846 + the way was through almost trackless valleys waving with grass, along + rivers where few paths were visible, save those made by the feet of + buffaloes and antelope, and over mountains and plains where little more + than the westward course of the sun guided the travelers. Trading-posts + were stationed at only a few widely distant points, and rarely did the + party meet with any human beings, save wandering bands of Indians. Yet + these first days are spoken of by all of the survivors as being crowned + with peaceful enjoyment and pleasant anticipations. There were beautiful + flowers by the roadside, an abundance of game in the meadows and + mountains, and at night there were singing, dancing, and innocent plays. + Several musical instruments, and many excellent voices, were in the party, + and the kindliest feeling and good-fellowship prevailed among the members. + </p> + <p> + The formation of the company known as the Donner Party was purely + accidental. The union of so many emigrants into one train was not + occasioned by any preconcerted arrangement. Many composing the Donner + Party were not aware, at the outset, that such a tide of emigration was + sweeping to California. In many instances small parties would hear of the + mammoth train just ahead of them or just behind them, and by hastening + their pace, or halting for a few days, joined themselves to the party. + Many were with the train during a portion of the journey, but from some + cause or other became parted from the Donner company before reaching + Donner Lake. Soon after the train left Independence it contained between + two and three hundred wagons, and when in motion was two miles in length. + </p> + <p> + With much bitterness and severity it is alleged by some of the survivors + of the dreadful tragedy that certain impostors and falsifiers claim to + have been members of the Donner Party, and as such have written untruthful + and exaggerated accounts of the sufferings of the party. While this is + unquestionably true, it is barely possible that some who assert membership + found their claim upon the fact that during a portion of the journey they + were really in the Donner Party. Bearing this in mind, there is less + difficulty in reconciling the conflicting statements of different + narrators. + </p> + <p> + The members of the party proper numbered ninety, and were as follows: + </p> + <p> + George Donner, Tamsen Donner (his wife), Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. + Donner, Frances E. Donner, Georgia A. Donner and Eliza P. Donner. The last + three were children of George and Tamsen Donner; Elitha and Leanna were + children of George Donner by a former wife. + </p> + <p> + Jacob Donner, Elizabeth Donner (his wife), Solomon Hook, William Hook, + George Donner, Jr., Mary M. Donner, Isaac Donner, Lewis Donner and Samuel + Donner. Jacob Donner was a brother of George; Solomon and William Hook + were sons of Elizabeth Donner by a former husband. + </p> + <p> + James Frazier Reed, Margaret W. Reed (his wife), Virginia E. Reed, Martha + F. (Patty) Reed, James F. Reed, Jr., Thomas K. Reed, and Mrs. Sarah Keyes, + the mother of Mrs. Reed. + </p> + <p> + The two Donner families and the Reeds were from Springfield, Illinois. + From the same place were Baylis Williams and his half-sister Eliza + Williams, John Denton, Milton Elliott, James Smith, Walter Herron and Noah + James. + </p> + <p> + From Marshall County, Illinois, came Franklin Ward Graves, Elizabeth + Graves (his wife), Mary A. Graves, William C. Graves, Eleanor Graves, + Lovina Graves, Nancy Graves, Jonathan B. Graves, F. W. Graves, Jr., + Elizabeth Graves, Jr., Jay Fosdick and Mrs. Sarah Fosdick (nee Graves). + With this family came John Snyder. + </p> + <p> + From Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, came Patrick Breen, Mrs. Margaret Breen, + John Breen, Edward J. Breen, Patrick Breen, Jr., Simon P. Breen, James F. + Breen, Peter Breen, and Isabella M. Breen. Patrick Dolan also came from + Keokuk. + </p> + <p> + William H. Eddy, Mrs. Eleanor Eddy, James P. Eddy, and Margaret Eddy came + from Belleville, Illinois. + </p> + <p> + From Tennessee came Mrs. Lavina Murphy, a widow, and her family, John + Landrum Murphy, Mary M. Murphy, Lemuel B. Murphy, William G. Murphy, Simon + P. Murphy, William M. Pike, Mrs. Harriet F. Pike (nee Murphy), Naomi L. + Pike, and Catherine Pike. Another son-in-law of Mrs. Murphy, William M. + Foster, with his wife, Mrs. Sarah A. C. Foster, and infant boy George + Foster, came from St. Louis, Missouri. + </p> + <p> + William McCutchen, Mrs. W. McCutchen, and Harriet McCutchen were from + Jackson County, Missouri. + </p> + <p> + Lewis Keseberg, Mrs. Phillipine Keseberg, Ada Keseberg, and L. Keseberg, + Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Wolfinger, Joseph Rhinehart, Augustus Spitzer, and + Charles Burger, came from Germany. + </p> + <p> + Samuel Shoemaker came from Springfield, Ohio, Charles T. Stanton from + Chicago, Illinois, Luke Halloran from St. Joseph, Missouri, Mr. Hardcoop + from Antwerp, in Belgium, Antoine from New Mexico. John Baptiste was a + Spaniard, who joined the train near the Santa Fe trail, and Lewis and + Salvador were two Indians, who were sent out from California by Captain + Sutter. + </p> + <p> + The Breens joined the company at Independence, Missouri, and the Graves + family overtook the train one hundred miles west of Fort Bridger. Each + family, prior to its consolidation with the train, had its individual + incidents. William Trimble, who was traveling with the Graves family, was + slain by the Pawnee Indians about fifty miles east of Scott's Bluff. + Trimble left a wife and two or three children. The wife and some of her + relatives were so disheartened by this sad bereavement, and by the fact + that many of their cattle were stolen by the Indians, that they gave up + the journey to California, and turned back to the homes whence they had + started. + </p> + <p> + An amusing incident is related in the Healdsburg (Cal.) Flag, by Mr. W. C. + Graves, of Calistoga, which occurred soon after his party left St. Joseph, + Missouri. It was on the fourth night out, and Mr. Graves and four or five + others were detailed to stand guard. The constant terror of the emigrants + in those days was Indians. Both the Pawnees, the Sioux, and the Snakes + were warlike and powerful, and were jealous, revengeful, and merciless + toward the whites. That night a fire somehow started in the prairie grass + about half a mile from camp. The west wind, blowing fierce and strong, + carried the flames in great surging gusts through the tall prairie grass. + A resin weed grows in bunches in this part of the country, generally + attaining the height of four or five feet. The night being very dark, + these weeds could be seen standing between the fire and the guards. As the + flames swayed past the weeds, the impression was very naturally produced + upon the mind of a timid beholder that the weeds were moving in the + opposite direction. This optical illusion caused some of the guards to + believe that the Indians had set fire to the grass, and were moving in + immense numbers between them and the fire with intent to surround them, + stampede the cattle, and massacre the entire party. The watcher next to + Mr. Graves discovered the enemy, and rushed breathlessly to his comrade to + impart the intelligence. Scarcely had Mr. Graves quieted him before it was + evident that a general alarm had been spread in the camp. Two other guards + had seen the Indians, and the aroused camp, armed to the teeth, marched + out to give battle to the imaginary foe. It was a rich joke, and it was + some time before those who were scared heard the last of the resin + Indians. + </p> + <p> + Only once, before reaching Salt Lake, did death invade the joyous Donner + company. It was near the present site of Manhattan, Kansas, and Mrs. Sarah + Keyes was the victim. This estimable lady was the mother of Mrs. J. F. + Reed, and had reached her four score and ten years. Her aged frame and + feeble health were not equal to the fatigues and exposure of the trip, and + on the thirtieth of May they laid her tenderly to rest. She was buried in + a coffin carefully fashioned from the trunk of a cottonwood tree, and on + the brow of a beautiful knoll overlooking the valley. A grand old oak, + still standing, guards the lonely grave of the dear old mother who was + spared the sight of the misery in store for her loved ones. Could those + who performed the last sad rites have caught a vision of the horrors + awaiting the party, they would have known how good was the God who in + mercy took her to Himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Mrs. Donner's Letters + Life on the Plains + An Interesting Sketch + The Outfit Required + The Platte River + Botanizing + Five Hundred and Eighteen Wagons for California + Burning "Buffalo Chips" + The Fourth of July at Fort Laramie + Indian Discipline + Sioux Attempt to Purchase Mary Graves + George Donner Elected Captain + Letter of Stanton + Dissension + One Company Split up into Five + The Fatal Hastings Cut-off + Lowering Wagons over the Precipice + The First View of Great Salt Lake. +</pre> + <p> + Presenting, as they do, an interesting glimpse of the first portion of the + journey, the following letters are here introduced. They were written by + Mrs. Tamsen Donner, and were published in the Springfield (Illinois) + Journal. Thanks for copies of these letters are due to Mrs. Eliza P. + Houghton of San Jose, Mrs. Donner's youngest daughter. Allusions are made + in these letters to botanical researches. Mrs. Donner, C. T. Stanton, and + perhaps one or two others who were prominent actors in the later history, + were particularly fond of botany. Mrs. Donner made valuable collections of + rare flowers and plants. Her journal, and a full description of the + contents of her botanical portfolios, were to have been published upon her + arrival in California. + </p> + <p> + Though bearing the same date, the letters here presented were written at + different times. The following appeared in the Springfield Journal, July + 23, 1846: + </p> + <p> + Near the Junction of the North and South Platte, June 16, 1846. + </p> + <p> + My Old Friend: We are now on the Platte, two hundred miles from Fort + Laramie. Our journey so far has been pleasant, the roads have been good, + and food plentiful. The water for part of the way has been indifferent, + but at no time have our cattle suffered for it. Wood is now very scarce, + but "buffalo chips" are excellent; they kindle quickly and retain heat + surprisingly. We had this morning buffalo steaks broiled upon them that + had the same flavor they would have had upon hickory coals. + </p> + <p> + We feel no fear of Indians, our cattle graze quietly around our encampment + unmolested. + </p> + <p> + Two or three men will go hunting twenty miles from camp; and last night + two of our men lay out in the wilderness rather than ride their horses + after a hard chase. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, if I do not experience something far worse than I have yet done, I + shall say the trouble is all in getting started. Our wagons have not + needed much repair, and I can not yet tell in what respects they could be + improved. Certain it is, they can not be too strong. Our preparations for + the journey might have been in some respects bettered. + </p> + <p> + Bread has been the principal article of food in our camp. We laid in 150 + pounds of flour and 75 pounds of meat for each individual, and I fear + bread will be scarce. Meat is abundant. Rice and beans are good articles + on the road; cornmeal, too, is acceptable. Linsey dresses are the most + suitable for children. Indeed, if I had one, it would be acceptable. There + is so cool a breeze at all times on the plains that the sun does not feel + so hot as one would suppose. + </p> + <p> + We are now four hundred and fifty miles from Independence. Our route at + first was rough, and through a timbered country, which appeared to be + fertile. After striking the prairie, we found a first-rate road, and the + only difficulty we have had, has been in crossing the creeks. In that, + however, there has been no danger. + </p> + <p> + I never could have believed we could have traveled so far with so little + difficulty. The prairie between the Blue and the Platte rivers is + beautiful beyond description. Never have I seen so varied a country, so + suitable for cultivation. Everything was new and pleasing; the Indians + frequently come to see us, and the chiefs of a tribe breakfasted at our + tent this morning. All are so friendly that I can not help feeling + sympathy and friendship for them. But on one sheet what can I say? + </p> + <p> + Since we have been on the Platte, we have had the river on one side and + the ever varying mounds on the other, and have traveled through the bottom + lands from one to two miles wide, with little or no timber. The soil is + sandy, and last year, on account of the dry season, the emigrants found + grass here scarce. Our cattle are in good order, and when proper care has + been taken, none have been lost. Our milch cows have been of great + service, indeed. They have been of more advantage than our meat. We have + plenty of butter and milk. + </p> + <p> + We are commanded by Captain Russell, an amiable man. George Donner is + himself yet. He crows in the morning and shouts out, "Chain up, boys—chain + up," with as much authority as though he was "something in particular." + John Denton is still with us. We find him useful in the camp. Hiram Miller + and Noah James are in good health and doing well. We have of the best + people in our company, and some, too, that are not so good. + </p> + <p> + Buffaloes show themselves frequently. + </p> + <p> + We have found the wild tulip, the primrose, the lupine, the eardrop, the + larkspur, and creeping hollyhock, and a beautiful flower resembling the + bloom of the beech tree, but in bunches as large as a small sugar-loaf, + and of every variety of shade, to red and green. + </p> + <p> + I botanize, and read some, but cook "heaps" more. There are four hundred + and twenty wagons, as far as we have heard, on the road between here and + Oregon and California. + </p> + <p> + Give our love to all inquiring friends. God bless them. Yours, truly, + </p> + <p> + Mrs. George Donner. + </p> + <p> + The following letter was published in the journal of July 30, 1846: + </p> + <p> + South Fork of the Nebraska, Ten Miles from the Crossing, Tuesday, June 16, + 1846. + </p> + <p> + Dear Friend: To-day, at nooning, there passed, going to the States, seven + men from Oregon, who went out last year. One of them was well acquainted + with Messrs. Ide and Cadden Keyes, the latter of whom, he says, went to + California. They met the advance Oregon caravan about 150 miles west of + Fort Laramie, and counted in all, for Oregon and California (excepting + ours), 478 wagons. There are in our company over 40 wagons, making 518 in + all, and there are said to be yet 20 behind. To-morrow we cross the river, + and, by reckoning, will be over 200 miles from Fort Laramie, where we + intend to stop and repair our wagon wheels. They are nearly all loose, and + I am afraid we will have to stop sooner, if there can be found wood + suitable to heat the tires. There is no wood here, and our women and + children are out now gathering "buffalo chips" to burn, in order to do the + cooking. These chips burn well. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. George Donner. + </p> + <p> + At Fort Laramie a portion of the Donner Party celebrated the Fourth of + July, 1846. Arriving there on the evening of the third, they pitched camp + somewhat earlier than usual, and prepared a grand dinner for the Fourth. + At the Fort were a large party of Sioux who were on the war-path against + the Snakes or Pawnees. The Sioux were, perhaps, the most warlike Indian + nation on the great prairies, and when dressed in their war paint and + mounted on their fleet ponies, presented a truly imposing appearance. The + utmost friendliness prevailed, and there was a mutual interchange of gifts + and genial courtesies. When the Donner Party pursued their march, and had + journeyed half a day from the Fort, they were overtaken and convoyed quite + a distance by about three hundred young warriors. The escort rode in pairs + alongside the train in true military fashion. Finally halting, they opened + ranks; and as the wagons passed, each warrior held in his mouth a green + twig or leaf, which was said to be emblematic of peacefulness and good + feeling. + </p> + <p> + The train was never seriously molested by the Sioux. On one occasion, + about fifty warriors on horseback surrounded a portion of the train, in + which was the Graves family. While generally friendly, a few of the baser + sort persisted in attempting to steal, or take by force, trivial articles + which struck their fancy. The main body of Indians were encamped about + half a mile away, and when the annoyances became too exasperating, W. C. + Graves mounted a horse, rode to the encampment, and notified the Chief of + the action of his followers. Seizing an old-fashioned single-barreled + shotgun, the Chief sprang upon his horse and fairly flew over the plain + toward the emigrant wagons. When within about a hundred yards of the train + he attracted attention by giving an Indian whoop, which was so full of + rage and imprecation that the startled warriors forthwith desisted from + their petty persecutions and scattered in every direction like frightened + quail. One of the would-be marauders was a little tardy in mounting his + pony, and as soon as the Chief got within range, the shotgun was leveled + and discharged full at the unruly subject. Three of the buckshot entered + the pony's side and one grazed the warrior's leg. As if satisfied that his + orders to treat the emigrants in a friendly manner would not be again + disregarded, the Chief wheeled his horse about, and in the most grave and + stately manner rode back to his encampment. + </p> + <p> + On another occasion, Mary Graves, who was a very beautiful young lady, was + riding on horseback accompanied by her brother. They were a little in the + rear of the train, and a band of Sioux Indians, becoming enamored with the + maiden, offered to purchase her. They made very handsome offers, but the + brother not being disposed to accept, one of the Indians seized the bridle + of the girl's horse and attempted to carry her away captive. Perhaps the + attempt was made in half jest. At all events the bridle was promptly + dropped when the brother leveled his rifle at the savage. + </p> + <p> + On the twentieth of July, 1846, George Donner was elected Captain of the + train at the Little Sandy River. From that time forward it was known as + the Donner Party. + </p> + <p> + One incident, not at all unusual to a trip across the plains, is pointedly + described in a letter written by C. T. Stanton to his brother, Sidney + Stanton, now of Cazenovia, New York. The incident alluded to is the + unfriendliness and want of harmony so liable to exist between different + companies, and between members of the same company. From one of Mr. + Stanton's letters the following extract is made: + </p> + <p> + "At noon we passed Boggs' company on the Sweetwater; a mile further up the + river, Dunlavy's; a mile further, West's; and about two miles beyond that, + was Dunbar's. We encamped about half way between the two latter. Thus, + within five miles were encamped five companies. At Indian Creek, twenty + miles from Independence, these five companies all constituted one, but + owing to dissensions and quarreling they became broken into fragments. + Now, by accident, we all again once more meet and grasp the cordial hand; + old enmities are forgot, and nothing but good feeling prevails. * * * * * + The next morning we got rather a late start, owing to a difference of + opinion arising in our company as to whether we should lie by or go ahead. + Those wishing to lie by were principally young men who wished to have a + day's hunting among the buffaloes, and there were also a few families out + of meat who wished to lay in a supply before they left the buffalo + country. A further reason was urged that the cattle were nearly fagged out + by hard travel, and that they would not stand the journey unless we + stopped and gave them rest. On the other side it was contended that if we + stopped here the other companies would all get ahead, the grass would all + he eaten off by their thousand head of cattle, and that consequently, when + we came along, our cattle would starve. The go-ahead party finally ruled + and we rolled out." + </p> + <p> + As will presently be seen, the dissension existing in the company, and the + petty differences of opinion and interest, were the fundamental causes of + the calamities which befell the Donner Party. + </p> + <p> + When the company was near Fort Bridger, Edward Breen's leg was broken by a + fall from a horse. His mother refused to permit amputation, or rather left + the question to Edward's decision, and of course, boy-like, he refused to + have the operation performed. Contrary to expectation, the bone knitted, + and in a month he walked without a crutch. + </p> + <p> + At Fort Bridger, which was at this time a mere camp or trading post, the + party heard much commendation bestowed upon a new route via Salt Lake. + This route passed along the southern shore of the Lake, and rejoined the + old Fort Hall emigrant road on the Humboldt. It was said to shorten the + distance three hundred miles. The new route was known as the Hastings + Cut-off, and was named after the famous Lansford W. Hastings, who was even + then piloting a small company over the cut-off. The large trains delayed + for three or four days at Fort Bridger, debating as to the best course to + pursue. It is claimed that but for the earnest advice and solicitation of + Bridger and Vasquez, who had charge of the fort, the entire party would + have continued by the accustomed route. These men had a direct interest in + the Hastings Cut-off, as they furnished the emigrants with supplies, and + had employed Hastings to pilot the first company over the road to Salt + Lake. + </p> + <p> + After mature deliberation, the party divided, the greater portion going by + Fort Hall and reaching California in safety. With the large train, which + journeyed the old road, this narrative is no longer interested. + Eighty-seven persons, however, took the Hastings Cut-off. Their names are + included in the ninety mentioned in the preceding chapter, it being + remembered that Mrs. Sarah Keyes had died, and that Lewis and Salvador + were not yet members of the party. For several days the party traveled + without much difficulty. They reached Weber River near the head of the + well-known Weber Canyon. At the first crossing of this river, on the third + of August, they found a letter from Hastings stuck in the split of a + stick, informing them that the road down the Weber Canyon was in a + terrible condition, and that it was doubtful if the sixty-six wagons which + L. W. Hastings was then piloting through the canyon would ever succeed in + reaching the plain. In the letter, Hastings advised all emigrants to avoid + the canyon road, and pursue over the mountains a course which he faintly + outlined. In order to obtain further information, and, if possible, to + induce Hastings to return and act as guide, Messrs. Reed, Stanton, and + Pike were sent forward to overtake the advance company. This was + accomplished after a fatiguing trip, which so exhausted the horses of + Stanton and Pike that these gentlemen were unable to return to the Donner + Party. Hastings was overtaken at a point near the southern end of Great + Salt Lake, and came back with Reed to the foot of the bluffs overlooking + the present city of Salt Lake. Here he declared that he must return to the + company he was piloting, and despite the urgent entreaties of Reed, + decided that it was his duty to start back the next morning. He finally + consented, however, to ascend to the summit of the Wahsatch Mountains, + from which he endeavored, as best he could, to point out the direction in + which the wagons must travel from the head of Weber Canyon. Reed proceeded + alone on the route indicated, taking notes of the country and occasionally + blazing trees to assist him in retracing the course. + </p> + <p> + Wm. G. Murphy (now of Marysville, Cal.) says that the wagons remained in + the meadows at the head of Weber Canyon until Reed's return. They then + learned that the train which preceded them had been compelled to travel + very slowly down the Weber River, filling in many irregular places with + brush and dirt; that at last they had reached a place where vast + perpendicular pillars of rock approached so closely on either side that + the river had barely space to flow between, and just here the water + plunged over a precipice. To lower the wagons down this precipice had been + a dreadful task. + </p> + <p> + The Donner Party unanimously decided to travel across the mountains in a + more direct line toward Salt Lake. They soon found rolling highlands and + small summit valleys on the divide between Weber River and Salt Lake. + Following down one of the small streams, they found a varying, irregular + canyon, down which they passed, filling its small stream with brush and + rocks, crossing and recrossing it, making roads, breaking and mending + wagons, until three weeks' time had expired. The entire country was + heavily covered with timber and underbrush. When the party arrived at the + outlet of this stream into Salt Lake Valley, they found it utterly + impassable. It was exceedingly narrow, and was filled with huge rocks from + the cliffs on either side. Almost all the oxen in the train were necessary + in drawing each wagon out of the canyon and up the steep overhanging + mountain. While in this canyon, Stanton and Pike came up to the company. + These gentlemen encountered great hardships after their horses gave out, + and were almost starved to death when they reached the train. + </p> + <p> + Instead of reaching Salt Lake in a week, as had been promised, the party + were over thirty days in making the trip. No words can describe what they + endured on this Hastings Cut-off. The terrible delay was rendering + imminent the dangers which awaited them on the Sierra Nevada. At last, + upon ascending the steep rugged mountain before mentioned, the vision of + Great Salt Lake, and the extensive plains surrounding it, burst upon their + enraptured gaze. All were wild with joy and gratitude for their + deliverance from the terrible struggle through which they had just passed, + and all hoped for a prosperous, peaceful journey over pleasant roads + throughout the remainder of the trip to California. Alas! there were + trials in the way compared with which their recent struggles were + insignificant. But for the fatal delay caused by the Hastings Cut-off, all + would have been well, but now the summer was passed, their teams and + themselves were well-nigh exhausted, and their slender stock of provisions + nearly consumed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Grave of Salt + Members of the Mystic Tie + Twenty Wells + A Desolate Alkaline Waste + Abandoned on the Desert + A Night of Horror + A Steer Maddened by Thirst + The Mirage + Yoking an Ox and a Cow + "Cacheing" Goods + The Emigrant's Silent Logic + A Cry for Relief + Two Heroic Volunteers + A Perilous Journey + Letters to Capt. Sutter. +</pre> + <p> + Near the southern shore of great Salt Lake the Donner Party encamped on + the third or fourth of September, 1846. The summer had vanished, and + autumn had commenced tinting, with crimson and gold, the foliage on the + Wahsatch Mountains. While encamped here, the party buried the second + victim claimed by death. This time it was a poor consumptive named Luke + Halloran. Without friend or kinsman, Halloran had joined the train, and + was traveling to California in hopes that a change of climate might effect + a cure. Alas! for the poor Irishman, when the leaves began to fall from + the trees his spirit winged its flight to the better land. He died in the + wagon of Captain George Donner, his head resting in Mrs. Tamsen Donner's + lap. It was at sundown. The wagons had just halted for the night. The + train had driven up slowly, out of respect to the dying emigrant. Looking + up into Mrs. Donner's face, he said: "I die happy." Almost while speaking, + he died. In return for the many kindnesses he had received during the + journey, he left Mr. Donner such property as he possessed, including about + fifteen hundred dollars in coin. Hon. Jas. F. Breen, of South San Juan, + writes: "Halloran's body was buried in a bed of almost pure salt, beside + the grave of one who had perished in the preceding train. It was said at + the time that bodies thus deposited would not decompose, on account of the + preservative properties of the salt. Soon after his burial, his trunk was + opened, and Masonic papers and regalia bore witness to the fact that Mr. + Halloran was a member of the Masonic Order. James F. Reed, Milton Elliott, + and perhaps one or two others in the train, also belonged to the mystic + tie." + </p> + <p> + On the sixth day of September they reached a meadow in a valley called + "Twenty Wells," as there were that number of wells of various sizes, from + six inches to several feet in diameter. The water in these wells rose even + with the surface of the ground, and when it was drawn out the wells soon + refilled. The water was cold and pure, and peculiarly welcome after the + saline plains and alkaline pools they had just passed. Wells similar to + these were found during the entire journey of the following day, and the + country through which they were passing abounded in luxuriant grass. + Reaching the confines of the Salt Lake Desert, which lies southwest of the + lake, they laid in, as they supposed, an ample supply of water and grass. + This desert had been represented by Bridger and Vasquez as being only + about fifty miles wide. Instead, for a distance of seventy-five miles + there was neither water nor grass, but everywhere a dreary, desolate, + alkaline waste. Verily, it was + </p> + <p> + "A region of drought, where no river glides, Nor rippling brook with + osiered sides; Where sedgy pool, nor bubbling fount, Nor tree, nor cloud, + nor misty mount Appears to refresh the aching eye, But the barren earth + and the burning sky, And the blank horizon round and round Spread, void of + living sight or sound." + </p> + <p> + When the company had been on the desert two nights and one day, Mr. Reed + volunteered to go forward, and, if possible, to discover water. His hired + teamsters were attending to his teams and wagons during his absence. At a + distance of perhaps twenty miles he found the desired water, and hastened + to return to the train. Meantime there was intense suffering in the party. + Cattle were giving out and lying down helplessly on the burning sand, or + frenzied with thirst were straying away into the desert. Having made + preparations for only fifty miles of desert, several persons came near + perishing of thirst, and cattle were utterly powerless to draw the heavy + wagons. Reed was gone some twenty hours. During this time his teamsters + had done the wisest thing possible, unhitched the oxen and started to + drive them ahead until water was reached. It was their intention, of + course, to return and get the three wagons and the family, which they had + necessarily abandoned on the desert. Reed passed his teamsters during the + night, and hastened to the relief of his deserted family. One of his + teamster's horses gave out before morning and lay down, and while the + man's companions were attempting to raise him, the oxen, rendered + unmanageable by their great thirst, disappeared in the desert. There were + eighteen of these oxen. It is probable they scented water, and with the + instincts of their nature started out to search for it. They never were + found, and Reed and his family, consisting of nine persons, were left + destitute in the midst of the desert, eight hundred miles from California. + Near morning, entirely ignorant of the calamity which had befallen him in + the loss of his cattle, he reached his family. All day long they looked + and waited in vain for the returning teamsters. All the rest of the + company had driven ahead, and the majority had reached water. Toward night + the situation grew desperate. The scanty supply of water left with the + family was almost gone, and another day on the desert would mean death to + all he held dear. Their only way left was to set out on foot. He took his + youngest child in his arms, and the family started to walk the twenty + miles. During this dreadful night some of the younger children became so + exhausted that, regardless of scoldings or encouragements, they lay down + on the bleak sands. Even rest, however, seemed denied the little + sufferers, for a chilling wind began sweeping over the desert, and despite + their weariness and anguish, they were forced to move forward. At one time + during the night the horror of the situation was changed to intense + fright. Through the darkness came a swift-rushing animal, which Reed soon + recognized as one of his young steers. It was crazed and frenzied with + thirst, and for some moments seemed bent upon dashing into the frightened + group. Finally, however, it plunged madly away into the night, and was + seen no more. Reed suspected the calamity which had prevented the return + of the teamsters, but at the moment, the imminent peril surrounding his + wife and children banished all thought of worrying about anything but + their present situation. God knows what would have become of them had they + not, soon after daylight, discovered the wagon of Jacob Donner. They were + received kindly by his family, and conveyed to where the other members of + the party were camped. For six or eight days the entire company remained + at this spot. Every effort was made to find Reed's lost cattle. Almost + every man in the train was out in the desert, searching in all directions. + This task was attended with both difficulty and danger; for when the sun + shone, the atmosphere appeared to distort and magnify objects so that at + the distance of a mile every stone or bush would appear the size of an ox. + Several of the men came near dying for want of water during this search. + The desert mirage disclosed against the horizon, clear, distinct, and + perfectly outlined rocks, mountain peaks, and tempting lakelets. Each + jagged cliff, or pointed rock, or sharply-curved hill-top, hung suspended + in air as perfect and complete as if photographed on the sky. Deceived, + deluded by these mirages, in spite of their better judgment, several + members of the company were led far out into the pathless depths of the + desert. + </p> + <p> + The outlook for Reed was gloomy enough. One cow and one ox were the only + stock he had remaining. The company were getting exceedingly impatient + over the long delay, yet be it said to their honor, they encamped on the + western verge of the desert until every hope of finding Reed's cattle was + abandoned. Finally, F. W. Graves and Patrick Breen each lent an ox to Mr. + Reeds and by yoking up his remaining cow and ox, he had two yoke of + cattle. "Cacheing," or concealing such of his property on the desert, as + could not be placed in one wagon, he hitched the two yoke of cattle to + this wagon and proceeded on the journey. The word cache occurs so + frequently in this history that a brief definition of the interesting + process of cacheing might not be amiss. The cache of goods or valuables + was generally made in a wagon bed, if one, as in the present instance, was + to be abandoned. A square hole, say six feet in depth, was dug in the + earth, and in the bottom of this the box or wagon bed containing the + articles was placed. Sand, soil, or clay of the proper stratum was filled + in upon this, so as to just cover the box from sight. The ground was then + tightly packed or trampled, to make it resemble, as much as possible, the + earth in its natural state. Into the remaining hole would be placed such + useless articles as could be spared, such as old tins, cast-off clothing, + broken furniture, etc., and upon these the earth was thrown until the + surface of the ground was again level. These precautions were taken to + prevent the Indians from discovering and appropriating the articles + cached. It was argued that the Indians, when digging down, would come to + the useless articles, and not thinking there was treasure further down + would abandon the task. "But," says Hon. James F. Breen, in speaking on + this subject, "I have been told by parties who have crossed the plains, + that in no case has the Indian been deceived by the emigrant's silent + logic." The Indians would leave nothing underground, not even the dead + bodies buried from time to time. One of the trains in advance of the + Donner Party buried two men in one grave, and succeeding parties found + each of the bodies unearthed, and were compelled to repeat the last sad + rites of burial. + </p> + <p> + Before the Donner Party started from the Desert camp, an inventory of the + provisions on hand was accurately taken, and an estimate was made of the + quantity required for each family, and it was found that there was not + enough to carry the emigrants through to California. As if to render more + emphatic the terrible situation of the party, a storm came during their + last night at the camp, and in the morning the hill-tops were white with + snow. It was a dreadful reminder of the lateness of the season, and the + bravest hearts quailed before the horrors they knew must await them. A + solemn council was held. It was decided that some one must leave the + train, press eagerly forward to California, and obtaining a supply of + provisions, return and meet the party as far back on the route as + possible. It was a difficult undertaking, and perilous in the extreme. A + call was made for volunteers, and after a little reflection two men + offered their services. One was Wm. McCutchen, who had joined the train + from Missouri, and the other was C. T. Stanton, of Chicago, a man who + afterwards proved himself possessed of the sublimest heroism. Taking each + a horse, they received the tearful, prayerful farewells of the doomed + company, and set out upon their solitary journey. + </p> + <p> + Would they return? If they reached the peaceful, golden valleys of + California, would they turn back to meet danger, and storms, and death, in + order to bring succor to those on the dreary desert? McCutchen might come, + because he left dear ones with the train, but would Stanton return? + Stanton was young and unmarried. There were no ties or obligations to + prompt his return, save his plighted word and the dictates of honor and + humanity. + </p> + <p> + They bore letters from the Donner Party to Captain Sutter, who was in + charge at Sutter's Fort. These letters were prayers for relief, and it was + believed would secure assistance from the generous old Captain. Every eye + followed Stanton and McCutchen until they disappeared in the west. Soon + afterward the train resumed its toilsome march. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Gravelly Ford + The Character of James F. Reed + Causes Which Led to the Reed-Snyder Tragedy + John Snyder's Popularity + The Fatal Altercation + Conflicting Statements of Survivors + Snyder's Death + A Brave Girl + A Primitive Trial + A Court of Final Resort + Verdict of Banishment + A Sad Separation + George and Jacob Donner Ahead at the Time + Finding Letters in Split Sticks + Danger of Starvation. +</pre> + <p> + Gravelly ford, on the Humboldt River, witnessed a tragedy which greatly + agitated the company. Its results, as will be seen, materially affected + the lives not only of the participants, but of several members of the + party during the days of horror on the mountains, by bringing relief which + would otherwise have been lacking. The parties to the tragedy were James + F. Reed and John Snyder. Reed was a man who was tender, generous, heroic, + and whose qualities of true nobility shone brilliantly throughout a long + life of usefulness. His name is intimately interwoven with the history of + the Donner Party, from first to last. Indeed, in the Illinois papers of + 1846-7 the company was always termed the "Reed and Donner Party." This + title was justly conferred at the time, because he was one of the leading + spirits in the organization of the enterprise. In order to understand the + tragedy which produced the death of John Snyder, and the circumstances + resulting therefrom, the reader must become better acquainted with the + character of Mr. Reed. + </p> + <p> + The following brief extract is from "Powers' Early Settlers of Sangamon + County:" "James Frazier Reed was born November 14, 1800, in County Armagh, + Ireland. His ancestors were of noble Polish birth, who chose exile rather + than submission to the Russian power, and settled in the north of Ireland. + The family name was originally Reednoski, but in process of time the + Polish termination of the name was dropped, and the family was called + Reed. James F. Reed's mother's name was Frazier, whose ancestors belonged + to Clan Frazier, of Scottish history. Mrs. Reed and her son, James F., + came to America when he was a youth, and settled in Virginia. He remained + there until he was twenty, when he left for the lead mines of Illinois, + and was engaged in mining until 1831, when he came to Springfield, + Sangamon County, Illinois." + </p> + <p> + Among the papers of Mr. Reed is a copy of the muster roll of a company + which enlisted in the Blackhawk war, and in this roll are the names of + Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, and James F. Reed. At the termination + of this war, Mr. Reed returned to Springfield, engaged in the manufacture + of cabinet furniture, and amassed a considerable fortune. He was married + in 1835 to Mrs. Margaret Backenstoe, whose maiden name was Keyes. The + death of his wife's mother, Mrs. Sarah Keyes, has already been mentioned + as occurring on the Big Blue River, near Manhattan, Kansas. + </p> + <p> + During the progress of the train, Mr. Reed was always a prominent, active + member. Full of life and enthusiasm, fearless of danger, he was ready at + all times to risk his life for the company's welfare. On the desert, we + have seen that his lonely expedition in search of water cost him his + valuable oxen, and left him and his family almost destitute. + </p> + <p> + The deplorable affair about to be narrated was only the natural outgrowth + of the trying circumstances in which the company were placed. The reader + must bear in mind that many petty causes combined to produce discord and + dissension among the members of the Donner Party. Coming from so many + different States, being of different nationalities and modes of thought, + delayed on the road much longer than was expected, rendered irritable by + the difficulties encountered on the journey, annoyed by losses of stock, + fearful of unknown disasters on the Sierra, and already placed on short + allowances of provisions, the emigrants were decidedly inharmonious. + </p> + <p> + The action of the company, moreover, was doubtless influenced in a greater + or less degree by Snyder's popularity. A young man, not over twenty-three + years old, he was tall, straight, and of erect, manly carriage, and his + habits of life as a frontiersman had developed him into a muscular, + athletic being. He excelled and led in all the out-door sports most in + favor with Western men, such as jumping, running, and wrestling. His + manner was gentle, retired, and timid to a degree verging on bashfulness, + until roused by the influence of passion. The lion in the man was dormant + until evoked by the fiercer emotions. His complexion was dark, but as you + studied his face you could not repress the suspicion that Nature had + marked him for a blonde, and that constant exposure to the wind and sun + and rain of the great plains of the West had wrought the color change, and + the conviction was strong that the change was an improvement on Nature. + His features were cast in a mold of great beauty—such beauty as we + seldom look for in a man. He was never moody, despondent, or cast down, + and at all times, and under all circumstances, possessed the faculty of + amusing himself and entertaining others. In the evening camp, when other + amusements failed, or when anticipated troubles depressed the spirits of + the travelers, it was his custom to remove the "hindgate" of his wagon, + lay it on the ground, and thereon perform the "clog dance," "Irish jigs," + the "pigeon wing," and other fantastic steps. Many an evening the Donner + Party were prevented from brooding over their troubles by the boyish + antics of the light-hearted youth. + </p> + <p> + As stated above, the train had reached Gravelly Ford. Already the members + of the company were beginning to scan eagerly the western plain in hopes + of discovering the relief which it was believed Stanton and McCutchen + would bring from Sutter's Fort. Of course there were the usual accidents + and incidents peculiar to a journey across the plains. Occasionally a + wagon would need repairing. Occasionally there would be a brief halt to + rest and recruit the jaded cattle. The Indians had stolen two of Mr. + Graves' oxen, and a couple of days later had stolen one of the horses. + </p> + <p> + In traveling, the Donner Party observed this rule: If a wagon drove in the + lead one day, it should pass back to the rear on the succeeding day. This + system of alternating allowed each his turn in leading the train. On this + fifth of October, 1846, F. W. Graves was ahead, Jay Fosdick second, John + Snyder third, and the team of J. F. Reed fourth. Milton Elliott was + driving Reed's team. Arriving at the foot of a steep, sandy hill, the + party was obliged to "double teams," that is, to hitch five or six yoke of + oxen to one wagon. Elliott and Snyder interchanged hot words over some + difficulty about the oxen. Fosdick had attached his team to Graves' and + had drawn Graves' wagon up the hill. Snyder, being nettled at something + Elliott had said, declared that his team could pull up alone. During the + excitement Snyder made use of very bad language, and was beating his + cattle over the head with his whip-stock. One account says that Reed's + team and Snyder's became tangled. At all events, Snyder was very much + enraged. Reed had been off hunting on horseback, and arriving at this + moment, remonstrated with Snyder for beating the cattle, and at the same + time offered him the assistance of his team. Snyder refused the proffered + aid, and used abusive language toward both Reed and Elliott. Reed + attempted to calm the enraged man. Both men were of fiery, passionate + dispositions, and words began to multiply rapidly. When Reed saw that + trouble was likely to occur, he said something about waiting until they + got up the hill and settling this matter afterwards. Snyder evidently + construed this to be a threat, and with an oath replied, "We will settle + it now." As Snyder uttered these words, he struck Reed a blow on the head + with the butt-end of his heavy whip-stock. This blow was followed in rapid + succession by a second, and a third. As the third stroke descended, Mrs. + Reed ran between her husband and the furious man, hoping to prevent the + blow. Each time the whip-stock descended on Reed's head it cut deep + gashes. He was blinded with the blood which streamed from his wounds, and + dazed and stunned by the terrific force of the blows. He saw the cruel + whip-stock uplifted, and knew that his wife was in danger, but had only + time to cry "John! John!" when down came the stroke full upon Mrs. Reed's + head and shoulders. The next instant John Snyder was staggering, + speechless and death-stricken. Reed's hunting-knife had pierced his left + breast, severing the first and second ribs and entering the left lung. + </p> + <p> + No other portion of the History of the Donner Party, as contributed by the + survivors, has been so variously stated as this Reed-Snyder affair. Five + members of the party, now living, claim to have been eyewitnesses. The + version of two of these, Mrs. J. M. Murphy and Mrs. Frank Lewis, is the + one here published. In the theory of self-defense they are corroborated by + all the early published accounts. This theory was first advanced in Judge + J. Quinn Thornton's work in 1849, and has never been disputed publicly + until within the last two or three years. Due deference to the valuable + assistance rendered by Wm. G. Murphy, of Marysville, and W. C. Graves, of + Calistoga, demands mention of the fact that their accounts differ in + important respects from the one given above. This is not surprising in + view of the thirty-three years which have elapsed since the occurrence. + The history of criminal jurisprudence justifies the assertion that + eye-witnesses of any fatal difficulty differ materially in regard to + important particulars, even when their testimony is taken immediately + after the difficulty. It is not strange, therefore, that after the lapse + of an ordinary life-time a dozen different versions should have been + contributed by the survivors concerning this unfortunate tragedy. James F. + Reed, after nearly a quarter of a century of active public life in + California, died honored and respected. During his life-time this incident + appeared several times in print, and was always substantially as given in + this chapter. With the single exception of a series of articles + contributed to the Healdsburg Flag by W. C. Graves, two or three years + ago, no different account has ever been published. This explanatory + digression from the narrative is deemed necessary out of respect to the + two gentlemen who conscientiously disagree with Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. + Lewis. On all other important subjects the survivors are harmonious or + reconcilable. + </p> + <p> + W. C. Graves, now of Calistoga, caught the dying man in his arms, and in a + few minutes he was carried a little way up the hill and laid upon the + ground. Reed immediately regretted the act and threw the knife from him. + His wife and daughters gathered about him and began to stanch the blood + that flowed from the gashes on his head. He gently pushed them aside and + went to the assistance of the dying man. He and Snyder had always been + firm friends, and Snyder had been most active in securing a team for Reed + after the latter had lost his cattle in the desert. Snyder expired in + about fifteen minutes, and Reed remained by his side until the last. + Patrick Breen came up, and Snyder said, "Uncle Patrick, I am dead." It is + not certain that he spoke again, though Reed's friends claim that he said + to Reed, "I am to blame." + </p> + <p> + Snyder's death fell like a thunderbolt upon the Donner Party. Camp was + immediately pitched, the Reed family being a little removed down the hill + from the main body of emigrants. Reed felt that he had only acted in + defense of his own life and in defense of the wife he adored. + Nevertheless, it was evident that trouble was brewing in the main camp + where Snyder's body was lying. + </p> + <p> + The Reed family were in a sad situation. They commenced the journey with a + more costly and complete outfit than the other emigrants, and thereby had + incurred the envy of some of their less fortunate companions. They had a + fine race horse and good stock, and Virginia had a beautiful pony of her + own, and was fond of accompanying her father on his horseback excursions. + From these and other circumstances the Reeds had acquired the name of + being "aristocratic." Ordinarily, this is a term which would excite a + smile, but on this dreadful day it had its weight in inflaming the minds + of the excited emigrants. On the desert Reed had cached many valuable + articles, but all his provisions had been distributed among his + companions. This, however, was forgotten in the turbulent camp, and the + destitute, desolate family could plainly catch the sound of voices + clamoring for Reed's death. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Virginia Reed was dressing the wounds on her father's head. Mrs. + Reed was overwhelmed with grief and apprehension, and the father came to + Virginia for assistance. This brave little woman was only twelve years + old, yet in this and all other acts of which there is a record she + displayed a nerve and skillfulness which would have done credit to a + mature woman. The cuts in Reed's scalp were wide and deep. Indeed, the + scars remained to his dying day. In San Jose, long years afterwards, as + James F. Reed lay dead, the gentle breeze from an open window softly + lifted and caressed his gray hair, disclosing plainly the scars left by + these ugly wounds. + </p> + <p> + Reed entertained none but the friendliest sentiments toward Snyder. + Anxious to do what he could for the dead, he offered the boards of his + wagon-bed from which to make a coffin for Snyder. This offer, made with + the kindliest, most delicate feeling, was rejected by the emigrants. At + the funeral, Reed stood sorrowfully by the grave until the last clod was + placed above the man who had been one of his best friends. A council was + held by the members of the company. A council to decide upon Reed's fate. + It was in the nature of a court, all-powerful, from whose decision there + was no appeal. Breathlessly the fond wife and affectionate children + awaited the verdict. The father was idolized by the mother and the little + ones, and was their only stay and support. + </p> + <p> + The friendship of the Donner Party for John Snyder, the conflicting and + distorted accounts of the tragedy, and the personal enmity of certain + members of the company toward Reed, resulted in a decree that he should be + banished from the train. The feeling ran so high that at one time the end + of a wagon-tongue was propped up with an ox-yoke by some of the emigrants + with the intention of hanging Reed thereon, but calmer counsel prevailed. + </p> + <p> + When the announcement was communicated to Reed that he was to be banished, + he refused to comply with the decree. Conscious that he had only obeyed + the sacred law of self-defense, he refused to accede to an unjust + punishment. Then came the wife's pleadings! Long and earnestly Mrs. Reed + reasoned and begged and prayed with her husband. All was of no avail until + she urged him to remember the want and destitution in which they and the + entire company were already participants. If he remained and escaped + violence at the hands of his enemies, he might nevertheless see his + children starve before his eyes, and be helpless to aid them. But if he + would go forward, if he would reach California, he could return with + provisions, and meet them on the mountains at that point on the route + where they would be in greatest need. It was a fearful struggle, but + finally the mother's counsels prevailed. Prior to setting out upon his + gloomy journey, Mr. Reed made the company promise to care for his family. + </p> + <p> + At the time of the Snyder tragedy, George and Jacob Donner, with their + wagons and families, were two days in advance of the main train. Walter + Herron was with them, and, when Reed came up, Herron concluded to + accompany him to California. + </p> + <p> + It was contemplated that Reed should go out into the wilderness alone, and + with neither food nor ammunition. Happily this part of the programme was + thwarted. The faithful Virginia, in company with Milton Elliott, followed + Mr. Reed after he had started, and carried him his gun and ammunition. The + affectionate girl also managed to carry some crackers to him, although she + and all the company were even then on short allowance. + </p> + <p> + The sad parting between Reed and his family, and the second parting with + the devoted Virginia, we pass over in silence. James F. Reed, Jr., only + five years old, declared that he would go with his father, and assist him + in obtaining food during the long journey. Even the baby, only two and a + half years old, would fret and worry every time the family sat down to + their meals, lest father should find nothing to eat on his difficult way. + Every day the mother and daughters would eagerly search for the letter Mr. + Reed was sure to leave in the top of some bush, or in a split stick by the + wayside. When he succeeded in killing geese or ducks, as he frequently did + along the Humboldt and Truckee, he would scatter the feathers about his + camping-ground, that his family might see that he was supplied with food. + It is hardly necessary to mention that Mrs. Reed and the children regarded + the father's camping-places as hallowed ground, and as often as possible + kindled their evening fires in the same spot where his had been kindled. + </p> + <p> + But a day came when they found no more letters, no further traces of the + father. Was he dead? Had the Indians killed him? Had he starved by the + way? No one could answer, and the mother's cheek grew paler and her dear + eyes grew sadder and more hopeless, until Virginia and Patty both feared + that she, too, was going to leave them. Anxious, grief-stricken, filled + with the belief that her husband was dead, poor Mrs. Reed was fast dying + of a broken heart. But suddenly all her life, and energy, and + determination were again aroused into being by a danger that would have + crushed a nature less noble. A danger that is the most terrible, horrible, + that ever tortured human breast; a danger—that her children, her + babes, must starve to death! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Great Hardships + The Sink of the Humboldt + Indians Stealing Cattle + An Entire Company Compelled to Walk + Abandoned to Die + Wolfinger Murdered + Rhinehart's Confession + Arrival of C. T. Stanton + A Temporary Relief + A Fatal Accident + The Sierra Nevada Mountains + Imprisoned in Snow + Struggles for Freedom + A Hopeless Situation + Digging for Cattle in Snow + How the Breen Cabin Happened to be Built + A Thrilling Sketch of a Solitary Winter + Putting up Shelters + The Donners have Nothing but Tents + Fishing for Trout. +</pre> + <p> + Starvation now stared the emigrants in the face. The shortest allowance + capable of supporting life was all that was portioned to any member of the + company. At times, some were forced to do without food for a day or more, + until game was procured. The poor cattle were also in a pitiable + condition. Owing to the lateness of the season, the grass was exceedingly + scanty and of a poor quality. Frequently the water was bad, and filled + with alkali and other poisonous deposits. George Donner, Jacob Donner, + Wolfinger, and others, lost cattle at various points along the Humboldt. + Mr. Breen lost a fine mare. The Indians were constantly hovering around + the doomed train, ready to steal cattle, but too cowardly to make any open + hostile attack. Arrows were shot into several of the oxen by Indians who + slipped up near them during the night-time. At midnight, on the twelfth of + October, the party reached the sink of the Humboldt. The cattle, closely + guarded, were turned out to graze and recruit their wasted strength. About + dawn on the morning of the thirteenth the guard came into camp to + breakfast. During the night nothing had occurred to cause the least + apprehension, and no indications of Indians had been observed. Imagine the + consternation in camp when it was discovered that during the temporary + absence of the guard twenty-one head of cattle had been stolen by the + redskins. This left the company in terribly destitute circumstances. All + had to walk who were able. Men, women, and children were forced to travel + on foot all day long, and in many cases were compelled to carry heavy + burdens in order to lessen the loads drawn by the weary cattle. Wm. G. + Murphy remembers distinctly seeing his brother carrying a copper + camp-kettle upon his head. The Graves family, the Breens, the Donners, the + Murphys, the Reeds, all walked beside the wagons until overpowered with + fatigue. The men became exhausted much sooner, as a rule, than the women. + Only the sick, the little children, and the utterly exhausted, were ever + allowed to ride. Eddy and his wife had lost all their cattle, and each + carried one of their children and such personal effects as they were able. + Many in the train were without shoes, and had to travel barefooted over + the weary sands, and flinty, sharp-edged stones. + </p> + <p> + On the ninth of October a death had resulted from this necessity of having + to walk. It was a case of desertion, which, under other circumstances, + would have been unpardonably heartless. An old man named Hardcoop was + traveling with Keseberg. He was a cutler by trade, and had a son and + daughter in the city of Antwerp, in Belgium. It is said he owned a farm + near Cincinnati, Ohio, and intended, after visiting California to dispose + of this farm, and with the proceeds return to Antwerp, for the purpose of + spending his declining years with his children. He was a man of nearly + three-score years, and the hardships of the journey had weakened his + trembling limbs and broken down his health. Sick, feeble, helpless as he + was, this old man was compelled to walk with the others. At last, when his + strength gave way, he was forced to lie down by the roadside to perish of + cold and hunger. Who can picture the agony, the horror, the dreary + desolation of such a death? The poor old man walked until his feet + actually burst!—walked until he sank utterly exhausted by the + roadside! It was a terrible death! To see the train disappear in the + distance; to know he was abandoned to die of exposure and starvation; to + think that the wolves would devour his flesh and gnaw his bones; to lie + down on the great desert, hungry, famished, and completely prostrated by + fatigue—to meet death thus is too dreadful to contemplate. + </p> + <p> + No one made any attempt to return and find the poor old fellow. This, + however, is partially excused by the overwhelming dangers which now + threatened the entire company. Each hour's delay rendered death in the + Sierra Nevada Mountains more imminent. + </p> + <p> + About the fourteenth of October, beyond the present site of Wadsworth, + another tragedy occurred. Wolfinger, who was supposed to be quite wealthy, + was in the rear of the train, traveling with Keseberg. At nightfall, + neither of the Germans made his appearance. It happened that both their + wives had walked ahead, and were with the emigrants. Considering it + suspicious that the men did not arrive, and fearing some evil had befallen + them, a party returned to ascertain the cause of the delay. Before + proceeding far, however, Keseberg was met traveling leisurely along. He + assured them that Wolfinger was only a little way behind, and would be + along in a few moments. Reassured by this information, the party returned + with Keseberg to camp and awaited the arrival of Wolfinger. The night + passed, and the missing man had not appeared. Mrs. Wolfinger was nearly + frantic. She was a tall, queenly-looking lady, of good birth and much + refinement. She was recently from Germany, and understood but little + English, yet she was evidently a wellbred lady. Nearly all the survivors + remember the elegant dresses and costly jewelry she wore during the first + part of the journey. Her grief at her husband's disappearance was so + heart-rending that three young men at last consented to start back in the + morning and endeavor to find Wolfinger. W. C. Graves, from whom this + information is obtained, was one of the three who returned. Five miles + back the wagon was found standing in the road. The oxen had been + unhitched, but were still chained together, and were quietly grazing at a + little distance. There were no signs of Indians, but Wolfinger was not to + be found. At the time it was strongly conjectured that Keseberg had + murdered Wolfinger for his money, and had concealed the body. This was + doubtless unjust, for when Joseph Rhinehart was dying, some weeks later, + in George Donner's tent, he confessed that he (Rhinehart) had something to + do with the murder of Wolfinger. The men hitched the oxen to the wagon, + and drove on until they overtook the emigrants, who, owing to the dangers + by which they were encompassed, felt compelled to pursue their onward + journey. The team was given to Mrs. Wolfinger, and she employed a German + by the name of Charles Burger to drive it thereafter. Little was said + about the affair at the time. Mrs. Wolfinger supposed the Indians had + killed her husband. + </p> + <p> + On the nineteenth of October, C. T. Stanton was met returning with + provisions. The company was near the present town of Wadsworth, Nevada. A + great rejoicing was held over the brave man's return. McCutchen had been + severely ill, and was unable to return with Stanton. But the latter, true + to his word, recrossed the Sierra, and met the emigrants at a time when + they were on the verge of starvation. He had brought seven mules, five of + which were loaded with flour and dried beef. Captain Sutter had furnished + these mules and the provisions, together with two Indian vaqueros, without + the slightest compensation or security. The Indians, Lewis and Salvador, + would assist in caring for the pack-animals, and would also be efficient + guides. Without Stanton's aid the entire party would have been lost; not a + single soul would have escaped. The provisions, though scant, were + sufficient to entirely alter the situation of affairs. Had the party + pressed immediately forward, they could have passed the summits before the + storms began. For some cause, however, it was concluded to rest the cattle + for a few days near the present site of Reno, preparatory to attempting to + ascend the difficult Sierra. Three or four days' time was lost. This loss + was fatal. The storms on the mountains generally set in about + Thanksgiving, or during the latter days of November. The emigrants trusted + that the storm season of 1846 would not begin earlier than usual. Alas! + the terrible consequences of this mistaken trust! + </p> + <p> + After the arrival of Stanton, it was still deemed necessary to take + further steps for the relief of the train. The generosity of Captain + Sutter, as shown to Stanton, warranted them in believing that he would + send still further supplies to the needy emigrants. Accordingly, two + brothers-in-law, William Foster and William Pike, both brave and daring + spirits, volunteered to go on ahead, cross the summits, and return with + provisions as Stanton had done. Both men had families, and both were + highly esteemed in the company. At the encampment near Reno, Nevada, while + they were busily preparing to start, the two men were cleaning or loading + a pistol. It was an old-fashioned "pepper-box." It happened, while they + were examining it, that wood was called for to replenish the fire. One of + the men offered to procure it, and in order to do so, handed the pistol to + the other. Everybody knows that the "pepper-box" is a very uncertain + weapon. Somehow, in the transfer, the pistol was discharged. William Pike + was fatally wounded, and died in about twenty minutes. Mrs. Pike was left + a widow, with two small children. The youngest, Catherine, was a babe of + only a few months old, and Naomi was only three years of age. The sadness + and distress occasioned by this mournful accident, cast a gloom over the + entire company, and seemed an omen of the terrible fate which overshadowed + the Donner Party. + </p> + <p> + Generally, the ascent of the Sierra brought joy and gladness to weary + overland emigrants. To the Donner Party it brought terror and dismay. The + company had hardly obtained a glimpse of the mountains, ere the winter + storm clouds began to assemble their hosts around the loftier crests. + Every day the weather appeared more ominous and threatening. The delay at + the Truckee Meadows had been brief, but every day ultimately cost a dozen + lives. On the twenty-third of October, they became thoroughly alarmed at + the angry heralds of the gathering storm, and with all haste resumed the + journey. It was too late! At Prosser Creek, three miles below Truckee, + they found themselves encompassed with six inches of snow. On the summits, + the snow was from two to five feet in depth. This was October 28, 1846. + Almost a month earlier than usual, the Sierra had donned its mantle of and + snow. The party were prisoners. All was consternation. The wildest + confusion prevailed. In their eagerness, many, went far in advance of the + main train. There was little concert of action or harmony of plan. All did + not arrive at Donner Lake the same day. Some wagons and families did not + reach the lake until the thirty-first day of October, some never went + further than Prosser Creek, while others, on the evening of the + twenty-ninth, struggled through the snow, and reached the foot of the + precipitous cliffs between the summit and the upper end of the lake. Here, + baffled, wearied, disheartened, they turned back to the foot of the lake. + </p> + <p> + Several times during the days which succeeded, parties attempted to cross + the mountain barrier. W. C. Graves says the old emigrant road followed up + Cold Stream, and so crossed the dividing ridge. Some wagons were drawn up + this old road, almost to the top of the pass, others were taken along the + north side of Donner Lake, and far up toward the summit. Some of these + wagons never were returned to the lake, but were left imbedded in the + snow. These efforts to cross the Sierra were quite desultory and + irregular, and there was great lack of harmony and system. Each family or + each little group of emigrants acted independently. + </p> + <p> + At last, one day, a determined and systematic attempt was made to cross + the summit. Nearly the entire train was engaged in the work. The road, of + course, was entirely obliterated by the snow. Guided only by the general + contour of the country, all hands pressed resolutely forward. Here, large + bowlders and irregular jutting cliffs would intercept the way; there, + dizzy precipices, yawning chasms, and deep, irregular canyons would + interpose, and anon a bold, impassable mountain of rock would rear its + menacing front directly across their path. All day long the men and + animals floundered through the snow, and attempted to break and trample a + road. Just before nightfall they reached the abrupt precipice where the + present wagon-road intercepts the snow-sheds of the Central Pacific. Here + the poor mules and oxen had been utterly unable to find a foothold on the + slippery, snow-covered rocks. All that day it had been raining slightly—a + dismal, drizzling, discouraging rain. Most of the wagons had been left at + the lake, and the mules and oxen had been packed with provisions and + necessary articles. Even at this day some of the survivors are unable to + repress a ripple of merriment as they recall the manner in which the oxen + bucked and bellowed when the unaccustomed packs were strapped upon their + backs. Stanton had stoutly insisted upon taking the mules over the + mountains. Perhaps he did not wish to return to Capt. Sutter without the + property which he had borrowed. Many in the train dissented from this + proposition, and endeavored to induce the Indians, Lewis and Salvador, to + leave Stanton, and guide them over the summits. The Indians realized the + imminent danger of each hour's delay, and would probably have yielded to + the solicitations of these disaffected parties, had not Stanton made them + believe that Capt. Sutter would hang them if they returned to the Fort + without the mules. This incident is mentioned to illustrate the great + differences of opinion and interest which prevailed. Never, from the + moment the party encountered the first difficulties on the Hastings + Cut-off until this fatal night in November, did the members of the company + ever agree upon any important proposition. This night all decided upon a + plan for the morrow. The great and overwhelming danger made them forget + their petty animosities, and united them in one harmonious resolve. On the + morrow the mules and cattle were all to be slain, and the meat was to be + stored away for future emergency. The wagons, with their contents, were to + be left at the lake, and the entire party were to cross the summits on + foot. Stanton had become perfectly satisfied that the mules could not + reach the mountain-top, and readily consented to the proposed plan. + </p> + <p> + Returning to the lake they sought their weary couches, comforted with the + thought that tomorrow should see all the Donner Party safely over the + summit. That night a heavy snow fell at the lake. It was a night of untold + terror! The emigrants suffered a thousand deaths. The pitiless snow came + down in large, steady masses. All understood that the storm meant death. + One of the Indians silently wrapped his blanket about him and in deepest + dejection seated himself beside a tall pine. In this position he passed + the entire night, only moving occasionally to keep from being covered with + snow. Mrs. Reed spread down a shawl, placed her four children, Virginia, + Patty, James, and Thomas, thereon, and putting another shawl over them, + sat by the side of her babies during all the long hours of darkness. Every + little while she was compelled to lift the upper shawl and shake off the + rapidly accumulating snow. + </p> + <p> + With slight interruptions, the storm continued several days. The mules and + oxen that had always hovered about camp were blinded and bewildered by the + storm, and straying away were literally buried alive in the drifts. What + pen can describe the horror of the position in which the emigrants found + themselves! It was impossible to move through the deep, soft snow without + the greatest effort. The mules were gone, and were never found. Most of + the cattle had perished, and were wholly hidden from sight. The few oxen + which were found were slaughtered for beef. All were not killed during any + one day, but the emigrants gave this business their immediate attention, + because aside from the beef and a few slight provisions, the entire party + were completely destitute. Mrs. Breen was compelled to attend personally + to the slaughtering of their cattle, because her husband was an invalid. + This family had by far the largest stock of meat. Too great praise can not + be ascribed to Mrs. Breen for the care and forethought with which she + stored up this food for her children. The meat was simply laid away in + piles, like cordwood, and by the action of the frost was kept fresh until + consumed. Mrs. Reed had no cattle to kill. She succeeded, however, in + purchasing two beeves from Mr. Graves, and two from Mr. Breen, pledging + herself to pay when the journey was ended. Mr. Eddy also purchased one ox + of Mr. Graves. + </p> + <p> + The flesh of many of the cattle which strayed away, and were buried + several feet under the snow, was nevertheless recovered by their owners. + It was soon ascertained that the cattle had endeavored to seek shelter + from the fury of the storm by getting under the branches of the bushiest + trees. Going to these trees, the emigrants would thrust down long poles + with sharpened nails in the ends of them. By thus probing about in the + snow, the whereabouts of a number of cattle was discovered, and the bodies + were speedily dug out of the drifts. + </p> + <p> + Realizing that the winter must be passed in the mountains, the emigrants + made such preparations as they could for shelter. One cabin was already + constructed. It was located about a quarter of a mile below the foot of + the lake. It had been built in November, 1844, by Moses Schallenberger, + Joseph Foster, and Allen Montgomery. Moses Schallenberger now resides + three and a half miles from San Jose, and when recently interviewed by + Mrs. S. O. Houghton, nee Eliza P. Donner, gave a very complete and + interesting account of the building of this cabin, and the sufferings + endured by his party. This cabin, known as the Breen cabin, is so + intimately connected and interwoven with future chapters in the History of + the Donner Party, that the following items, taken from Mr. + Schallenberger's narration, can not prove uninteresting: + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Schallenberger's party reached Donner Lake about the middle of + November, 1844, having with them a large quantity of goods for California. + Their cattle being very poor, and much fatigued by the journey, the party + decided to remain here long enough to build a cabin in which to store + their goods until spring. They also decided to leave some one to look + after their stores, while the main portion of the party would push on to + the settlement. Foster, Montgomery, and Schallenberger built the cabin. + Two days were spent in its construction. It was built of pine saplings, + and roofed with pine brush and rawhides. It was twelve by fourteen feet, + and seven or eight feet high, with a chimney in one end, built "western + style." One opening, through which light, air, and the occupants passed, + served as a window and door. A heavy fall of snow began the day after the + cabin was completed and continued for a number of days. Schallenberger, + who was only seventeen years old, volunteered to remain with Foster and + Montgomery. The party passed on, leaving very little provisions for the + encamped. The flesh of one miserably poor cow was their main dependence, + yet the young men were not discouraged. They were accustomed to frontier + life, and felt sure they could provide for themselves. Bear and deer + seemed abundant in the surrounding mountains. Time passed; the snow + continued falling, until it was from ten to fifteen feet deep. The cow was + more than half consumed, and the game had been driven out of the mountains + by the storms. + </p> + <p> + "The sojourners in that lonely camp became alarmed at the prospect of the + terrible fate which seemed to threaten them, and they determined to find + their way across the mountains. They started and reached the summit the + first night after leaving their camp. Here, young Schallenberger was taken + ill with severe cramps. The following day he was unable to proceed more + than a few feet without falling to the ground. It was evident to his + companions that he could go no farther. They did not like to leave him, + nor did they wish to remain where death seemed to await them. Finally + Schallenberger told them if they would take him back to the cabin he would + remain there and they could go on. This they did, and after making him as + comfortable as possible, they bade him good-by, and he was left alone in + that mountain wild. A strong will and an unflinching determination to live + through all the threatening dangers, soon raised him from his bed and + nerved him to action. He found some steel traps among the goods stored, + and with them caught foxes, which constituted his chief or only article of + food, until rescued by the returning party, March 1, 1845." + </p> + <p> + The Breen family moved into the Schallenberger cabin. Against the west + side of this cabin, Keseberg built a sort of half shed, into which he and + his family entered. The Murphys erected a cabin nearer the lake. The site + of this cabin is plainly marked by a large stone about ten or twelve feet + high, one side of which rises almost perpendicularly from the ground. + Against this perpendicular side the Murphys erected the building which was + to shelter them during the winter. It was about three hundred yards from + the shore of Donner Lake, and near the wide marshy outlet. The Breen and + Murphy cabins were distant from each other about one hundred and fifty + yards. The Graves family built a house close by Donner Creek, and half or + three quarters of a mile further down the stream. Adjoining this, forming + a double cabin, the Reeds built. The Donner brothers, Jacob and George, + together with their families, camped in Alder Creek Valley, six or seven + miles from Donner Lake. They were, if possible, in a worse condition than + the others, for they had only brush sheds and their tents to shield them + from the wintry weather. Mrs. John App (Leanna C. Donner), of Jamestown, + Tuolumne County, writes: "We had no time to build a cabin. The snow came + on so suddenly that we had barely time to pitch our tent, and put up a + brush shed, as it were, one side of which was open. This brush shed was + covered with pine boughs, and then covered with rubber coats, quilts, etc. + My uncle, Jacob Donner, and family, also had a tent, and camped near us." + </p> + <p> + Crowded in their ill-prepared dwellings, the emigrants could not feel + otherwise than gloomy and despondent. The small quantity of provisions + became so nearly exhausted that it is correct to say they were compelled + to live on meat alone, without so much as salt to give it a relish. There + was an abundance of beautiful trout in the lake, but no one could catch + them. W. C. Graves tells how he went fishing two or three different times, + but without success. The lake was not frozen over at first, and fish were + frequently seen; but they were too coy and wary to approach such bait as + was offered. Soon thick ice covered the water, and after that no one + attempted to fish. In fact, the entire party seemed dazed by the terrible + calamity which had overtaken them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Endeavors to Cross the Mountains + Discouraging Failures + Eddy Kills a Bear + Making SnowShoes + Who Composed the "Forlorn Hope" + Mary A. Graves + An Irishman + A Generous Act + Six Days' Rations + Mary Graves Account + Snow-Blind + C. T. Stanton's Death + "I am Coming Soon" + Sketch of Stanton's Early Life + His Charity and Self-Sacrifice + The Diamond Breastpin + Stanton's Last Poem. +</pre> + <p> + All knew that death speedily awaited the entire company unless some could + cross over the mountain barrier and hasten back relief parties. Out of the + list of ninety persons mentioned in the first chapter, only Mrs. Sarah + Keyes, Halloran, Snyder, Hardcoop, Wolfinger, and Pike had perished, and + only three, Messrs. Reed, Herron, and McCutchen, had reached California. + This left eighty-one persons at the mountain camps. It was resolved that + at the earliest possible moment the strongest and ablest of the party + should endeavor to cross the summits and reach the settlements. + Accordingly, on the twelfth of November, a party of twelve or fifteen + persons set out from the cabins. It was found impossible, however, to make + any considerable headway in the soft, deep snow, and at midnight they + returned to the cabins. They had not succeeded in getting more than a mile + above the head of the lake. In this party were Mr. F. W. Graves and his + two daughters, Mary A. Graves, and Mrs. Sarah Fosdick. The rest, with the + exception of Jay Fosdick and Wm. H. Eddy, were young, unmarried men, as, + for instance, Stanton, Smith, Spitzer, Elliott, Antoine, John Baptiste, + and the two Indians. It was comparatively a trifling effort, but it seemed + to have the effect of utterly depressing the hopes of several of these + men. With no one in the camps dependent upon them, without any ties of + relationship, or bonds of affection, these young men were be first to + attempt to escape from their prison walls of snow. Failing in this, many + of them never again rallied or made a struggle for existence. Not so, + however, with those who were heads of families. A gun was owned by William + Foster, and with it, on the fourteenth of November, three miles north of + Truckee, near the present Alder Creek Mill, Mr. Eddy succeeded in killing + a bear. This event inspired many hearts with courage; but, alas it was + short-lived. No other game could be found except two or three wild ducks. + What were these among eighty-one people! Mr. F. W. Graves was a native of + Vermont, and his boyhood days had been spent in sight of the Green + Mountains. Somewhat accustomed to snow, and to pioneer customs, Mr. Graves + was the only member of the party who understood how to construct + snow-shoes. The unsuccessful attempt made by the first party proved that + no human being could walk upon the loose snow without some artificial + assistance. By carefully sawing the ox-bows into strips, so as to preserve + their curved form, Mr. Graves, by means of rawhide thongs, prepared very + serviceable snow-shoes. Fourteen pair of shoes were made in this manner. + It was certain death for all to remain in camp, and yet the first attempt + had shown that it was almost equally certain death to attempt to reach the + settlements. There was not food for all, and yet the ones who undertook to + cross the mountains were undoubtedly sacrificing their lives for those who + remained in camp. If some should go, those who were left behind might be + able to preserve life until spring, or until relief came. The stoutest + hearts quailed before the thought of battling with the deep drifts, the + storms, and the unknown dangers which lurked on the summits. The bravest + shuddered at the idea of leaving the cabins and venturing out into the + drear and dismal wilderness of snow. Yet they could count upon their + fingers the days that would elapse before the provisions would be + exhausted, and starvation would ensue, if none left the camps. + </p> + <p> + Day after day, with aching hearts and throbbing brows, the poor imprisoned + wretches gazed into each other's faces in blank despair. Who should be + sacrificed? Who would go out and seek a grave 'neath the crashing + avalanche, the treacherous drifts, or in the dreary famished wilderness, + that those left behind might live? Who would be the forlorn hope of the + perishing emigrants? + </p> + <p> + Once, Messrs. Patrick Breen, Patrick Dolan, Lewis Keseberg, and W. H. + Eddy, are said to have attempted to reach the summit. On another occasion + these same parties, with Mrs. Reed and family, Mr. Stanton and the two + Indians, made an unsuccessful attempt. Still another time, a large party, + among whom were Mrs. Murphy and the older members of her family, made the + effort, and even succeeded in crossing the topmost ridge and reaching + Summit Valley, one and a half miles west of the summit. But all these + parties were forced to return to the cabins, and each failure confirmed + the belief that no living being could cross the mountains. In this manner + time dragged wearily along until the tenth, or, as some say, the sixteenth + of December. The mere matter of the date is of trifling importance. At all + events a forlorn hope was organized. Seventeen names were enrolled as + volunteers. Of these, Charles Burger went only a short distance, turning + back weary and exhausted. Wm. G. Murphy, who is described as a most brave + and resolute boy of eleven years of age, accompanied the party as far as + the head of Donner Lake. He and his brother Lemuel were without snowshoes. + It was expected they would step in the beaten tracks of those who had + shoes, but this was soon proven to be utterly impracticable. The party + made snow-shoes for Lemuel on the first night, out of the aparajos which + had been brought by Stanton from Sutter's Fort. Wm. G. Murphy saved his + life by returning to the cabins. No human being could have endured the + trip without snow-shoes. Fifteen remained in the party, and these pressed + forward without so much as daring to look back to the dear ones whose + lives depended upon this terrible venture. Without forgetting William G. + Murphy and Charles Burger, who started with this little band, the first + party who crossed the Sierra will in future be termed the fifteen. Who + composed this party? Mothers, whose babes would starve unless the mothers + went; fathers, whose wives and children would perish if the fathers did + not go; children, whose aged parents could not survive unless the + children, by leaving, increased the parents' share of food. Each were + included in the forlorn hope. + </p> + <p> + It was time for some one to leave the cabins. During the days that had + elapsed, no word had been received from the Donner brothers at Alder + Creek, nor from the emigrants who camped with them. Alder Creek is a + branch of Prosser Creek, and the Donners encamped on the former stream + about a mile and a half above the junction. + </p> + <p> + On the ninth of December, Milton Elliott and Noah James started back to + learn some tidings of these people. Soon after they left the camps at the + lake, a terrific storm came down from the mountains, and as nothing had + been heard from them, it was considered certain they had perished. + </p> + <p> + About this time, starvation and exposure had so preyed upon one of the + company, Augustus Spitzer, that one day he came reeling and staggering + into the Breen cabin and fell prostrate and helpless upon the floor. Poor + fellow, he never rallied, although by careful nursing and kindest + attentions he lingered along for some weeks. The emigrants were no longer + on short allowance, they were actually starving! Oh! the horror! the dread + alarm which prevailed among the company! C. T. Stanton, ever brave, + courageous, lion-hearted, said, "I will bring help to these famishing + people or lay down my life." F. W. Graves, who was one of the noblest men + who ever breathed the breath of life, was next to volunteer. Mr. and Mrs. + Graves had nine children, the youngest being only nine months old. + Generously had they parted with the cattle which they brought to the lake, + dividing equally with those families who had no food. Mary A. Graves and + her elder sister, Mrs. Sarah Fosdick, determined to accompany their + father, and as will presently be seen, their hearts failed not during + trials which crushed strong men. Mary Graves was about nineteen years old. + She was a very beautiful girl, of tall and slender build, and + exceptionally graceful carriage. Her features, in their regularity, were + of classic Grecian mold. Her eyes were dark, bright, and expressive. A + fine mouth and perfect set of teeth, added to a luxuriant growth of dark, + rebelliously wavy hair, completed an almost perfect picture of lovely + girlhood. Jay Fosdick resolved to share with his wife the perils of the + way. Mrs. Murphy offered to take care of the infant children of her + married daughters, Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Pike, if they would join the + party. The dear, good mother argued that what the daughters would eat + would keep her and the little ones from starving. It was nobly said, yet + who can doubt but that, with clearer vision, the mother saw that only by + urging them to go, could she save her daughters' lives. With what anguish + did Mrs. Harriet F. Pike enroll her name among those of the "Forlorn + Hope," and bid good-by to her little two-year-old Naomi and her nursing + babe, Catherine! What bitter tears were shed by Mr. and Mrs. Foster when + they kissed their beautiful baby boy farewell! Alas! though they knew it + not, it was a long, long farewell. Mrs. Eddy was too feeble to attempt the + journey, and the family were so poorly provided with food that Mr. Eddy + was compelled to leave her and the two little children in the cabins, and + go with the party. Mrs. McCutchen also had an infant babe, and Mrs. Graves + employed the same reasoning with her that Mrs. Murphy had so effectively + used with Mrs. Pike and Mrs. Foster. That these three young mothers left + their infant children, their nursing babes, with others, and started to + find relief, is proof stronger than words, of the desperate condition of + the starving emigrants. The Mexican Antoine, the two Indians Lewis and + Salvador, and an Irishman named Patrick Dolan, completed the fifteen. This + Patrick Dolan deserves more than a passing word. He had owned a farm in + Keokuk, Iowa, and selling it, had taken as the price, a wagon, four oxen, + and two cows. With these he joined the Donner Party, and on reaching the + lake had killed his cattle and stored them away with those killed by the + Breens. Dolan was a bachelor, and about forty years of age. He was + possessed of two or three hundred dollars in coin, but instead of being + miserly or selfish, was characterized by generous openheartedness. "When + it became apparent that there was to be suffering and starvation" (this + quotation is from the manuscript of Hon. James F. Breen), "Dolan + determined to lighten the burden at the camps, and leave with the party + that was to attempt the passage of the summit, so that there should be + less to consume the scant supply of provisions. Previous to his departure, + he asked my father (Patrick Breen) to attend to the wants of Reed's + family, and to give of his (Dolan's) meat to Reed's family as long as + possible." Accordingly, Mrs. Reed and her children were taken into Breen's + cabin, where, as mentioned above, Dolan's meat was stored. Was ever a more + generous act recorded? Patrick Dolan had no relative in the Donner Party, + and no friends, save those whose friendship had been formed upon the + plains. With the cattle which belonged to him he could have selfishly + subsisted until relief came, but, whole-souled Irishman that he was, he + gave food to the mothers and the children and went out into the waste of + snow to perish of starvation! How many who live to-day owe their existence + to Patrick Dolan's self-sacrifice! This blue-eyed, brown haired Irishman + is described as being of a jovial disposition, and inclined to look upon + the bright side of things. Remembering how he gave his life for strangers, + how readily can we appreciate Mr. Breen's tender tribute: "He was a + favorite with children, and would romp and play with a child." As a token + of appreciation for his kindness, Mrs. Reed gave Patrick Dolan a gold + watch and a Masonic emblem belonging to her husband, bidding him to keep + them until he was rewarded for his generosity. The good mother's word had + a significance she wot not of. When Mrs. Reed reached Sutter's Fort she + found these valuables awaiting her. They had been brought in by Indians. + Patrick Dolan had kept them until his death—until the angels came + and bore him away to his reward. + </p> + <p> + This party of fifteen had taken provisions to last only six days. At the + end of this time they hoped to reach Bear Valley, so they said, but it is + more than probable they dared not take more food from their dear ones at + the cabins. Six days' rations! This means enough of the poor, shriveled + beef to allow each person, three times a day, a piece the size of one's + two fingers. With a little coffee and a little loaf sugar, this was all. + They had matches, Foster's gun, a hatchet, and each a thin blanket. With + this outfit they started to cross the Sierra. No person, unaccustomed to + snow-shoes, can form an idea of the difficulty which is experienced during + one's first attempt to walk with them. Their shoes would sink deep into + the loose, light snow, and it was with great effort they made any + progress. They had been at Donner Lake from forty-two to forty-six days, + and on this first night of their journey had left it four miles behind + them. After a dreadful day's work they encamped, in full sight of the lake + and of the cabins. This was harder for the aching hearts of the mothers + than even the terrible parting from their little ones. To see the smoke of + the cabins, to awake from their troubled dreams, thinking they heard the + cry of their starving babes, to stifle the maternal yearnings which + prompted them to turn back and perish with their darlings clasped to their + breasts, were trials almost unbearable. The next day they traveled six + miles. They crossed the summit, and the camps were no longer visible. They + were in the solemn fastnesses of the snow-mantled Sierra. Lonely, + desolate, forsaken apparently by God and man, their situation was + painfully, distressingly terrible. The snow was, wrapped about cliff and + forest and gorge. It varied in depth from twelve to sixty feet. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. M. A. Clarke (Mary Graves), now of White River, Tulare County, + speaking of this second day, says: "We had a very slavish day's travel, + climbing the divide. Nothing of interest occurred until reaching the + summit. The scenery was too grand for me to pass without notice, the + changes being so great; walking now on loose snow, and now stepping on a + hard, slick rock a number of hundred yards in length. Being a little in + the rear of the party, I had a chance to observe the company ahead, + trudging along with packs on their backs. It reminded me of some Norwegian + fur company among the icebergs. My shoes were ox-bows, split in two, and + rawhide strings woven in, something in form of the old-fashioned, + split-bottomed chairs. Our clothes were of the bloomer costume, and + generally were made of flannel. Well do I remember a remark one of the + company made here, that we were about as near heaven as we could get. We + camped a little on the west side of the summit the second night." + </p> + <p> + Here they gathered a few boughs, kindled a fire upon the surface of the + snow, boiled their coffee, and ate their pitiful allowance of beef; then + wrapping their toil-worn bodies in their blankets, lay down upon the snow. + As W. C. Graves remarks, it was a bed that was soft, and white, and + beautiful, and yet it was a terrible bed—a bed of death. The third + day they walked five miles. Starting almost at dawn, they struggled + wearily through the deep drifts, and when the night shadows crept over + crag and pine and mountain vale, they were but five miles on their + journey. They did not speak during the day, except when speech was + absolutely necessary. All traveled silently, and with downcast eyes. The + task was beginning to tell upon the frames of even the strongest and most + resolute. The hunger that continually gnawed at their vitals, the + excessive labor of moving the heavy, clumsy snow-shoes through the soft, + yielding snow, was too much for human endurance. They could no longer keep + together and aid each other with words of hope. They struggled along, + sometimes at great distances apart. The fatigue and dazzling sunlight + rendered some of them snowblind. One of these was the noble-hearted + Stanton. On this third day he was too blind and weak to keep up with the + rest, and staggered into the camp long after the others had finished their + pitiful supper. Poor, brave, generous Stanton! He said little, but in his + inner heart he knew that the end of his journey was almost at hand. + </p> + <p> + Who was this heroic being who left the beautiful valleys of the Sacramento + to die for strangers? See him wearily toiling onward during the long hours + of the fourth day. The agony and blindness of his eyes wring no cry from + his lips, no murmur, no word of complaint. With patient courage and heroic + fortitude he strives to keep pace with his companions, but finds it + impossible. Early in the morning he drops to the rear, and is soon lost to + sight. At night he drags his weary limbs into camp long after his comrades + are sleeping 'neath the silent stars. It must be remembered that they had + been accustomed to short allowance of food for months, while he had been + used to having an abundance. Their bodies had been schooled to endure + famine, privations, and long, weary walks. For many days before reaching + the mountains, they had been used to walking every day, in order to + lighten the burdens of the perishing oxen. Fatigues which exhausted them + crushed Stanton. The weather was clear and pleasant, but the glare of the + sun during the day had been like molten fire to their aching eyes. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the fifth day Stanton was sitting smoking by the + smoldering fire when the company resumed its journey. Mary Graves, who had + a tender heart for the suffering of others, went kindly up to him, and + asked him if he were coming. "Yes," he replied, "I am coming soon." Was he + answering her, or the unseen spirits that even then were beckoning him to + the unknown world? "Yes, I am coming soon!" These were his last words. His + companions were too near death's door to return when they found he came + not, and so he perished. He had begged them piteously to lead him, during + the first days of his blindness, but seeming to realize that they were + unable to render assistance, he ceased to importune, and heroically met + his fate. He did not blame his comrades. They were weak, exhausted, and + ready to die of starvation. With food nearly gone, strength failing, hope + lost, and nothing left but the last, blind, clinging instinct of life, it + was impossible that the perishing company should have aided the perishing + Stanton. He was a hero of the highest, noblest, grandest stamp. No words + can ever express a fitting tribute to his memory. He gave his life for + strangers who had not the slightest claim to the sacrifice. He left the + valleys where friends, happiness, and abundance prevailed, to perish + amidst chilling snow-drifts—famished and abandoned. The act of + returning to save the starving emigrants is as full of heroic grandeur as + his death is replete with mournful desolation. + </p> + <p> + In May, 1847, W. C. Graves, in company with a relief party, found the + remains of C. T. Stanton near the spot where he had been left by his + companions. The wild animals had partially devoured his body, but the + remains were easily identified by means of his clothing and pistols. + </p> + <p> + The following sketch of this hero is kindly furnished by his brother, + Sidney Stanton, of Cazenovia, New York: + </p> + <p> + "Charles Tyler Stanton was born at Pompey, Onondaga County, New York, + March 11, 1811. He was five feet five inches in height. He had brown eyes + and brown hair. He possessed a robust constitution, and although rather + slender during his youth, at the age of fifteen he became strong and + hearty, and could endure as great hardships as any of his brothers. He had + five brothers and four sisters, and was the seventh child. His + grandparents, on his father's side, were well off at the close of the + revolutionary war, but sold their large farms, and took Continental money + in payment. Soon afterward this money became worthless, and they lost all. + They were at the time living in Berkshire, Massachusetts, but soon after + removed west to the county where C. T. Stanton was born. There were in his + father's family fourteen children—seven sons and seven daughters." + </p> + <p> + In his younger days Stanton was engaged as a clerk in a store. He was + honest, industrious, and greatly beloved by those with whom he came in + contact. His early education was limited, but during his employment as + clerk he used every possible endeavor to improve his mind. During his + journey across the plains, he was regarded as somewhat of a savant, on + account of his knowledge of botany, geology, and other branches of natural + science. His disposition was generous to a fault. He never was happier + than when bestowing assistance upon needy friends. His widowed mother, for + whom he entertained the most devoted affection, was kindly cared for by + him until her death in 1835. After this sad event he removed to Chicago. + At Chicago he made money rapidly for a time, and his hand was ever ready + to give aid to those about him. Charity and heroic self-sacrifice appear + to have been his predominant characteristics. They stand out in bold + relief, not only in his early history, but during his connection with the + Donner Party. While in the mountains he had no money to give, but instead + he gave his strength, his energy, his love, his all, his very life, for + his companions. + </p> + <p> + That he had a premonition of the gloomy fate which overtook him in the + Sierra, or at least that he fully realized the perils to which he was + exposing his life, is indicated by the following incident: When he set out + from Sutter's Fort to return to the Donner train with provisions, he left + a vest with Captain Sutter. In one of the pockets of this vest was + subsequently found a package directed to the Captain with the following + memorandum: "Captain Sutter will send the within, in the event of my + death, to Sidney Stanton, Syracuse, New York." The package contained a + diamond breastpin. Mr. Sidney Stanton writes as follows concerning this + keepsake: + </p> + <p> + "I will give you a short history or account of the pin which was left for + me at Sutter's Fort, which Mr. McKinstry forwarded to me. This was an + event so peculiar at the time. He visited me here at Syracuse, while he + was prospering in Chicago. He was on his way to New York, and wanted a sum + of money, which I advanced. Before leaving he fastened this pin on the + dress of my wife, remarking that she must consider it as a present from + him. Nothing more was thought of this event until he again wanted money. + Misfortune had overtaken him, and this event gave him much pain, not so + much on his own account as because he could not relieve the distress of + dear friends when asked for aid. I sent him a little more money; I had not + much to spare, and in talking the matter over with my wife, she asked, + 'Why not send him the pin? It is valuable, and in time of need he might + dispose of it for his comfort.' In saying this she took the ground that it + was left with her as a pledge, not as a gift. I therefore handed it to my + sister to send to him for this purpose. But it appears by his keeping it + and sending it back in the way he did, that he did consider it a gift, and + hence he would not and did not dispose of it for necessary things for his + own comfort. This pin was the only thing of value which he had at the time + of his death." + </p> + <p> + Stanton was an excellent writer. His descriptions of his travels from + Chicago to the South would make a good-sized and a very interesting book. + His last composition is given below. It is an appropriate ending to this + brief outline of the history of one who should be regarded as one of the + noblest of California's pioneer heroes: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "To My Mother In Heaven." +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, how that word my soul inspires + With holy, fond, and pure desires! + Maternal love, how bright the flame! + For wealth of worlds I'd not profane + Nor idly breathe thy sacred name, + My mother." + + "Thy sainted spirit dwells on high. + How oft I weep, how oft I sigh + Whene'er I think of bygone time, + Thy smile of love, which once was mine, + That look so heavenly and divine, + My mother." + + "Thy warning voice in prayers of love, + Ascending to the throne above + With tones of eloquence so rife, + Hath turned my thoughts from worldly strife, + And cheered me through my wayward life, + My mother." + + "When death shall close my sad career, + And I before my God appear + There to receive His last decree + My only prayer there will be + Forever to remain with thee, + My mother." +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Wife's Devotion + The Smoky Gorge + Caught in a Storm + Casting Lots to See Who should Die + A Hidden River + The Delirium of Starvation + Franklin Ward Graves + His Dying Advice + A Frontiersman's Plan + The Camp of Death + A Dread Resort + A Sister's Agony + The Indians Refuse to Eat + Lewis and Salvador Flee for Their Lives + Killing a Deer + Tracks Marked by Blood + Nine Days without Food. +</pre> + <p> + Let no one censure Stanton's companions for abandoning their brave + comrade. In less than twenty-four hours all were without food, unless, + indeed, it was Mr. Eddy, who, in his narration published by Judge + Thornton, states that on the day of Stanton's death he found half a pound + of bear's meat which had been secreted in a little bag by his wife. + Attached to this meat was a paper, upon which his wife had written in + pencil a note signed, "Your own dear Eleanor." Mr. Eddy had not discovered + this meat until the sorest hour of need, and the hope expressed in Mrs. + Eddy's note, that it would be the means of saving his life, was literally + fulfilled. There is something extremely touching in the thought that this + devoted wife, who, as will presently be seen, was starving to death in the + cabins, saved her husband's life by clandestinely concealing about his + person a portion of the food which should have sustained herself and her + infant children. + </p> + <p> + In the account given by Mary Graves, is mentioned the following incident + in the fourth day's travel: "Observing by the way a deep gorge at the + right, having the appearance of being full of smoke, I wanted very much to + go to it, but the Indians said no, that was not the way. I prevailed on + the men to fire the gun, but there was no answer. Every time we neared the + gorge I would halloo at the top of my voice, but we received no answer." + </p> + <p> + On this day the horror of the situation was increased by the commencement + of a snow-storm. As the flakes fell thick and fast, the party sat down in + the snow utterly discouraged and heartsick. + </p> + <p> + Mary Graves says: "What to do we did not know. We held a consultation, + whether to go ahead without provisions, or go back to the cabins, where we + must undoubtedly starve. Some of those who had children and families + wished to go back, but the two Indians said they would go on to Captain + Sutter's. I told them I would go too, for to go back and hear the cries of + hunger from my little brothers and sisters was more than I could stand. I + would go as far as I could, let the consequences be what they might." + </p> + <p> + There, in the deep, pitiless storm, surrounded on all sides by desolate + wastes of snow, the idea was first advanced that life might be sustained + if some one were to perish. Since leaving the cabins, they had at no time + allowed themselves more than one ounce of meat per meal, and for two + entire days they had not tasted food. The terrible pangs of hunger must be + speedily allayed or death was inevitable. Some one proposed that lots be + cast to see who should die. The terrible proposition met with opposition + from Foster and others, but slips of paper were actually prepared by some + of the men, and he who drew the longest—the fatal slip—was + Patrick Dolan. Who should take Dolan's life? Who was to be the executioner + of the man who had so generously given up the food which might have + sustained his life, and joined the forlorn hope that others might live? + With one accord they rose to their feet and staggered forward. As if to + banish from their minds the horrid thought of taking Dolan's life, they + attempted to pursue their journey. + </p> + <p> + With the greatest exertion and suffering they managed to crawl, and + stagger, and flounder along until they attained a distance of two or three + miles. Here they camped, and passed a most wretched, desolate night. The + morning dawned; it was dreary, rainy, and discouraging. The little party + set out as usual, but were too weak and lifeless to travel. The soft snow + clung to their feet in heavy lumps like snow-balls. Instead of making a + fire in a new place, Mary Graves says they crawled back to the camp-fire + of the night previous. Here they remained until night came on—a + night full of horrors. The wind howled through the shrieking forests like + troops of demons. The rain had continued all day, but finally changed to + snow and sleet, which cut their pinched faces, and made them shiver with + cold. All the forces of nature seemed to combine for their destruction. At + one time during the night, in attempting to kindle a fire, the ax or + hatchet which they had carried was lost in the loose snow. + </p> + <p> + A huge fire was kindled at last, with the greatest difficulty, and in + order to obtain more warmth, all assisted in piling fuel upon the flames. + Along in the night, Mr. Foster thinks it was near midnight, the heat of + the flames and the dropping coals and embers thawed the snow underneath + the fire until a deep, well-like cavity was formed about the fire. + Suddenly, as if to intensify the dreadful horrors of the situation, the + bottom of this well gave way, and the fire disappeared! The camp and the + fire had been built over a stream of water, and the fire had melted + through the overlying snow until it had fallen into the stream! Those who + peered over the brink of the dark opening about which they were gathered, + could hear, far down in the gloom, during the lull of the storm, the sound + of running waters. + </p> + <p> + If there is anything lacking in this picture of despair, it is furnished + in the groans and cries of the shivering, dying outcasts, and the + demoniacal shrieks and ravings of Patrick Dolan, who was in the delirium + which precedes death. It was not necessary that life should be taken by + the members of the company. Death was busily at work, and before the wild + winter night was ended, his ghastly victims were deaf to wind or storm. + </p> + <p> + When the fire disappeared, it became apparent that the entire forlorn hope + would perish before morning if exposed to the cold and storm. W. H. Eddy + says the wind increased until it was a perfect tornado. About midnight, + Antoine overcome by starvation, fatigue, and the bitter cold, ceased to + breathe. Mr. F. W. Graves was dying. There was a point beyond which an + iron nerve and a powerful constitution were unable to sustain a man. This + point had been reached, and Mr. Graves was fast passing away. He was + conscious, and calling his weeping, grief-stricken daughters to his side, + exhorted them to use every means in their power to prolong their lives. He + reminded them of their mother, of their little brothers and sisters in the + cabin at the lake. He reminded Mrs. Pike of her poor babies. Unless these + daughters succeeded in reaching Sutter's Fort, and were able to send back + relief, all at the lake must certainly die. Instances had been cited in + history, where, under less provocation, human flesh had been eaten, yet + Mr. Graves well knew that his daughters had said they would never touch + the loathsome food. + </p> + <p> + Was there not something noble and grand in the dying advice of this + father? Was he not heroic when he counseled that all false delicacy be + laid aside and that his body be sacrificed to support those that were to + relieve his wife and children? + </p> + <p> + Earnestly pleading that these afflicted children rise superior to their + prejudices and natural instincts—Franklin Ward Graves died. A + sublimer death seldom is witnessed. In the solemn darkness, in the + tempestuous storm, on the deep, frozen snow-drifts, overcome by pain and + exposure, with the pangs of famine gnawing away his life, this unselfish + father, with his latest breath urged that his flesh be used to prolong the + lives of his companions. Truly, a soul that could prompt such utterances + had no need, after death, for its mortal tenement—it had a better + dwelling-place on high. + </p> + <p> + With two of their little number in the icy embraces of death, some plan to + obtain warmth for the living was immediately necessary. W. H. Eddy + proposed a frontiersman's method. It was for all to huddle closely + together in a circle, lie down on a blanket with their heads outward, and + be covered with a second blanket. Mr. Eddy arranged his companions, spread + the blanket over them, and creeping under the coverlid, completed the + circle. The wind swept the drifting snow in dense clouds over their heads. + The chilling air, already white with falling snowflakes, became dense with + the drifting masses. In a little while the devoted band were completely + hidden from wind, or storm, or piercing cold, by a deep covering of snow. + The warmth of their bodies, confined between the blankets, under the depth + of snow, soon rendered them comfortably warm. Their only precaution now + was to keep from being buried alive. Occasionally some member of the party + would shake the rapidly accumulating snow from off their coverlid. + </p> + <p> + They no longer were in danger of freezing. But while the elements were + vainly waging fierce war above their heads, hunger was rapidly sapping the + fountains of life, and claiming them for its victims. When, for a moment, + sleep would steal away their reason, in famished dreams they would seize + with their teeth the hand or arm of a companion. The delirium of death had + attacked one or two, and the pitiful wails and cries of these + death-stricken maniacs were heart-rending. The dead, the dying, the + situation, were enough to drive one crazy. + </p> + <p> + The next day was ushered in by one of the most furious storms ever + witnessed on the Sierra. All the day long, drifts and the fast-falling + snow circled above them under the force of the fierce gale. The air was a + frozen fog of swift-darting ice-lances. The fine particles of snow and + sleet, hurled by maddened storm-fiends, would cut and sting so that one's + eyes could not be opened in the storm, and the rushing gale would hurl one + prostrate on the snow. Once or twice the demented Dolan escaped from his + companions and disappeared in the blinding storm. Each time he returned or + was caught and dragged 'neath the covering, but the fatal exposure chilled + the little life remaining in his pulses. During the afternoon he ceased to + shriek, or struggle, or moan. Patrick Dolan, the warm-hearted Irishman, + was starved to death. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Eddy states, in Thornton's work, that they entered this Camp of Death, + Friday, December 25, Christmas. According to his version they started from + the cabins on the sixteenth day of December, with scanty rations for six + days. On the twenty-second they consumed the last morsel of their + provisions. Not until Sunday noon, December 27, did the storm break away. + They had been over four days without food, and two days and a half without + fire. They were almost dead. + </p> + <p> + Is there a mind so narrow, so uncharitable, that it can censure these poor + dying people for the acts of this terrible day? With their loved ones + perishing at Donner Lake, with the horror of a lingering death staring + them in the face, can the most unfeeling heart condemn them? + </p> + <p> + Emerging from the dreary prison-house, they attempted to kindle a fire. + Their matches were wet and useless. Their flint-lock gun would give forth + a spark, but without some dry material that would readily ignite, it was + of no avail. + </p> + <p> + On this morning of the twenty-seventh Eddy says that he blew up a + powder-horn in an effort to strike fire under the blankets. His face and + hands were much burned. Mrs. McCutchen and Mrs. Foster were also burned, + but not seriously. For some time all efforts to obtain a fire proved + fruitless. Their garments were drenched by the storm. Mrs. Pike had a + mantle that was lined with cotton. The lining of this was cut open, and + the driest portion of the cotton was exposed to the sun's rays, in the + hope that it could be made to catch the spark from the flint. At last they + were successful. A fire was kindled in a dead tree, and the flames soon + leaped up to the loftiest branches. The famished, shivering wretches + gathered round the burning tree. So weak and lifeless were they that when + the great pine limbs burned off and fell crashing about them, neither man + nor woman moved or attempted to escape the threatening danger. All felt + that sudden death would be welcome. They were stunned and horrified by the + dreadful alternative which it was evident they must accept. + </p> + <p> + The men finally mustered up courage to approach the dead. With averted + eyes and trembling hand, pieces of flesh were severed from the inanimate + forms and laid upon the coals. It was the very refinement of torture to + taste such food, yet those who tasted lived. One could not eat. Lemuel + Murphy was past relief. A boy about thirteen years old, Lemuel was dearly + loved by his sisters, and, full of courage, had endeavored to accompany + them on the fearful journey. He was feeble when he started from the + cabins, and the overwhelming sufferings of the fatal trip had destroyed + his remaining strength. Starvation is agony during the first three days, + apathy and inanition during the fourth and perhaps the fifth, and delirium + from that time until the struggle ceases. When the delirium commences, + hope ends. Lemuel was delirious Sunday morning, and when food was placed + to his lips he either could not eat or was too near death to revive. All + day Mrs. Foster held her brother's head in her lap, and by every means in + her power sought to soothe his death agonies. The sunlight faded from the + surrounding summits. Darkness slowly emerged from the canyons and enfolded + forest and hill-slope in her silent embrace. The glittering stars appeared + in the heavens, and the bright, full moon rose over the eastern mountain + crests. The silence, the profound solitude, the ever-present wastes of + snow, the weird moonlight, and above all the hollow moans of the dying boy + in her lap, rendered this night the most impressive in the life of Mrs. + Foster. She says she never beholds a bright moonlight without recurring + with a shudder to this night on the Sierra. At two o'clock in the morning + Lemuel Murphy ceased to breathe. The warm tears and kisses of the + afflicted sisters were showered upon lips that would never more quiver + with pain. + </p> + <p> + Until the twenty-ninth of December they remained at the "Camp of Death." + Would you know more of the shuddering details? Does the truth require the + narration of the sickening minutiae of the terrible transactions of these + days? Human beings were never called upon to undergo more trying ordeals. + Dividing into groups, the members of each family were spared the pain of + touching their own kindred. Days and perhaps weeks of starvation were + awaiting them in the future, and they dare not neglect to provide as best + they might. Each of the four bodies was divested of its flesh, and the + flesh was dried. Although no person partook of kindred flesh, sights were + often witnessed that were blood-curdling. Mrs. Foster, as we have seen, + fairly worshiped her brother Lemuel. Has human pen power to express the + shock of horror this sister received when she saw her brother's heart + thrust through with a stick, and broiling upon the coals? No man can + record or read such an occurrence without a cry of agony! What, then, did + she endure who saw this cruel sight? + </p> + <p> + These are facts. They are given just as they came from the lips of Mrs. + Foster, a noble woman, who would have died of horror and a broken heart + but for her starving babe, her mother, and her little brothers and sisters + who were at Donner Lake. Mary Graves corroborates Mrs. Foster, and W. H. + Eddy gave a similar version to Judge Thornton. + </p> + <p> + The Indian guides, Lewis and Salvador, would not eat this revolting food. + They built a fire away from the company, and with true Indian stoicism + endured the agonies of starvation without so much as beholding the + occurrences at the other camp-fire. + </p> + <p> + Starved bodies possess little flesh, and starving people could carry but + light burdens through such snow-drifts. On these accounts, the provision + which the Almighty seemed to have provided to save their lives, lasted + only until the thirty-first On New Year's morning they ate their moccasins + and the strings of their snow-shoes. On the night before, Lewis and + Salvador caught the sound of ominous words, or perceived glances that were + filled with dreadful import, and during the darkness they fled. + </p> + <p> + For several days past the party had been lost. The Indians could not + recognize the country when it was hidden from thirty to fifty feet in + snow. Blindly struggling forward, they gradually separated into three + parties. On the fourth, W. H. Eddy and Mary Graves were in advance with + the gun. A starved deer crossed their path and providentially was slain. + Drinking its warm blood and feasting upon its flesh, this couple waited + for the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mrs. McCutchen, and Mrs. Pike, who + were some distance behind. Night came and passed and they did not arrive. + Indeed, Foster was dying for lack of nourishment. Behind this party were + Mr. and Mrs. Jay Fosdick. During the night, Mr. Fosdick perished, and the + faithful wife, after remaining with him until morning, struggled forward + and met Mrs. Foster and a companion. Mrs. Fosdick related the death of her + husband, and upon being informed of Foster's condition, consented that her + husband's body be converted into food. It was done. This was the first + time that women's hands had used the knife, but by the act a life was + saved. Mrs. Fosdick, although dying, would not touch the food, and but for + the venison would not have lived to see the setting of the sun. But what + was one small deer among so many famished people? Hide, head, feet, + entrails, all were eaten. On the sixth, the last morsel was consumed. They + were now without hope. Their journey was apparently interminable. Wearied, + foot-sore, freezing at night and tortured by hunger during the day, life + could not last many hours. Some one must die; else none could live and + reach the long-talked-of relief. Would it be Eddy, whose wife and two + children were behind? Would it be Mrs. Pike, who left two babes? Mrs. + McCutchen, who left one? Mr. or Mrs. Foster, whose baby boy was at the + cabin? Or would it be Mary Graves or Mrs. Fosdick, who had left mother and + family? On the night of the seventh, they lay down upon the snow without + having tasted a mouthful of food during the day. Continued famine and + exhaustion had so weakened their frames that they could not survive + another day. Yet, on the morning of the seventh, they arose and staggered + onward. Soon they halted and gathered about some freshly made tracks. + Tracks marked by blood! Tracks that they knew had been made by Lewis and + Salvador, whose bare feet were sore and bleeding from cuts and bruises + inflicted by the cruel, jagged rocks, the frozen snow, and flinty ice. + These Indians had eaten nothing for nine days, and had been without fire + or blankets for four days. They could not be far ahead. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Starvation at Donner Lake + Preparing Rawhide for Food + Eating the Firerug + Shoveling Snow off the Beds + Playing they were Tea-cups of Custard + A Starving Baby + Pleading with Silent Eloquence + Patrick Breen's Diary + Jacob Donner's Death + A Child's Vow + A Christmas Dinner + Lost on the Summits + A Stump Twenty-two Feet High + Seven Nursing Babes at Donner Lake + A Devout Father + A Dying Boy + Sorrow and Suffering at the Cabins. +</pre> + <p> + How fared it with those left at Donner Lake? About the time the fifteen + began their terrible journey, Baylis Williams starved to death. Such food + as the rest had was freely given to him, but it did not is satisfy the + demands of his nature. Quietly, uncomplainingly, he had borne the pangs of + famine, and when the company first realized his dreadful condition, he was + in the delirium which preceded death. What words can portray the emotions + of the starving emigrants, when they saw one of their number actually + perish of hunger before their eyes! Williams died in the Graves cabin, and + was buried near the house by W. C. Graves and John Denton. + </p> + <p> + All the Donner Party were starving. When the cattle were killed the hides + had been spread over the cabins in lieu of shingles. These were now taken + down and eaten. All the survivors describe the method of preparing this + miserable substitute for food. The narration by Mrs. J. M. Murphy + (Virginia E. Reed), of San Jose, is among the most vivid. She says the + green rawhides were cut into strips and laid upon the coals, or held in + the flames until the hair was completely singed off. Either side of the + piece of hide was then scraped with a knife until comparatively clean, and + was placed in a kettle and boiled until soft and pulpy. There was no salt, + and only a little pepper, and yet this substance was all that was between + them and starvation. When cold, the boiled hides and the water in which + they were cooked, became jellied and exactly resembled glue. The tender + stomachs of many of the little children revolted at this disagreeable + diet, and the loathing they acquired for the sight of this substance still + exists in the minds of some of the survivors. To this day, Thomas K. Reed, + of San Jose, who was then a tiny three-year-old, can not endure the sight + of calf's-foot jelly, or of similar dishes, because of its resemblance to + the loathed food which was all his mother could give him in the cabins at + Donner Lake. + </p> + <p> + William G. Murphy describes how they gathered up the old, castaway bones + of the cattle-bones from which all the flesh had been previously + picked-and boiled, and boiled, and boiled them until they actually would + crumble between the teeth, and were eaten. The little children, playing + upon the fire-rug in his mother's cabin, used to cut off little pieces of + the rug, toast them crisp upon the coals, and then eat them. In this + manner, before any one was fairly aware of the fact, the fire-rug was + entirely consumed. + </p> + <p> + The Donner families, at Prosser Creek, were, if possible, in even a sadder + condition. In order to give a glimpse of the suffering endured in these + two tents, the following is quoted from a letter written by Mrs. W. A. + Babcock (Georgia A. Donner, now residing at Mountain View, Santa Clara + County): "The families shared with one another as long as they had + anything to share. Each one's portion was very small. The hides were + boiled, and the bones were burned brown and eaten. We tried to eat a + decayed buffalo robe, but it was too tough, and there was no nourishment + in it. Some of the few mice that came into camp were caught and eaten. + Some days we could not keep a fire, and many times, during both days and + nights, snow was shoveled from off our tent, and from around it, that we + might not be buried alive. Mother remarked one day that it had been two + weeks that our beds and the clothing upon our bodies had been wet. Two of + my sisters and myself spent some days at Keseberg's cabin. The first + morning we were there they shoveled the snow from our bed before we could + get up. Very few can believe it possible for human beings to live and + suffer the exposure and hardships endured there." + </p> + <p> + Oh! how long and dreary the days were to the hungry children! Even their + very plays and pastimes were pathetic, because of their piteous silent + allusion to the pangs of starvation. Mrs. Frank Lewis (Patty Reed), of San + Jose, relates that the poor, little, famishing girls used to fill the + pretty porcelain tea-cups with freshly fallen snow, daintily dip it out + with teaspoons and eat it, playing it was custard. + </p> + <p> + Dear Mrs. Murphy had the most sacred and pitiful charge. It was the wee + nursing babe, Catherine Pike, whose mother had gone with the "Forlorn + Hope," to try, if possible, to procure relief. All there was to give the + tiny sufferer, was a little gruel made from snow water, containing a + slight sprinkling of coarse flour. This flour was simply ground wheat, + unbolted. Day after day the sweet little darling would lie helplessly upon + its grandmother's lap, and seem with its large, sad eyes to be pleading + for nourishment. Mrs. Murphy carefully kept the little handful of flour + concealed—there was only a handful at the very beginning—lest + some of the starving children might get possession of the treasure. Each + day she gave Catherine a few teaspoonfuls of the gruel. Strangely enough, + this poor little martyr did not often cry with hunger, but with tremulous, + quivering mouth, and a low, subdued sob or moan, would appear to be + begging for something to eat. The poor, dumb lips, if gifted with speech, + could not have uttered a prayer half so eloquent, so touching. Could the + mother, Mrs. Pike, have been present, it would have broken her heart to + see her patient babe dying slowly, little by little. Starvation had dried + the maternal breasts long before Mrs. Pike went away, so that no one can + censure her for leaving her baby. She could only have done as Mrs. Murphy + did, give it the plain, coarse gruel, and watch it die, day by day, upon + her lap. + </p> + <p> + Up to this time, but little has been said of Patrick Breen. He was an + invalid during the winter of 1846 and '47. A man of more than ordinary + intelligence, a devout Catholic, a faithful and devoted father, his life + furnishes a rare type of the pioneer Californian. To Mr. Breen we are + indebted for the most faithful and authentic record of the days spent at + the cabins. This record is in the form of a diary, in which the events of + the day were briefly noted in the order of their occurrence. Lewis + Keseberg kept a similar diary, but it was subsequently accidentally + destroyed. Mrs. Tamsen Donner kept a journal, but this, with her paintings + and botanical collections, disappeared at the fatal tent on Alder Creek. + Mr. Breen's diary alone was preserved. He gave it into Col. McKinstry's + possession in the spring of 1847, and on the fourth of September of that + year it was published in the Nashville (Tenn.) Whig. A copy of the Whig of + that date is furnished by Wm. G. Murphy, of Marysville. Other papers have + published garbled extracts from this diary, but none have been reliable. + The future history of the events which transpired at the cabins will be + narrated in connection with this diary. + </p> + <p> + It must be remembered that the lake had always been known as "Truckee + Lake," it having been named after an old Indian guide who had rendered + much assistance to the Schallenberger party in 1844. The record appears + without the slightest alteration. Even the orthography of the name of the + lake is printed as it was written, "Truckey." + </p> + <p> + The diary commences as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Truckey's Lake, November 20, 1846." + </p> + <p> + "Came to this place on the thirty-first of last month; went into the pass; + the snow so deep we were unable to find the road, and when within three + miles from the summit, turned back to this shanty on Truckey's Lake; + Stanton came up one day after we arrived here; we again took our teams and + wagons, and made another unsuccessful attempt to cross in company with + Stanton; we returned to this shanty; it continued to snow all the time. We + now have killed most part of our cattle, having to remain here until next + spring, and live on lean beef, without bread or salt. It snowed during the + space of eight days, with little intermission, after our arrival, though + now clear and pleasant, freezing at night; the snow nearly gone from the + valleys." + </p> + <p> + "November 21. Fine morning; wind northwest; twenty-two of our company + about starting to cross the mountains this day, including Stanton and his + Indians." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 22. Froze last night; fine and clear to-day; no account from those + on the mountains." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 23. Same weather; wind west; the expedition cross the mountains + returned after an unsuccessful attempt." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 25. Cloudy; looks like the eve of a snow-storm; our mountaineers are + to make another trial to-morrow, if fair; froze hard last night." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 26. Began to snow last evening; now rains or sleets; the party do + not start to-day." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 27. Still snowing; now about three feet deep; wind west; killed my + last oxen to-day; gave another yoke to Foster; wood hard to be got." + </p> + <p> + "Nov. 30. Snowing fast; looks as likely to continue as when it commenced; + no living thing without wings can get about." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 1. Still snowing; wind west; snow about six or seven and a half feet + deep; very difficult to get wood, and we are completely housed up; our + cattle all killed but two or three, and these, with the horses and + Stanton's mules, all supposed to be lost in the snow; no hopes of finding + them alive." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 3. Ceases snowing; cloudy all day; warm enough to thaw." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 5. Beautiful sunshine; thawing a little; looks delightful after the + long storm; snow seven or eight feet deep." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 6. The morning fine and clear; Stanton and Graves manufacturing + snow-shoes for another mountain scrabble; no account of mules." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 8. Fine weather; froze hard last night; wind south-west; hard work + to find wood sufficient to keep us warm or cook our beef." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 9. Commenced snowing about eleven o'clock; wind northwest; took in + Spitzer yesterday, so weak that he can not rise without help; caused by + starvation. Some have scanty supply of beef; Stanton trying to get some + for him self and Indians; not likely to get much." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 10. Snowed fast all night, with heavy squalls of wind; continues to + snow; now about seven feet in depth." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 14. Snows faster than any previous day; Stanton and Graves, with + several others, making preparations to cross the mountains on snow-shoes; + snow eight feet on a level." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 16. Fair and pleasant; froze hard last night; the company started on + snow-shoes to cross the mountains; wind southeast." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 17. Pleasant; William Murphy returned from the mountain party last + evening; Baylis Williams died night before last; Milton and Noah started + for Donner's eight days ago; not returned yet; think they are lost in the + snow." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 19. Snowed last night; thawing to-day; wind northwest; a little + singular for a thaw." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 20. Clear and pleasant; Mrs. Reed here; no account from Milton yet. + Charles Burger started for Donner's; turned back; unable to proceed; tough + times, but not discouraged. Our hope is in God. Amen." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 21. Milton got back last night from Donner's camp. Sad news; Jacob + Donner, Samuel Shoemaker, Rhinehart, and Smith are dead; the rest of them + in a low situation; snowed all night, with a strong southwest wind." + </p> + <p> + Jacob Donner was the first to die at Prosser Creek. He expired while + sitting at the table in his tent, with his head bowed upon his hands, as + if in deep meditation. The following terse account is from the gifted pen + of Mrs. S. O. Houghton (Eliza P. Donner), of San Jose: "Jacob Donner was a + slight man, of delicate constitution, and was in poor health when we left + Springfield, Illinois. The trials of the journey reduced his strength and + exhausted his energy. When we reached the place of encampment in the + mountains he was discouraged and gave up in despair. Not even the needs of + his family could rouse him to action. He was utterly dejected and made no + effort, but tranquilly awaited death." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 23. Clear to-day; Milton took some of his meat away; all well at + their camp. Began this day to read the 'Thirty Days' Prayers;' Almighty + God, grant the requests of unworthy sinners! + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 24. Rained all night, and still continues; poor prospect for any + kind of comfort, spiritual or temporal." + </p> + <p> + As will be seen by various references throughout this diary, Mr. Breen was + a devout Catholic. During the darkest hour of trial the prayers were + regularly read. That this might be done during the long weary evenings, as + well as by day, pieces of pitch pine were split and laid carefully in one + corner of the cabin, which would be lighted at the fire, and would serve + as a substitute for candles. Those of the survivors who are living often + speak of the times when they held these sticks while Mr. Breen read the + prayers. So impressive were these religious observances that one girl, a + bright, beautiful child, Virginia E. Reed, made a solemn vow that if God + would hear these prayers, and deliver her family from the dangers + surrounding them, she would become a Catholic. God did save her family, + and she kept her vow. She is to-day a fervent Catholic. + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 25. Began to snow yesterday, snowed all night, and snows yet + rapidly; extremely difficult to find wood; uttered our prayers to God this + Christmas morning; the prospect is appalling, but we trust in Him." + </p> + <p> + What a desolate Christmas morning that was for the snow-bound victims! All + were starving. Something to eat, something to satisfy the terrible + cravings of appetite, was the constant wish of all. Sometimes the wishes + were expressed aloud, but more frequently a gloomy silence prevailed. When + anything was audibly wished for, it was invariably something whose size + was proportional to their hunger. They never wished for a meal, or a + mouthful, but for a barrel full, a wagon load, a house full, or a + storehouse full. + </p> + <p> + On Christmas eve the children spoke in low, subdued tones, of the visits + Santa Claus used to make them in their beautiful homes, before they + started across the plains. Now they knew that no Santa Claus could find + them in the pathless depths of snow. + </p> + <p> + One family, the Reeds, were in a peculiarly distressing situation. They + knew not whether the father was living or dead. No tidings had reached + them since his letters ceased to be found by the wayside. The meat they + had obtained from the Breen and Graves families was now gone, and on + Christmas morning their breakfast was a "pot of glue," as the boiled + rawhide was termed. But Mrs. Reed, the dear, tender-hearted mother, had a + surprise in store for her children this day. When the last ox had been + purchased, Mrs. Reed had placed the frozen meat in one corner of the + cabin, so that pieces could be chipped off with a knife or hatchet. The + tripe, however, she cleaned carefully and hung on the outside of the + cabin, on the end of a log, close to the ground. She knew that the snow + would soon conceal this from view. She also laid away secretly, one + teacupful of white beans, about half that quantity of rice, the same + measure of dried apples, and a piece of bacon two inches square. She knew + that if Christmas found them alive, they would be in a terribly destitute + condition. She therefore resolved to lay these articles away, and give + them to her starving children for a Christmas dinner. This was done. The + joy and gladness of these poor little children knew no bounds when they + saw the treasures unearthed and cooking on the fire. They were, just this + one meal, to have all they could eat! They laughed, and danced, and cried + by turns. They eagerly watched the dinner as it boiled. The pork and tripe + had been cut in dice like pieces. Occasionally one of these pieces would + boil up to the surface of the water for an instant, then a bean would take + a peep at them from the boiling kettle, then a piece of apple, or a grain + of rice. The appearance of each tiny bit was hailed by the children with + shouts of glee. The mother, whose eyes were brimming with tears, watched + her famished darlings with emotions that can be imagined. It seemed too + sad that innocent children should be brought to such destitution that the + very sight of food should so affect them! When the dinner was prepared, + the mother's constant injunction was, "Children, eat slowly, there is + plenty for all." When they thought of the starvation of to-morrow, they + could not repress a shade of sadness, and when the name of papa was + mentioned all burst into tears. Dear, brave papa! Was he struggling to + relieve his starving family, or lying stark and dead 'neath the snows of + the Sierra? This question was constantly uppermost in the mother's mind. + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 27. Cleared off yesterday, and continues clear; snow nine feet deep; + wood growing scarce; a tree, when felled, sinks into the snow, and is hard + to be got at." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 30. Fine clear morning; froze hard last night. Charles Burger died + last evening about 10 o'clock." + </p> + <p> + "Dec. 31. Last of the year. May we, with the help of God, spend the coming + year better than we have the past, which we propose to do if it is the + will of the Almighty to deliver us from our present dreadful situation. + Amen. Morning fair, but cloudy; wind east by south; looks like another + snow-storm. Snow-storms are dreadful to us. The snow at present is very + deep." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 1, 1847. We pray the God of mercy to deliver us from our present + calamity, if it be His holy will. Commenced snowing last night, and snows + a little yet. Provisions getting very scanty; dug up a hide from under the + snow yesterday; have not commenced on it yet." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 3. Fair during the day, freezing at night. Mrs. Reed talks of + crossing the mountains with her children." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 4. Fine morning; looks like spring. Mrs. Reed and Virginia, Milton + Elliott, and Eliza Williams started a short time ago with the hope of + crossing the mountains; left the children here. It was difficult for Mrs. + Reed to part with them." + </p> + <p> + This expedition was only one of many that the emigrants attempted. The + suffering that was endured at these times was indescribable. The broken, + volcanic nature of the summits rendered it extremely difficult to keep + from getting lost. The white, snowy cliffs were everywhere the same. This + party became bewildered and lost near the beautiful Lake Angeline, which + is close to the present "Summit Station" of the Central Pacific. Had they + attempted to proceed, all would undoubtedly have perished. + </p> + <p> + Within half a mile of the wagon road which now extends from Donner Lake to + the Summit are places where rocks and cliffs are mingled in wildest + confusion. Even in summertime it is difficult to find one's way among the + broken, distorted mountain tops. In the mighty upheaval which produced the + Sierra Nevada, these vast mounds or mountains of frowning granite were + grouped into weird, fantastic labyrinths. Time has wrought little effect + upon their hold precipitous sides, and made slight impress upon their + lofty and almost inaccessible crests. Between these fragmentary mountains, + in shapely, symmetrical bowls which have been delved by the fingers of the + water nymphs and Undines, lie beautiful lakelets. Angeline is but one of a + dozen which sparkle like a chain of gems between Donner Lake and the + snowy, overhanging peaks of Mount Stanford. The clefts and fissures of the + towering granite cliffs are filled, in summer, with dainty ferns, clinging + mosses, and the loveliest of mountain wild flowers, and the rims of the + lakelets are bordered with grasses, shrubbery, and a wealth of wild + blossoms. But in winter this region exhibits the very grandeur of + desolation. No verdure is visible save the dwarfed and shattered pines + whose crushed branches mark the path of the rushing avalanche. The furious + winds in their wild sport toss and tumble the snow-drifts here and there, + baring the sterile peaks, and heaping the white masses a hundred feet deep + into chasm and gorge. The pure, clear lakes, as if in very fear, hide + their faces from the turbulent elements in mantles of ice. The sun is + darkened by dense clouds, and the icy, shivering, shrieking stormfiends + hold undisturbed their ghastly revels. On every side are lofty battlements + of rock, whose trembling burden of snow seems ever ready to slide from its + glassy foundations of ice, and entomb the bewildered traveler. + </p> + <p> + Into this interminable maze of rocks and cliffs and frozen lakelets, the + little party wandered. Elliott had a compass, but it soon proved + worthless, and only added to their perplexed and uncertain state of mind. + They were out five days. Virginia's feet became so badly frozen that she + could not walk. This occurrence saved the party. Reluctantly they turned + back toward the cabins, convinced that it was madness to attempt to go + forward. They reached shelter just as one of the most terrible storms of + all that dreadful winter broke over their heads. Had they delayed their + return a few hours, the path they made in ascending the mountains, and by + means of which they retraced their steps, would have been concealed, and + death would have been certain. + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 6. Eliza came back yesterday evening from the mountains, unable to + proceed; the others kept ahead." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 8. Mrs. Reed and the others came back; could not find their way on + the other side of the mountains. They have nothing but hides to live on." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 10. Began to snow last night; still continues; wind + west-north-west." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 13. Snowing fast; snow higher than the shanty; it must be thirteen + feet deep. Can not get wood this morning; it is a dreadful sight for us to + look upon." + </p> + <p> + One of the stumps near the Graves-Reed cabin, cut while the snow was at + its deepest, was found, by actual measurement, to be twenty-two feet in + height. Part of this stump is standing to-day. + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 14. Cleared off yesterday. The sun, shining brilliantly, renovates + our spirits. Praise be to the God of heaven." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 15. Clear to-day again. Mrs. Murphy blind; Landrum not able to get + wood; has but one ax between him and Keseberg. It looks like another + storm; expecting some account from Sutter's soon." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 17. Eliza Williams came here this morning; Landrum crazy last night; + provisions scarce; hides our main subsistence. May the Almighty send us + help." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 21. Fine morning; John Baptiste and Mr. Denton came this morning + with Eliza; she will not eat hides. Mrs.—sent her back to live or + die on them." + </p> + <p> + The blanks which occasionally occur were in the original diary. The + delicacy which prompted Patrick Breen to omit these names can not fail to + be appreciated. What, if there was sometimes a shade of selfishness, or an + act of harshness? What if some families had more than their destitute + neighbors? The best provided had little. All were in reality strangely + generous. All divided with their afflicted companions. The Reeds had + almost nothing to eat when they arrived at the cabins, yet this family is + the only one which reached the settlements without some one member having + to partake of human flesh. + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 22. Began to snow after sunrise; likely to continue; wind north." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 23. Blew hard and snowed all night; the most severe storm we have + experienced this winter; wind west." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 26. Cleared up yesterday; to-day fine and pleasant: wind south; in + hopes we are done with snow-storms. Those who went to Sutter's not yet + returned; provisions getting scant; people growing weak, living on a small + allowance of hides." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 27. Commenced snowing yesterday; still continues to-day. Lewis + Keseberg, Jr., died three days ago; food growing scarce; don't have fire + enough to cook our hides." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 30. Fair and pleasant; wind west; thawing in the sun. John and + Edward Breen went to Graves' this morning. Mrs.—seized on Mrs. Ñ 's + goods until they would be paid; they also took the hides which herself and + family subsisted upon. She regained two pieces only, the balance they have + taken. You may judge from this what our fare is in camp. There is nothing + to be had by hunting, yet perhaps there soon will be." + </p> + <p> + "Jan. 31. The sun does not shine out brilliant this morning; froze hard + last night; wind northwest. Landrum Murphy died last night about ten + o'clock; Mrs. Reed went to Graves' this morning to look after goods." + </p> + <p> + Landrum Murphy was a large and somewhat overgrown young man. The hides and + burnt bones did not contain sufficient nourishment to keep him alive. For + some hours before he died, he lay in a semi-delirious state, breathing + heavily and seemingly in little or no pain. Mrs. Murphy went to the Breen + camp, and asked Mrs. Breen for a piece of meat to save her starving boy. + Mrs. Breen gave her the meat, but it was too late, Landrum could not eat. + Finally he sank into a gentle slumber. His breathing grew less and less + distinct, and ere they were fairly aware of it life was extinct. + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 4. Snowed hard until twelve o'clock last night; many uneasy for fear + we shall all perish with hunger; we have but little meat left, and only + three hides; Mrs. Reed has nothing but one hide, and that is on Graves' + house; Milton lives there, and likely will keep that. Eddy's child died + last night." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 5. It snowed faster last night and to-day than it has done this + winter before; still continues without intermission; wind south-west. + Murphy's folks and Keseberg say they can not eat hides. I wish we had + enough of them. Mrs. Eddy is very weak." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 7. Ceased to snow at last; to-day it is quite pleasant. McCutchen's + child died on the second of this month." + </p> + <p> + This child died and was buried in the Graves cabin. Mr. W. C. Graves + helped dig the grave near one side of the cabin, and laid the little one + to rest. One of the most heart-rending features of this Donner tragedy is + the number of infants that suffered. Mrs. Breen, Pike, Foster, McCutchen, + Eddy, Keseberg, and Graves each had nursing babes when the fatal camp was + pitched at Donner Lake. + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 8. Fine, clear morning. Spitzer died last night, and we will bury + him in the snow; Mrs. Eddy died on the night of the seventh." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 9. Mrs. Pike's child all but dead; Milton is at Murphy's, not able + to get out of bed; Mrs. Eddy and child were buried to-day; wind + south-east." + </p> + <p> + Feb. 10. Beautiful morning; thawing in the sun; Milton Elliott died last + night at Murphy's cabin, and Mrs. Reed went there this morning to see + about his effects. John Denton trying to borrow meat for Graves; had none + to give; they had nothing but hides; all are entirely out of meat, but a + little we have; our hides are nearly all eat up, but with God's help + spring will soon smile upon us." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 12. Warm, thawy morning." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 14. Fine morning, but cold. Buried Milton in the snow; John Denton + not well." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 15. Morning cloudy until nine o'clock, then cleared off warm. Mrs. + —— refused to give Mrs. —— any hides. Put Sutter's + pack hides on her shanty, and would not let her have them." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 16. Commenced to rain last evening, and turned to snow during the + night, and continued until morning; weather changeable, sunshine and then + light showers of hail, and wind at times. We all feel unwell. The snow is + not getting much less at present." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Last Resort + Two Reports of a Gun + Only Temporary Relief + Weary Traveling + The Snow Bridges + Human Tracks! + An Indian Rancherie + Acorn Bread + Starving Five Times! + Carried Six Miles + Bravery of John Rhodes + A Thirty-two Days Journey + Organizing the First Relief Party + Alcalde Sinclair's Address + Captain R. P. Tucker's Companions. +</pre> + <p> + It is recorded of Lewis and Salvador that they came willingly to the + relief of the emigrants. Two of Sutter's best trained vaqueros, faithful, + honest, reliable, they seemed rather proud when chosen to assist Stanton + in driving the mules laden with provisions for the starving train. Now + they were dying! Horrified at the sight of human beings eating the flesh + of their comrades, they withdrew from the whites at the "Camp of Death." + After that they always camped apart, but continued to act as guides until + they became certain that their own lives were in danger. Then they fled. + Starving, exhausted, with frozen and bleeding feet, the poor wretches + dragged their weary bodies onward until they reached a little streamlet, + and here they lay down to die. Nine days, with no other food than they + could find in the snow, was too much even for their hardy natures. They + were unable to move when the famished "Seven" passed. Yes, passed! for the + starving emigrants went on by the poor fellows, unable to deprive them of + the little spark of life left in their wasted bodies. Traveling was now + slow work for the dying whites. They only went about two hundred yards. In + a few more hours, perhaps that very night, they would die of starvation. + Already the terrible phantasies of delirium were beginning to dance before + their sunken eyes. Ere the Indians would cease breathing some of the Seven + would be past relief. There were two men and five women. William Foster + could see that his wife—the woman who was all the world to him—was + fast yielding to the deadly grasp of the fiends of starvation. For the + sake of his life she had stifled the most sacred instincts of her womanly + nature, and procured him food from Fosdick's body. Should he see her die + the most terrible of deaths without attempting to rescue her? Reader, put + yourself in this man's place. Brave, generous, heroic, full of lion-like + nobility, William Foster could not stoop to a base action. Contemplate his + position! Lying there prostrate upon the snow was Mrs. Pike, the woman + whom, accidentally, he had rendered a widow. Her babes were dying in the + cabins. His own boy was at the cabins. His comrades, his wife, were in the + last stages of starvation. He, also, was dying. Eddy had not nerve enough, + the women could not, and William Foster must-what! Was it murder? No! + Every law book, every precept of that higher law, self-preservation, every + dictate of right, reason or humanity, demanded the deed. The Indians were + past all hope of aid. They could not lift their heads from their pillow of + snow. It was not simply justifiable—it was duty; it was a necessity. + </p> + <p> + He told them, when he got back, that he was compelled to take their lives. + They did not moan or struggle, or appear to regret that their lingering + pain was to cease. The five women and Eddy heard two reports of a gun. + </p> + <p> + The "Forlorn Hope" might yet save those who were dying at Donner Lake. + </p> + <p> + Even this relief was but temporary. Taking the wasted flesh from the + bones, drying it, and staggering forward, the little band speedily + realized that they were not yet saved. It was food for only a few days. + Then they again felt their strength failing. Once more they endured the + excruciating torments which precede starvation. + </p> + <p> + In the very complete account of this trip, which is kindly furnished by + Mary Graves, are many interesting particulars concerning the suffering of + these days. "Our only chance for camp-fire for the night," she says, "was + to hunt a dead tree of some description, and set fire to it. The hemlock + being the best and generally much the largest timber, it was our custom to + select the driest we could find without leaving our course. When the fire + would reach the top of the tree, the falling limbs would fall all around + us and bury themselves in the snow, but we heeded them not. Sometimes the + falling, blazing limbs would brush our clothes, but they never hit us; + that would have been too lucky a hit. We would sit or lie on the snow, and + rest our weary frames. We would sleep, only to dream of something nice to + eat, and awake again to disappointment. Such was our sad fate! Even the + reindeer's wretched lot was not worse! 'His dinner and his bed were snow, + and supper he had not.' Our fare was the same! We would strike fire by + means of the flintlock gun which we had with us. This had to be carried by + turns, as it was considered the only hope left in case we might find game + which we could kill. We traveled over a ridge of mountains, and then + descended a deep canyon, where one could scarcely see the bottom. Down, + down we would go, or rather slide, for it is very slavish work going down + hill, and in many cases we were compelled to slide on our shoes as sleds. + On reaching the bottom we would plunge into the snow, so that it was + difficult getting out, with the shoes tied to our feet, our packs lashed + to our backs, and ourselves head and ears under the snow. But we managed + to get out some way, and one by one reached the bottom of the canyon. When + this was accomplished we had to ascend a hill as steep as the one we had + descended. We would drive the toes of our shoes into the loose snow, to + make a sort of step, and one by one, as if ascending stair-steps, we + climbed up. It took us an entire day to reach the top of the mountain. + Each time we attained the summit of a mountain, we hoped we should be able + to see something like a valley, but each time came disappointment, for far + ahead was always another and higher mountain. We found some springs, or, + as we called them, wells, from five to twenty feet under ground, as you + might say, for they were under the snow on which we walked. The water was + so warm that it melted the snow, and from some of these springs were large + streams of running water. We crossed numbers of these streams on bridges + of snow, which would sometimes form upon a blade of grass hanging over the + water; and from so small a foundation would grow a bridge from ten to + twenty-five feet high, and from a foot and a half to three feet across the + top. It would make you dizzy to look down at the water, and it was with + much difficulty we could place our clumsy ox-bow snow-shoes one ahead of + the other without falling. Our feet had been frozen and thawed so many + times that they were bleeding and sore. When we stopped at night we would + take off our shoes, which by this time were so badly rotted by constant + wetting in snow, that there was very little left of them. In the morning + we would push our shoes on, bruising and numbing the feet so badly that + they would ache and ache with walking and the cold, until night would come + again. Oh! the pain! It seemed to make the pangs of hunger more + excruciating." + </p> + <p> + Thus the party traveled on day after day, until absolute starvation again + stared them in the face. The snow had gradually grown less deep, until + finally it disappeared or lay only in patches. Their strength was + well-nigh exhausted, when one day Mary Graves says: "Some one called out, + 'Here are tracks!' Some one asked, 'What kind of tracks human?' 'Yes, + human!' Can any one imagine the joy these footprints gave us? We ran as + fast as our strength would carry us." + </p> + <p> + Turning a chaparral point, they came in full view of an Indian rancherie. + The uncivilized savages were amazed. Never had they seen such forlorn, + wretched, pitiable human beings, as the tattered, disheveled, skeleton + creatures who stood stretching out their arms for assistance. At first, + they all ran and hid, but soon they returned to the aid of these dying + wretches. It is said that the Indian women and children cried, and wailed + with grief at the affecting spectacle of starved men and women. Such food + as they had was speedily offered. It was bread made of acorns. This was + eagerly eaten. It was at least a substitute for food. Every person in the + rancherie, from the toddling papooses to the aged chief, endeavored to aid + them. + </p> + <p> + After what had recently happened, could anything be more touching than + these acts of kindness of the Indians? + </p> + <p> + After briefly resting, they pressed forward. The Indians accompanied and + even led them, and constantly supplied them with food. With food? No, it + was not such food as their weakened, debilitated systems craved. The acorn + bread was not sufficient to sustain lives already so attenuated by + repeated starvations. All that the starved experience in the way of pain + and torture before they die, had been experienced by these people at least + four different times. To their horror, they now discovered that despite + the acorn bread, they must die of hunger and exhaustion a fifth and last + time. So sick and weak did they become, that they were compelled to lie + down and rest every hundred yards. Finally, after being with the Indians + seven days, they lay down, and felt that they never should have strength + to take another step. Before them, in all its beauty and loveliness, + spread the broad valley of the Sacramento. Behind them were the + ever-pleading faces of their starving dear ones. Yet neither hope nor + affection could give them further strength. They were dying in full view + of the long-desired haven of rest. + </p> + <p> + One of the number was hardly so near death's door as his companions. It + was W. H. Eddy. As a last resort, their, faithful allies, the Indians, + took him upon either side, and fairly carried him along. His feet moved, + but they were frozen, and blistered, and cracked, and bleeding. Left + alone, he would have fallen helplessly to the earth. It was as terrible a + journey as ever mortal man performed. How far he traveled, he knew not. + During the last six miles his path was marked by blood-stains from his + swollen feet. + </p> + <p> + By making abridgments from valuable manuscript contributed by George W. + Tucker, of Calistoga, this narrative may be appropriately continued. Mr. + Tucker's father and relatives had reached Johnson's Ranch on the + twenty-fifth of October, 1846. They had been with the Donner Party until + Fort Bridger was reached, and then took the Fort Hall road. Their journey + had been full of dangers and difficulties, and reaching Johnson's Ranch, + the first settlement on the west side of the Sierra, they determined to + remain during the winter. + </p> + <p> + One evening, about the last of January, Mr. Tucker says a man was seen + coming down Bear River, accompanied by an Indian. His haggard, forlorn + look showed he was in great distress. When he reached us, he said he was + of the Donner Party. He told briefly how the train had been caught in the + snow east of the mountains, and was unable to get back or forward. He told + how the fifteen had started, and that six beside himself were still alive. + That the six were back in the mountains, almost starved. R. P. Tucker and + three other men started at once with provisions, the Indian acting as + guide. They reached them, fifteen miles back, some time during the night, + and brought them in the next day. The names of the seven were W. H. Eddy, + William Foster, Mrs. S. A. C. Foster, Mrs. H. F. Pike, Mrs. William + McCutchen, Mrs. Sarah Fosdick, and Mary Graves. It had been thirty-two + days since they left Donner Lake! + </p> + <p> + At Johnson's Ranch there were only three or four families of poor + emigrants. Nothing could be done toward relieving those at Donner Lake + until help could arrive from Sutter's Fort. A rainy winter had flooded + Bear River, and rendered the Sacramento plains a vast quagmire. Yet one + man volunteered to go to Sacramento with the tale of horror, and get men + and provisions. This man was John Rhodes. Lashing two pine logs together + with rawhides, and forming a raft, John Rhodes was ferried over Bear + River. Taking his shoes in his hands, and rolling his pants up above his + knees, he started on foot through water that frequently was from one to + three feet deep. Some time during the night he reached the Fort. + </p> + <p> + A train in the mountains! Men, women, and children starving! It was enough + to make one's blood curdle to think of it! Captain Sutter, generous old + soul, and Alcalde Sinclair, who lived at Norris' Ranch two and a half + miles from the Fort, offered provisions, and five or six men volunteered + to carry them over the mountains. In about a week, six men, fully provided + with supplies, reached Johnson's Ranch. Meantime the Tuckers and their + neighbors had slaughtered five or six fat cattle, and had dried or + "jerked" the meat. The country was scoured for horses and mules, and for + saddles and pack-saddles, but at last, in ten or twelve days, they were + ready to start. Alcalde Sinclair had come up from the Fort, and when all + were ready to begin their march, he made them a thrilling little address. + They were, he said, starting out upon a hazardous journey. Nothing could + justify them in attempting so perilous an undertaking except the + obligations due to their suffering fellow-men. He urged them to do all in + their power, without sacrificing their lives, to save the perishing + emigrants from starvation and death. He then appointed Reasin P. Tucker, + the father of our informant, captain of the company. With a pencil he + carefully wrote down the name of each man in the relief party. The names + were John Rhodes, Daniel Rhodes, Aquilla Glover, R. S. Mootrey, Joseph + Foster, Edward Coffeemire, M. D. Ritchie, James Curtis, William H. Eddy, + William Coon, R. P. Tucker, George W. Tucker, and Adolph Brueheim. Thus + the first relief party started. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Lost Age in California History + The Change Wrought by the Discovery of Gold + The Start from Johnson's Ranch + A Bucking Horse + A Night Ride + Lost in the Mountains + A Terrible Night + A Flooded Camp + Crossing a Mountain Torrent + Mule Springs + A Crazy Companion + Howlings of Gray Wolves + A Deer Rendezvous + A Midnight Thief + Frightening Indians + The Diary of the First Relief Party. +</pre> + <p> + California, at this time, was sparsely settled, and it was a fearful + undertaking to cross the snowy mountains to the relief of the storm-bound + emigrants. A better idea of the difficulties to be encountered by the + various relief parties can not be presented than by quoting from the + manuscript of George W. Tucker. This gentleman was sixteen years old at + the time of the occurrences narrated, and his account is vouched for as + perfectly truthful and reliable. This sketch, like the remainder of this + book, treats of an epoch in California history which has been almost + forgotten. The scene of his adventures is laid in a region familiar to + thousands of miners and early Californians. Along the route over which he + passed with so much difficulty, scores of mining camps sprung up soon + after the discovery of gold, and every flat, ravine, and hill-slope echoed + to pick, and shovel, and pan, and to voices of legions of men. Truly, his + narration relates to a lost, an almost unremembered era in the history of + the famous mining counties, Placer and Nevada. In speaking of the first + relief party, he says: + </p> + <p> + "We mounted our horses and started. The ground was very soft among the + foothills, but we got along very well for two or three miles after leaving + Johnson's ranch. Finally, one of our packhorses broke through the crust, + and down he went to his sides in the mud. He floundered and plunged until + the pack turned underneath his body. He then came out of the mud, bucking + and kicking; and he bucked and kicked, and kicked and bucked, till he + cleared himself of the pack, pack-saddle and all, and away he went back to + the ranch. We gathered up the pack, put it upon the horse Eddy was riding, + and the party traveled on. Eddy and myself were to go back to the ranch, + catch the horse, and returning, overtake them. We failed to find the horse + that day, but the next morning an Indian got on my horse, and, about nine + o'clock, succeeded in finding the missing animal. My horse, however, was + pretty well run down when he got back. Eddy and myself started about ten + o'clock. We had to travel in one day what the company had traveled in two + days. About the time we started it commenced clouding up, and we saw we + were going to have a storm. We went on until about one o'clock, when my + horse gave out. It commenced raining and was very cold. Eddy said he would + ride on and overtake the company, if possible, and have them stop. He did + not overtake them until about dark, after they had camped. + </p> + <p> + "My horse could only go in a slow walk, so I walked and led him to keep + from freezing. The rain continued to increase in volume, and by dark it + was coming down in torrents. It was very cold. The little stream began to + rise, but I waded through, though sometimes it came up to my armpits. It + was very dark, but I kept going on in hopes I would come in sight of the + camp-fire. But the darkness increased, and it was very difficult to find + the road. I would get down on my knees and feel for the road with my + hands. Finally, about nine o'clock, it became so dark that I could not see + a tree until I would run against it, and I was almost exhausted dragging + my horse after me. I had lost the road several times, but found it by + feeling for the wagon-ruts. At last I came to where the road made a short + turn around the point of a hill, and I went straight ahead until I got + forty or fifty yards from the road. I crawled around for some time on my + knees, but could not find it. I knew if the storm was raging in the + morning as it was then, if I got very far from the road, I could not tell + which was east, west, north, or south, I might get lost and perish before + the storm ceased, so I concluded to stay right there until morning. I had + no blanket, and nothing on me but a very light coat and pair of pants. I + tied my horse to a little pine tree, and sitting down, leaned against the + tree. The rain came down in sheets. The wind blew, and the old pine trees + clashed their limbs together. It seemed to me that a second deluge had + come. I would get so cold that I would get up and walk around for a while. + It seemed to me I should surely freeze. Toward morning I began to get + numb, and felt more comfortable, but that was the longest and hardest + night I ever experienced. + </p> + <p> + "In the morning, when it became light enough so that I could see two or + three rods, I got up, but my legs were so numb that I could not walk. I + rolled around until I got up a circulation, and could stand on my feet. + Leaving my horse tied to the tree, I found the road, went about a hundred + yards around the point of a hill, and saw the camp-fire up in a little + flat about a quarter of a mile from where I had spent the night. Going up + to camp, I found the men all standing around a fire they had made, where + two large pines had fallen across each other. They had laid down pine bark + and pieces of wood to keep them out of the water. They had stood up all + night. The water was running two or three inches deep all through the + camp. When I got to the fire, and began to get warm, my legs and arms + began to swell so that I could hardly move or get my hands to my face. + </p> + <p> + "It never ceased raining all that day nor the next night, and we were + obliged to stand around the fire. Everything we had was wet. They had + stacked up our dried beef and flour in a pile, and put the saddles and + pack saddles over it as well as they could, but still it got more or less + wet. The third morning it stopped raining about daylight, and the sun came + out clear and warm. We made scaffolds and spread our meat all out, hung up + our blankets and clothing on lines, and by keeping up fires and with the + help of the sun, we managed to get everything dry by night. The next + morning we packed up and started on until we came to a little valley, + where we found some grass for our horses. We stayed there that night. The + next day we got to Steep Hollow Creek, one of the branches of Bear River. + This stream was not more than a hundred feet wide, but it was about twenty + feet deep, and the current was very swift. We felled a large pine tree + across it, but the center swayed down so that the water ran over it about + a foot deep. We tied ropes together and stretched them across to make a + kind of hand railing, and succeeded in carrying over all our things. We + undertook to make our horses swim the creek, and finally forced two of + them into the stream, but as soon as they struck the current they were + carried down faster than we could run. One of them at last reached the + bank and got ashore, but the other went down under the tree we had cut, + and the first we saw of him he came up about twenty yards below, heels + upward. He finally struck a drift about a hundred yards below, and we + succeeded in getting him out almost drowned. We then tied ropes together, + part of the men went over, and tying a rope to each horse, those on one + side would force him into the water, and the others would draw him across. + We lost a half day at this place. That night we climbed a high mountain, + and came to snow. Camped that night without any feed for our horses. The + next day, about noon, we reached Mule Springs. The snow was from three to + four feet deep, and it was impossible to go any farther with the horses. + Unpacking the animals, Joe Varro and Wm. Eddy started back with them to + Johnson's Ranch. The rest of us went to work and built a brush tent in + which to keep our provisions. We set forks into the ground, laid poles + across, and covered them with cedar boughs. We finished them that evening, + and the next morning ten of the men fixed up their packs, consisting of + dried beef and flour, and started on foot, each one carrying about + seventy-five pounds. They left Billy Coon and myself to watch the + provisions until they returned. I have never been in that country since, + but I think Mule Springs is on the opposite side of Bear River from Dutch + Flat. + </p> + <p> + "After the men had all gone, I amused myself the first day by getting wood + and cutting cedar limbs to finish our camp with. My companion, Billy Coon, + was partially insane, and was no company at all. He would get up in the + morning, eat his food, and then lie down and sleep for two or three hours. + He would only talk when he was spoken to; and all he knew was to sleep and + eat. I got very lonesome, and would sit for hours thinking of our + situation. Sixty miles from any human habitation! Surrounded with wild + Indians and wild beasts! Then, when I would look away at the snow-capped + peaks of the Sierra, and think that my father and the rest of the men + where there, toiling under the heavy loads which they carried, I became + still more gloomy. When night would come, the big gray wolves that had + collected on the mountains facing to the south, where the snow had melted + off, would set up their howlings. This, with the dismal sound of the wind + roaring through the tall pine trees, was almost unendurable. To this day, + when I am in pine timber, and hear the wind sighing through the tree-tops, + I always think of the Donner Party and of those lonely days in the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + "The third day after the men left I became so lonesome that I took the gun + and went down in the direction in which I had heard the wolves howling. + When I got down out of the snow, I found the deer had collected there by + the hundreds. I killed two deer; went up and got Billy Coon, and we + carried them up to camp. We hung one on each corner of our brush tent, not + more than six feet from our bed, and not more than four feet from the + fire. Next morning one of the deer was gone! I supposed the Indians had + found us out and stolen it; but when I looked for tracks I found the thief + had been a California lion. I tracked him two or three hundred yards, but + he had walked off with the deer so easily, I thought he might keep it. + That afternoon I went down to kill another deer, but when I reached a + point from which I could see down to the river, I saw the smoke of an + Indian camp. I was afraid to shoot for fear the Indians would hear the + gun, and finding out we were there, would come up and give us trouble. I + started back, and when in sight of camp I sat down on a log to rest. While + sitting there I saw three Indians coming up the hill. I sat still to see + what they would do. They came up to within sight of the camp, and all + crawled up behind a large sugar-pine tree, and sat there watching the + camp. I did not like their movements, so thought I would give them a + scare. I leveled the old gun at the tree, about six feet above their + heads, and fired away. They got away from there faster than they came, and + I never saw them afterwards." + </p> + <p> + "On the fifth day after the men left, three of them came back to the camp. + They informed me they had been three days in traveling from Mule Springs + to Bear Valley, a distance of twelve miles. These three had found it + impossible to stand the journey, but the other seven had started on from + Bear Valley. It was thought they could never get over to Truckee Lake, for + the snow was so soft it was impossible to carry their heavy loads through + from ten to thirty feet of it." + </p> + <p> + M. D. Ritchie and R. P. Tucker kept a diary of the journey of the first + relief party, which, thanks to Patty Reed, now Mrs. Frank Lewis, is before + us. It is brief, concise, pointed, and completes the narration of Mr. + George W. Tucker. Mr. Ritchie's diary reads: + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 5, 1847. First day traveled ten miles. Bad roads; often miring down + horses and mules. On the sixth and seventh traveled fifteen miles. Road + continued bad; commenced raining before we got to camp, and continued to + rain all that day and night very severe. Lay by here on the eighth to dry + our provisions and clothing." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 9. Traveled fifteen miles. Swam the animals over one creek, and + carried the provisions over on a log." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 10. Traveled four miles; came to the snow; continued about four + miles further. Animals floundering in snow, and camped at the Mule + Springs." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 11. Mr. Eddy started back with the animals; left William Coon and + George Tucker to guard what provisions were left in camp; the other ten + men, each taking about fifty pounds, except Mr. Curtis, who took about + twenty-five pounds. Traveled on through the snow, having a very severe + day's travel over mountains, making about six miles. Camped on Bear River, + near a cluster of large pines." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 12. Moved camp about two miles, and stopped to make snow-shoes; + tried them on and found them of no benefit; cast them away." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 13. Made Bear Valley. Upon digging for Curtis' wagon, found the snow + ten feet deep, and the provisions destroyed by the bears. Rain and snow + fell on us all night." + </p> + <p> + By Curtis' wagon is meant a cache made by Reed and McCutchen, which will + be described in the next chapter. + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 14. Fine weather." + </p> + <p> + From this time forward, the journal was kept by Reasin P. Tucker. + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 15. Fine day. Three of our men decline going any further—W. D. + Ritchie, A. Brueheim, and James Curtis. Only seven men being left, the + party was somewhat discouraged. We consulted together, and under existing + circumstances I took it upon myself to insure every man who persevered to + the end, five dollars per day from the time they entered the snow. We + determined to go ahead, and camped to-night on Yuba River, after traveling + fifteen miles." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 16. Traveling very bad, and snowing. Made but five miles, and camped + in snow fifteen feet deep." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 17. Traveled five miles." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 18. Traveled eight miles, and camped on the head of the Yuba; on the + pass we suppose the snow to be thirty feet deep." + </p> + <p> + The "pass" was the Summit. Relief was close at hand. Would it find the + emigrants? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hardships of Reed and Herron + Generosity of Captain Sutter + Attempts to Cross the Mountains with Provisions + Curtis' Dog + Compelled to Turn Back + Hostilities with Mexico + Memorial to Gov. Stockton + Yerba Buena's Generosity + Johnson's Liberality + Pitiful Scenes at Donner Lake + Noble Mothers + Dying rather than Eat Human Flesh + A Mother's Prayer + Tears of Joy + Eating the Shoestrings. +</pre> + <p> + James F. Reed encountered the most disheartening trials after leaving the + Donner Party. He and Walter Herron were reduced to the utmost verge of + starvation while on the Sierra Nevada. At one time they discovered five + beans in the road, one after the other, and at another time they ate of + the rancid tallow which was found in a tar bucket under an old wagon. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Reed has told the rest in an article contributed by him to the Rural + Press. It explains so well the difficulties of getting relief to the + emigrants, that it is copied: + </p> + <p> + "When I arrived at Captain Sutter's, making known my situation to him, + asking if he would furnish me horses and saddles to bring the women and + children out of the mountains (I expected to meet them at the head of Bear + Valley by the time I could return there), he at once complied with the + request, also saying that he would do everything possible for me and the + company. On the evening of my arrival at the Captain's, I found Messrs. + Bryant, Lippencott, Grayson, and Jacobs, some of the early voyagers in the + Russel Company, they having left that company at Fort Laramie, most of + them coming on horseback. + </p> + <p> + "During the evening a meeting was held, in which I participated, adopting + a memorial to the commander of Sutter's Fort, to raise one or more + companies of volunteers, to proceed to Los Angeles, we being at war with + Mexico at this time. The companies were to be officered by the + petitioners. Being requested to take command of one of the companies, I + declined, stating that it would be necessary for the captain to stay with + the company; also that I had to return to the mountains for the emigrants, + but that I would take a lieutenancy. This was agreed to, and I was on my + return to the emigrants to enlist all the men I could between there and + Bear Valley. On my way up I enlisted twelve or thirteen. + </p> + <p> + "The second night after my arrival at Captain Sutter's, we had a light + rain; next morning we could see snow on the mountains. The Captain stated + that it was low down and heavy for the first fall of the season. The next + day I started on my return with what horses and saddles Captain Sutter had + to spare. He furnished us all the flour needed, and a hind quarter of + beef, giving us an order for more horses and saddles at Mr. Cordway's, + near where Marysville is located. In the mean time, Mr. McCutchen joined + us, he being prevented from returning with Mr. Stanton on account of + sickness. After leaving Mr. Johnson's ranch we had thirty horses, one + mule, and two Indians to help drive. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing happened until the evening before reaching the head of Bear + Valley, when there commenced a heavy rain and sleet, continuing all night. + We drove on until a late hour before halting. We secured the flour and + horses, the rain preventing us from kindling a fire. Next morning, + proceeding up the valley to where we were to take the mountain, we found a + tent containing a Mr. Curtis and wife. They hailed us as angels sent for + their delivery, stating that they would have perished had it not been for + our arrival. Mrs. Curtis stated that they had killed their dog, and at the + time of our arrival had the last piece in the Dutch oven baking. We told + them not to be alarmed about anything to eat, for we had plenty, both of + flour and beef, and that they were welcome to all they needed. Our + appetites were rather keen, not having eaten anything from the morning + previous. Mr. Curtis remarked that in the oven was a piece of the dog and + we could have it. Raising the lid of the oven, we found the dog well + baked, and having a fine savory smell. I cut out a rib, smelling and + tasting, found it to be good, and handed it over to McCutchen, who, after + smelling it some time, tasted it and pronounced it very good dog. We + partook of Curtis' dog. Mrs. Curtis immediately commenced making bread, + and in a short time had supper for all. + </p> + <p> + "At the lower end of the valley, where we entered, the snow was eighteen + inches in depth, and when we arrived at the tent, it was two feet. Curtis + stated that his oxen had taken the back track, and that he had followed + them by the trail through the snow. In the morning, before leaving, Mrs. + Curtis got us to promise to take them into the settlement when on our + return with the women and children. Before leaving, we gave them flour and + beef sufficient to keep them until our return, expecting to do so in a few + days." + </p> + <p> + "We started, following the trail made by the oxen, and camped a number of + miles up the mountain. In the night, hearing some of the horses going down + the trail, we went to where the Indians had lain down, and found them + gone. McCutchen mounted his horse and rode down to Curtis' camp, and found + that the Indians had been there, stopped and warmed themselves, and then + started down the valley. He returned to camp about the middle of the + night. + </p> + <p> + "Next morning we started, still on the trail of the oxen, but + unfortunately, the trail turned off to the left from our direction. We + proceeded on, the snow deepening rapidly, our horses struggling to get + through; we pushed them on until they would rear upon their hind feet to + breast the snow, and when they would alight they would sink in it until + nothing was seen of them but the nose and a portion of the head. Here we + found that it was utterly impossible to proceed further with the horses. + Leaving them, we proceeded further on foot, thinking that we could get in + to the people, but found that impossible, the snow being soft and deep." + </p> + <p> + "I may here state that neither of us knew anything about snow-shoes, + having always lived in a country where they never were used." + </p> + <p> + "With sorrowful hearts, we arrived that night at the camp of Mr. Curtis, + telling them to make their arrangements for leaving with us in the + morning. Securing our flour in the wagon of Mr. Curtis, so that we could + get it on our return, we packed one horse with articles belonging to Mr. + and Mrs. Curtis, and started down the valley to where the snow was light, + and where there was considerable underbrush, so that our famished animals + could browse, they not having eaten anything for several days." + </p> + <p> + "After packing Mr. Curtis' horse for him the next morning, we started; in + a short time, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis proceeded ahead, leaving the pack-horse + behind for us to drive, instead of his leading him; we having our hands + full in driving the loose ones, they scattering in all directions. The + pack turned on the horse. Mr. Curtis was requested to return and help + repack and lead his horse, but he paid no attention to us. We stood this + for some time; finally, McCutchen became angry, started after him, + determined to bring him back; when he got with him he paid no attention to + McCutchen's request to return; Mac becoming more exasperated, hit him + several times over the shoulders with his riatta. This brought him to his + senses. He said that if Mac would not kill him, he would come back and + take care of the pack animal, and he did." + </p> + <p> + "As soon as we arrived at Captain Sutter's, I made a statement of all the + circumstances attending our attempt to get into the mountains. He was no + way surprised at our defeat. I also gave the Captain the number of head of + cattle the company had when I left them. He made an estimate, and stated + that if the emigrants would kill the cattle, and place the meat in the + snow for preservation, there was no fear of starvation until relief could + reach them. He further stated that there were no able-bodied men in that + vicinity, all having gone down the country with and after Fremont to fight + the Mexicans. He advised me to proceed to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, + and make my case known to the naval officer in command." + </p> + <p> + "I left Captain Sutter's, by the way of San Jose, for San Francisco, being + unable to come by water. When I arrived at San Jose, I found the San + Francisco side of the bay was occupied by the Mexicans. Here I remained, + and was attached to a company of volunteers, commanded by Captain Webber, + until after the fight at Santa Clara." + </p> + <p> + "The road now being clear, I proceeded to San Francisco with a petition + from some of the prominent citizens of San Jose, asking the commander of + the navy to grant aid to enable me to return to the mountains." + </p> + <p> + It is proper, perhaps, to interrupt the narrative in the Rural Press for + the purpose of introducing the memorial referred to by Mr. Reed. The copy + of the original document was recently found among his papers by his + daughter, Patty Reed. + </p> + <p> + "To his Excellency, R. F. Stockton, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, by + sea and land, of the United States Territory of California: We, the + undersigned citizens and residents of the Territory of California, beg + leave respectfully to present to your Excellency the following memorial, + viz.: That, whereas, the last detachment of emigrants from the United + States to California have been unable, from unavoidable causes, to reach + the frontier settlements, and are now in the California mountains, + seventy-five or one hundred miles east from the Sacramento Valley, + surrounded by snow, most probably twenty feet deep, and being about eighty + souls in number, a large proportion of whom are women and children, who + must shortly be in a famishing condition from scarcity of provisions, + therefore, the undersigned most earnestly beseech your Excellency to take + into consideration the propriety of fitting out an expedition to proceed + on snowshoes immediately to the relief of the sufferers. Your memorialists + beg leave to subscribe themselves, very respectfully, yours, etc." + </p> + <p> + "January, 1847." + </p> + <p> + The article in the Rural Press continues: "Arriving at San Francisco, I + presented my petition to Commodore Hull, also making a statement of the + condition of the people in the mountains as far as I knew, the number of + them, and what would be needed in provisions and help to get them out. He + made an estimate of the expense, and said that he would do anything within + reason to further the object, but was afraid that the department at + Washington would not sustain him if he made the general outfit. His + sympathy was that of a man and a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + "I also conferred with several of the citizens of Yerba Buena; their + advice was not to trouble the Commodore further; that they would call a + meeting of the citizens and see what could be done. At the meeting, the + situation of the people was made known, and committees were appointed to + collect money. Over a thousand dollars was raised in the town, and the + sailors of the fleet gave over three hundred dollars. At the meeting, + Midshipman Woodworth volunteered to go into the mountains. Commodore Hull + gave me authority to raise as many men, with horses, as would be required. + The citizens purchased all the supplies necessary for the outfit, and + placed them on board the schooner, for Hardy's Ranch, mouth of Feather + River. Midshipman Woodworth took charge of the schooner, and was the + financial agent of the government." + </p> + <p> + "I left in a boat for Napa by way of Sonoma, to procure men and horses, + and when I arrived at Mr. Gordon's, on Cache Creek, I had all the men and + horses needed. From here I proceeded to the mouth of Feather River for the + purpose of meeting Mr. Woodworth with the provisions. When we reached the + river the boat had not arrived. The water was very high in the river, the + tule lands being overflowed. From here I sent a man to a point on the + Sacramento River opposite Sutter's Fort, to obtain information of the boat + with our provisions; he returned and reported the arrival of the boat at + the Fort." + </p> + <p> + "Before leaving Yerba Buena, news came of a party of fifteen persons + having started from the emigrant encampment, and only seven getting to + Johnson's. I was here placed in a quandary—no boat to take us across + the river, and no provisions for our party to take into the mountains. We + camped a short distance back from the river, where we killed a number of + elk for the purpose of using the skins in covering a skeleton boat. Early + next morning we started for the river, and to our delight saw a small + schooner, belonging to Perry McCan, which had arrived during the night. We + immediately crossed, McCutchen and myself, to the opposite bank of the + river. I directed the men to cross and follow us to Johnson's Ranch. We + arrived there early that day. Making known our situation, he drove his + cattle up to the house, saying, 'There are the cattle, take as many as you + need.' We shot down five head, staid up all night, and with the help of + Mr. Johnson and his Indians, by the time the men arrived the next morning, + we had the meat fire-dried and ready to be placed in bags. Mr. Johnson had + a party of Indians making flour by hand mills, they making, during the + night, nearly two hundred pounds." + </p> + <p> + "We packed up immediately and started. After reaching the snow, the meat + and flour was divided into suitable packs for us to carry, we leaving the + horses here. At Johnson's I learned that a relief party had passed in a + few days previous, being sent by Captain Sutter and Mr. Sinclair." + </p> + <p> + This was the party commanded by Captain Reasin P. Tucker, whose journey + over the mountains as far as the summit was described in the last chapter. + Reed was faithful and energetic in endeavoring to recross the mountains. + Mr. McCutchen, also, did all in his power to reach the wife and baby he + left behind. The snow belt is about four times as wide on the west side of + the summit as it is on the east side. It was almost impossible for relief + parties to cross the mountains. Captain Tucker's party was composed of men + of great nerve and hardihood, yet, as will be seen, the trip was almost as + much as their lives were worth. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the nineteenth of February, 1847, the relief party of + Captain R. P. Tucker began the descent of the gorge leading to Donner + Lake. + </p> + <p> + Let us glance ahead at the picture soon to be unfolded to their gaze. The + mid-winter snows had almost concealed the cabins. The inmates lived + subterranean lives. Steps cut in the icy snow led up from the doorways to + the surface. Deep despair had settled upon all hearts. The dead were lying + all around, some even unburied, and nearly all with only a covering of + snow. So weak and powerless had the emigrants become, that it was hardly + possible for them to lift the dead bodies up the steps out of the cabins. + All were reduced to mere skeletons. They had lived on pieces of rawhide, + or on old, castaway bones, which were boiled or burned until capable of + being eaten. They were so reduced that it seemed as if only a dry, + shriveled skin covered their emaciated frames. The eyes were sunken deep + in their sockets, and had a fierce, ghastly, demoniacal look. The faces + were haggard, woe-begone, and sepulchral. One seldom heard the sound of a + voice, and when heard, it was weak, tremulous, pitiful. Sometimes a child + would moan and sob for a mouthful of food, and the poor, helpless mothers, + with breaking hearts, would have to soothe them, as best they could, with + kind words and tender caresses. Food, there was none. Oh! what words can + fitly frame a tribute for those noble mothers! When strong men gave up, + and passively awaited the delirium of death, the mothers were actively + administering to the wants of the dying, and striving to cheer and comfort + the living. Marble monuments never bore more heroic names than those of + Margaret W. Reed, Lavina Murphy, Elizabeth Graves, Margaret Breen, Tamsen + Donner, and Elizabeth Donner. Their charity, fortitude, and self-sacrifice + failed not in the darkest hour. Death came so often now, that little + notice was taken of his approach, save by these mothers. A dreadful want + of consciousness precedes starvation. The actual death is not so terrible. + The delirious would rave of feasts, and rich viands, and bountiful stores + of food. As the shadows of death more closely enveloped the poor + creatures, the mutterings grew unintelligible, and were interrupted, now + and then, by startled cries of frenzy, which gradually grew fainter, until + the victims finally slumbered. From this slumber there was no awakening. + The breathing became feebler and more irregular, and finally ceased. It + was not so terrible to the unconscious dying, as to the weeping mother who + watched by the sufferer's side. + </p> + <p> + It was always dark and gloomy enough in the snow-covered cabins, but + during the fierce, wild storms, the desolation became almost unendurable. + The rushing gale, the furious storm, the lashing of storm-rent pine + boughs, or the crash of giant trees overthrown by the hurricane, filled + the souls of the imprisoned emigrants with nameless dread. Sometimes the + silent darkness of the night would shudder with the howl of the great gray + wolves which in those days infested the mountains. Too well did they know + that these gaunt beasts were howling for the bodies of the living as well + as of the dead. + </p> + <p> + Wood grew plentifully at short distances from the cabins, but for these + weak, starving creatures to obtain it was a herculean task. To go out when + the storms were raging, would be almost impossible for a well, strong man. + To struggle through the deep, loose drifts, reaching frequently to the + waist, required, at any time, fearful exertion. The numb, fleshless + fingers could hardly guide, or even wield the ax. Near the site of the + Breen cabin, to-day, stands a silent witness of the almost superhuman + exertions that were made to procure fuel. On the side of a pine tree are + old seams and gashes, which, by their irregular position, were evidently + made by hands too weak to cut down a tree. Hundreds of blows, however, + were struck, and the marks of the ax-blade extend up and down the side of + the tree for a foot and a half. Bark seared with age has partly covered + portions of the cuts, but in one place the incision is some inches deep. + At the foot of this pine was found a short, decayed ax-handle, and a + broad-bladed, old-fashioned ax-head. The mute story of these witnesses is + unmistakable. The poor starved being who undertook the task, never + succeeded. + </p> + <p> + Trees felled, frequently buried themselves out of sight in the loose snow, + or at best, only the uppermost branches could be obtained. Without fire, + without food, without proper shelter from the dampness occasioned by the + melting snows, in the bitter, biting wintry weather, the men, women, and + children were huddled together, the living and the dead. When Milton + Elliott died, there were no men to assist in removing the body from the + deep pit. Mrs. Reed and her daughter, Virginia, bravely undertook the + task. Tugging, pushing, lifting as best they could, the corpse was raised + up the icy steps. He died in the Murphy cabin by the rock. A few days + before he died, he crawled over to the Breen cabin, where were Mrs. Reed + and her children. For years he had been one of the members of this family, + he worked for Mr. Reed in the mill and furniture establishment owned by + the latter in Jamestown, Illinois. He drove the same yoke of oxen, "Bully" + and "George," who were the wheel-oxen of Reed's family team on the plains. + When Mr. Reed proposed crossing the plains, his wife and children refused + to go, unless Milt. could be induced to drive. He was a kind, careful man, + and after Mr. Reed had been driven away from the company, Elliott always + provided for them as best he was able. Now that he was going to die, he + wanted to see "Ma" and the children once more. "Ma" was the term he always + used in addressing Mrs. Reed. None realized better than he the sorrowful + position in which she was placed by having no husband upon whom to lean in + this time of great need. Poor Elliott! he knew that he was starving! + starving! "Ma, I am not going to starve to death, I am going to eat of the + bodies of the dead." This is what he told Mrs. Reed, yet when he attempted + to do so, his heart revolted at the thought. Mrs. Reed accompanied him a + portion of the way back to the Murphy cabin, and before leaving him, knelt + on the snow and prayed as only a mother can, that the Good Father would + help them in this hour of distress. It was a starving Christian mother + praying that relief might come to her starving children, and especially to + this, her starving boy. From the granite rocks, the solemn forests, and + the snow-mantled mountains of Donner Lake, a more fervent prayer never + ascended heavenward. Could Elliott have heard, in his dying moments, that + this prayer was soon to be answered, so far as Mrs. Reed and her little + ones were concerned, he would have welcomed death joyfully. + </p> + <p> + As time wore wearily on, another and more severe trial awaited Mrs. Reed. + Her daughter Virginia was dying. The innutritious rawhide was not + sufficient to sustain life in the poor, famished body of the delicate + child. Indeed, toward the last, her system became so debilitated that she + found it impossible to eat the loathsome, glue-like preparation which + formed their only food. Silently she had endured her sufferings, until she + was at the very portals of death. This beautiful girl was a great favorite + of Mrs. Breen's. Oftentimes during the days of horror and despair, this + good Irish mother had managed, unobserved, to slip an extra piece of meat + or morsel of food to Virginia. Mrs. Breen was the first to discover that + the mark of death was visible upon the girl's brow. In order to break the + news to Mrs. Reed, without giving those in the cabin a shock which might + prove fatal, Mrs. Breen asked the mother up out of the cabin on the crisp, + white snow. + </p> + <p> + It was the evening of the nineteenth of February, 1847. The sun was + setting, and his rays, in long, lance-like lines, sifted through the + darkening forests. Far to the eastward, the summits of the Washoe + mountains lay bathed in golden sunlight, while the deep gorges at their + feet were purpling into night. The gentle breeze which crept over the + bosom of the ice-bound lake, softly wafted from the tree-tops a muffled + dirge for the dying girl. Ere another day dawned over the expanse of snow, + her spirit would pass to a haven of peace where the demons of famine could + never enter. + </p> + <p> + In the desolate cabin, all was silence. Living under the snow, passing an + underground life, as it were, seldom visiting each other, or leaving the + cabins, these poor prisoners learned to listen rather than look for + relief. During the first days they watched hour after hour the upper end + of the lake where the "fifteen" had disappeared. With aching eyes and + weary hearts, they always turned back to their subterranean abodes + disappointed. Hope finally deserted the strongest hearts. The brave + mothers had constantly encouraged the despondent by speaking of the + promised relief, yet this was prompted more by the necessities of the + situation than from any belief that help would arrive. It was human + nature, however, to glance toward the towering summits whenever they + ascended to the surface of the snow, and to listen at all times for an + unfamiliar sound or footstep. So delicate became their sense of hearing, + that every noise of the wind, every visitor's tread, every sound that + ordinarily occurred above their heads, was known and instantly detected. + </p> + <p> + On this evening, as the two women were sobbing despairingly upon the snow, + the silence of the twilight was broken by a shout from near Donner Lake! + In an instant every person forgot weakness and infirmity, and clambered up + the stairway! It was a strange voice, and in the distance the discovered + strange forms approaching. The Reed and the Breen children thought, at + first, that it was a band of Indians, but Patrick Breen, the good old + father, soon declared that the strangers were white men. Captain Tucker + and his men had found the wide expanse of snow covering forest and lake, + and had shouted to attract attention, if any of the emigrants yet + survived. Oh! what joy! There were tears in other eyes than those of the + little children. The strong men of the relief party sat down on the snow + and wept with the rest. It is related of one or two mothers, and can + readily be believed, that their first act was to fall upon their knees, + and with faces turned to God, to pour out their gratitude to Him for + having brought assistance to their dying children. Virginia Reed did not + die. + </p> + <p> + Captain Reasin P. Tucker, who had been acquainted with the Graves family + on the plains before the Donner Party took the Hastings Cut-off, was + anxious to meet them. They lived in the lower cabin, half a mile further + down Donner Creek. When he came close enough to observe the smoke issuing + from the hole in the snow which marked their abode, he shouted, as he had + done at the upper cabins. The effect was as electrical as in the former + instance. All came up to the surface, and the same unrestrained gladness + was manifested by the famished prisoners. Famished they were. Mrs. Graves + is especially praised by the survivors for her unstinted charity. Instead + of selfishly hoarding her stores and feeding only her own children, she + was generous to a fault, and no person ever asked at her door for food who + did not receive as good as she and her little ones had to eat. + </p> + <p> + Dear Mrs. Graves! How earnestly she asked about her husband and daughters! + Did all reach the valley? Captain Tucker felt his heart rise in his + throat. How could he tell this weak, starved woman of the terrible fate + which had be fallen her husband and her son-in-law! He could not! He + answered with assumed cheerfulness in the affirmative. So, too, they + deceived Mrs. Murphy regarding her dear boy Lemuel. It was best. Had the + dreadful truth been told, not one of all this company would ever have had + courage to attempt the dangerous journey. + </p> + <p> + Little sleep was there in the Donner cabins that night. The relief party + were to start back in a couple of days, and such as were strong enough + were to accompany them. Mrs. Graves had four little children, and told her + son William C. Graves that he must remain with her to cut wood to keep the + little ones from freezing. But William was anxious to go and help send + back provisions to his mother. So earnestly did he work during the next + two days, that he had two cords of wood piled up near the cabin. This was + to last until he could return. His task was less difficult because this + cabin was built in a dense grove of tamarack. + </p> + <p> + Food had been given in small quantities to the sufferers. Many of the + snow-bound prisoners were so near death's door that a hearty meal would + have proven fatal. The remnant of provisions brought by the relief party + was carefully guarded lest some of the famished wretches should obtain + more than was allotted them. This was rendered easier from the fact that + the members of the relief party were unable to endure the scenes of misery + and destitution in the cabins, and so camped outside upon the snow. So + hungry were the poor people that some of them ate the strings of the + snowshoes which part of the relief company had brought along. + </p> + <p> + On the twentieth of February, John Rhodes, R. S. Mootry, and R. P. Tucker + visited the Donner tents on Alder Creek, seven miles from the cabins. Only + one ox-hide remained to these destitute beings. Here, as well as at the + cabins, the all-important question was, who should go with the relief + party and who remain. In each family there were little children who could + not go unless carried. Few of the Donner Party had more than enough + strength to travel unencumbered across the deep snows. Should a storm + occur on, the mountains, it was doubtful if even the members of the relief + party could escape death. It was hopefully urged that other relief parties + would soon arrive from California, and that these would bring over those + who remained. In determining who should go and who stay, examples of + heroism and devotion were furnished which were never surpassed in the + history of man. Could their vision have penetrated the veil which + interposed between them and the sad occurrences about to ensue, they would + have known that almost every family, whose members separated, was bidding + good-by to some member forever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Wife's Devotion + Tamsen Donner's Early Life + The Early Settlers of Sangamon County + An Incident in School + Teaching and Knitting + School Discipline + Captain George Donner's Appearance + Parting Scenes at Alder Creek + Starting over the Mountains + A Baby's Death + A Mason's Vow + Crossing the Snow Barrier + More Precious than Gold or Diamonds + Elitha Donner's Kindness. +</pre> + <p> + Mrs. Tamsen Donner was well and comparatively strong, and could easily + have crossed the mountains in safety with this party. Her husband, + however, was suffering from a serious swelling on one of his hands. Some + time before reaching the mountains he had accidentally hurt this hand + while handling a wagon. After encamping at Alder Creek he was anxious to + assist in the arrangements and preparations for winter, and while thus + working the old wound reopened. Taking cold in the hand, it became greatly + swollen and inflamed, and he was rendered entirely helpless. Mrs. Donner + was urged to go with the relief party, but resolutely determined to heed + the promptings of wifely devotion and remain by her husband. + </p> + <p> + No one will ever read the history of the Donner Party without greatly + loving and reverencing the character of this faithful wife. The saddest, + most tear-stained page of the tragedy, relates to her life and death in + the mountains. A better acquaintance with the Donner family, and + especially with Mrs. Tamsen Donner, can not fail to be desirable in view + of succeeding chapters. Thanks to Mr. Allen Francis, the present United + States Consul at Victoria, British Columbia, very complete, authentic, and + interesting information upon this subject has been furnished. Mr. Francis + was publisher of the Springfield (Illinois) Journal in 1846, and a warm + personal friend of the family. + </p> + <p> + The Donners were among the first settlers of Sangamon County, Ill. They + were North Carolinians, immigrants to Kentucky in 1818, subsequently to + the State of Indiana, and from thence to what was known as the Sangamon + Country, in the year 1828. + </p> + <p> + George Donner, at the time of leaving Springfield, Ill., was a large, + fine-looking man, fully six feet in height, with merry black eyes, and the + blackest of hair, lined with an occasional silver thread. He possessed a + cheerful disposition, an easy temperament, industrious habits, sound + judgment, and much general information. By his associates and neighbors he + was called "Uncle George." To him they went for instructions relating to + the management of their farms, and usually they returned feeling they had + been properly advised. Twice had death bequeathed him a group of + motherless children, and Tamsen was his third wife. + </p> + <p> + Her parents, William and Tamsen Eustis, were respected and well to do + residents of Newburyport, Mass., where she was born in November, 1801. Her + love of books made her a student at an early age; almost as soon as the + baby-dimples left her cheeks, she sought the school-room, which afforded + her great enjoyment. Her mother's death occurred before she attained her + seventh year, and for a time her childish hopes and desires were + overshadowed with sadness by this, her first real sorrow. But the sympathy + of friends soothed her grief, and her thirst for knowledge led her back to + the schoolroom, where she pursued her studies with greater eagerness than + before. + </p> + <p> + Her father married again, and little Tamsen's life was rendered happier by + this event; for in her step-mother she found a friend who tenderly + directed her thoughts and encouraged her work. At fifteen years of age she + finished the course of study, and her proficiency in mathematics, + geometry, philosophy, etc., called forth the highest praise of her + teachers and learned friends. She, like many daughters of New England, + felt that talents are intrusted to be used, and that each life is created + for some definite purpose. She therefore resolved to devote herself to the + instruction of the young, and after teaching at Newburyport for a short + time, she accepted a call to fill a vacancy in the academy at Elizabeth + City, N. C., where she continued an earnest and appreciated teacher for a + number of years. She became a fluent French scholar while at that + institution, and her leisure hours were devoted to the fine arts. Her + paintings and drawings were much admired for their correctness in outline, + subdued coloring, and delicacy in shading. + </p> + <p> + In Elizabeth City she met Mr. Dozier, a young man of education and good + family, and they were married. He was not a man of means, but her + forethought enabled them to live comfortably. For a few brief years she + enjoyed all the happiness which wedded bliss and maternal love could + confer, then death came, and in a few short weeks her husband and two + babes were snatched from her arms. In her desolation and bereavement she + thought of her old home, and longed for the sympathy of her childhood's + friends. She returned to Newburyport, where she spent three years in + retirement and rest. In 1836, she received a letter from her brother in + Illinois, urging her to come to his afflicted household, and teach his + motherless children. She remained with them one winter, but her field of + action had been too wide to permit her to settle quietly on a farm. + Besides, she had heard much of the manner in which country schools were + conducted, and became desirous of testing her ability in controlling and + teaching such a school. She obtained one in Auburn, and soon became the + friend of her pupils. All agreed that Mrs. Dozier was a faithful teacher + until the following little incident occurred. The worthy Board of School + Trustees heard that Mrs. Dozier was in the habit of knitting during school + hours. "Surely, she could not knit and instruct her pupils properly; + therefore, she must either give up her knitting or her school." When Mrs. + Dozier heard their resolution, she smiled, and said: "Before those + gentlemen deny my ability to impart knowledge and work with my fingers at + the same time, I would like them to visit my school, and judge me by the + result of their observation." + </p> + <p> + A knock at the school-room door, a week later, startled the children, and + a committee of trustees entered. Mrs. Dozier received them in the most + ladylike manner, and after they were seated, she called each class at its + appointed time. The recitations were heard, and lessons explained, yet no + one seemed disturbed by the faint, but regular, click of knitting needles. + For hours those gentlemen sat in silence, deeply interested in all that + transpired. When the time for closing school arrived, the teacher invited + the trustees to address her pupils, after which she dismissed school, + thanked her visitor for their kind attention, and went home without + learning their opinion. + </p> + <p> + The next morning she was informed that the Board of Trustees had met the + previous evening, and after hearing the report of the visiting committee, + had unanimously agreed that Mrs. Dozier might continue her school and her + knitting also. This little triumph was much enjoyed by her friends. + </p> + <p> + The following year she was urged to take the school on Sugar Creek, where + the children were older and further advanced than those at Auburn. Her + connection with this school marked a new era for many of its attendants. + Mr. J. Miller used to relate an incident which occurred a few days after + she took charge of those unruly boys who had been in the habit of managing + the teacher and school to suit themselves. "I will never forget," said Mr. + Miller, "how Mrs. Dozier took her place at the table that morning, tapped + for order, and in a kind, but firm, tone said: 'Young gentlemen and young + ladies, as a teacher only, I can not criticise the propriety of your + writing notes to each other when out of school; but as your teacher, with + full authority in school, I desire and request you neither to write nor + send notes to any one during school hours. I was surprised at your conduct + yesterday, and should my wish be disregarded in the future, will be + obliged to chastise the offender.' She called the first class, and school + began in earnest. I looked at her quiet face and diminutive form, and + thought how easy it would be for me to pick up two or three such little + bodies as she, and set them outside of the door! I wrote a note and threw + it to the pupil in front of me, just to try Mrs. Dozier. When the + recitation was finished, she stepped to the side of her table, and looked + at me with such a grieved expression on her face, then said: 'Mr. Miller, + I regret that my eldest scholar should be the first to violate my rule. + Please step forward.' I quailed beneath her eye. I marched up to where she + stood. The stillness of that room was oppressive. I held out my hand at + the demand of that little woman, and took the punishment I deserved, and + returned to my seat deeply humiliated, but fully determined to behave + myself in the future, and make the other boys do likewise. Well, she had + no more trouble while she was our teacher. Her pluck had won our + admiration, and her quiet dignity held our respect, and we soon ceased + wondering at the ease with which she overturned our plans and made us + eager to adopt hers; for no teacher ever taught on Sugar Creek who won the + affections or ruled pupils more easily or happily than she. We were + expected to come right up to the mark; but if we got into trouble, she was + always ready to help us out, and could do it in the quietest way + imaginable." + </p> + <p> + She taught several young men the art of surveying, and had a wonderful + faculty of interesting her pupils in the study of botany. She sought by + creek and over plain for specimens with which to illustrate their lessons. + It was while engaged in this place that Mrs. Dozier met George Donner, who + at that time resided about two and a half miles from Springfield field. + Their acquaintance resulted in marriage. Her pupils always called her + their "little teacher," for she was but five feet in height, and her usual + weight ninety-six pounds. She had grayish-blue eyes, brown hair, and a + face full of character and intelligence. She was gifted with fine + conversational powers, and was an excellent reader. Her voice would hold + in perfect silence, for hours, the circle of neighbors and friends who + would assemble during the long winter evenings to hear her read. Even + those who did not fail to criticise her ignorance of farm and dairy work, + were often charmed by her voice and absence of display; for while her + dress was always of rich material, it was remarkable for its Quaker + simplicity. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Francis says: "Mrs. George Donner was a perfect type of an eastern + lady, kind, sociable, and exemplary, ever ready to assist neighbors, and + even the stranger in distress. Whenever she could spare time, she wielded + a ready pen on various topics. She frequently contributed gems in prose + and poetry to the columns of the journal, that awakened an interest among + its readers to know their author. Herself and husband were faithful + members of the German Prairie Christian Church, situated a little north of + their residence. Here they lived happily, and highly respected by all who + knew them, until the spring of 1846, when they started for California." + </p> + <p> + Having said this much of the Donners, and especially of the noble woman + who refused to leave her suffering husband, let us glance at the parting + scenes at Alder Creek. It had been determined that the two eldest + daughters of George Donner should accompany Captain Tucker's party. George + Donner, Jr., and William Hook, two of Jacob Donner's Sons, Mrs. Wolfinger, + and Noah James were also to join the company. This made six from the + Donner tents. Mrs. Elizabeth Donner was quite able to have crossed the + mountains, but preferred to remain with her two little children, Lewis and + Samuel, until another and larger relief party should arrive. These two + boys were not large enough to walk, Mrs. Donner was not strong enough to + carry them, and the members of Captain Tucker's party had already agreed + to take as many little ones as they could carry. + </p> + <p> + Leanna C. Donner, now Mrs. John App, of Jamestown, Tuolumne County, Cal., + gives a vivid description of the trip from George Donner's tent to the + cabins at Donner Lake Miss Rebecca E. App, acting as her mother's + amanuensis, writes: + </p> + <p> + "Mother says: Never shall I forget the day when my sister Elitha and + myself left our tent. Elitha was strong and in good health, while I was so + poor and emaciated that I could scarcely walk. All we took with us were + the clothes on our backs and one thin blanket, fastened with a string + around our necks, answering the purpose of a shawl in the day-time, and + which was all we had to cover us at night. We started early in the + morning, and many a good cry I had before we reached the cabins, a + distance of about eight miles. Many a time I sat down in the snow to die, + and would have perished there if my sister had not urged me on, saying, + 'The cabins are just over the hill.' Passing over the hill, and not seeing + the cabins, I would give up, again sit down and have another cry, but my + sister continued to help and encourage me until I saw the smoke rising + from the cabins; then I took courage, and moved along as fast as I could. + When we reached the Graves cabin it was all I could do to step down the + snow-steps into the cabin. Such pain and misery as I endured that day is + beyond description." + </p> + <p> + In Patrick Breen's diary are found the following entries, which allude to + Captain Tucker's relief party: + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 19. Froze hard last night. Seven men arrived from California + yesterday with provisions, but left the greater part on the way. To-day it + is clear and warm for this region; some of the men have gone to Donner's + camp; they will start back on Monday." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 22. The Californians started this morning, twenty-three in number, + some in a very weak state. Mrs. Keseberg started with them, and left + Keseberg here, unable to go. Buried Pike's child this morning in the snow; + died two days ago." + </p> + <p> + Poor little Catherine Pike lingered until this time! It will be remembered + that this little nursing babe had nothing to eat except a little coarse + flour mixed in snow water. Its mother crossed the mountains with the + "Forlorn Hope," and from the sixteenth of December to the twentieth of + February it lived upon the miserable gruel made from unbolted flour. How + it makes the heart ache to think of this little sufferer, wasting away, + moaning with hunger, and sobbing for something to eat. The teaspoonful of + snow water would contain only a few particles of the flour, yet how + eagerly the dying child would reach for the pitiful food. The tiny hands + grew thinner, the sad, pleading eyes sank deeper in their fleshless + sockets, the face became hollow, and the wee voice became fainter, yet, + day after day, little Catherine Pike continued to breathe, up to the very + arrival of the relief party. + </p> + <p> + Patrick Breen says twenty-three started across the mountains. Their names + were: Mrs. Margaret W. Reed and her children—Virginia E. Reed, Patty + Reed, Thomas Reed, and James F. Reed, Jr.; Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. + Donner, Wm. Hook, and George Donner, Jr.; Wm. G. Murphy, Mary M. Murphy, + and Naomi L. Pike; Wm. C. Graves, Eleanor Graves, and Lovina Graves; Mrs. + Phillipine Keseberg, and Ada Keseberg; Edward J. and Simon P. Breen, Eliza + Williams, John Denton, Noah James, and Mrs. Wolfinger. + </p> + <p> + In starting from the camps at Donner Lake, Mrs. Keseberg's child and Naomi + L. Pike were carried by the relief party. In a beautiful letter received + from Naomi L. Pike (now Mrs. Schenck, of the Dalles, Oregon), she says: "I + owe my life to the kind heart of John Rhodes, whose sympathies were + aroused for my mother. He felt that she was deserving of some relic of all + she had left behind when she started with the first party in search of + relief, and he carried me to her in a blanket." We have before spoken of + this noble man's bravery in bearing the news of the condition of the + "Forlorn Hope" and of the Donner Party to Sutter's Fort. Here we find him + again exhibiting the nobility of his nature by saving this little girl + from starvation by carrying her on his back over forty miles of wintry + snow. + </p> + <p> + Before the party had proceeded two miles, a most sad occurrence took + place. It became evident that Patty and Thomas Reed were unable to stand + the fatigue of the journey. Already they exhibited signs of great weakness + and weariness, and it was not safe to allow them to proceed. Mr. Aquila + Glover informed Mrs. Reed that it was necessary that these two children go + back. Who can portray the emotions of this fond mother? What power of + language can indicate the struggle which took place in the minds of this + stricken family? Mr. Glover promised to return as soon as he arrived at + Bear Valley, and himself bring Patty and Thomas over the mountains. This + promise, however, was but a slight consolation for the agonized mother or + weeping children, until finally a hopeful thought occurred to Mrs. Reed. + She turned suddenly to Mr. Glover, and asked, "Are you a Mason?" He + replied, "I am." "Do you promise me," she said, "upon the word of a Mason, + that when you arrive at Bear Valley, you will come back and get my + children?" Mr. Glover made the promise, and the children were by him taken + back to the cabins. The mother had remembered, in this gloomiest moment of + life, that the father of her little ones was a Mason, and that he deeply + reverenced the order. If her children must be left behind in the terrible + snows, she would trust the promise of this Mason to return and save them. + It was a beautiful trust in a secret order by a Mason's wife in deep + distress. + </p> + <p> + Rebecca E. App, writing for her mother, gives a vivid description of this + journey across the summits, from which is taken the following brief + extract: + </p> + <p> + "It was a bright Sunday morning when we left the cabins. Some were in good + health, while others were so poor and emaciated that they could scarcely + walk. I was one of the weakest in the party, and not one in the train + thought I would get to the top of the first hill. We were a sad spectacle + to look upon as we left the cabins. We marched along in single file, the + leader wearing snow-shoes, and the others following after, all stepping in + the leader's tracks. I think my sister and myself were about the rear of + the train, as the strongest were put in front. My sister Elitha and I were + alone with strangers, as it were, having neither father, mother, nor + brothers, to give us a helping hand or a word of courage to cheer us + onward. We were placed on short allowance of food from the start, and each + day this allowance was cut shorter and shorter, until we received each for + our evening and morning meal two small pieces of jerked beef, about the + size of the index finger of the hand. Finally, the last ration was issued + in the evening. This was intended for that evening and the next morning, + but I was so famished I could not resist the temptation to eat all I had—the + two meals at one time. Next morning, of course, I had nothing for + breakfast. Now occurred an incident which I shall never forget. While I + sat looking at the others eating their morsels of meat, which were more + precious than gold or diamonds, my sister saw my distress, and divided her + piece with me. How long we went without food after that, I do not know. I + think we were near the first station." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Death of Ada Keseberg + Denton Discovering Gold + A Poem Composed While Dying + The Caches of Provisions Robbed by Fishers + The Sequel to the Reed-Snyder Tragedy + Death from Over-eating + The Agony of Frozen Feet + An Interrupted Prayer + Stanton, after Death, Guides the Relief Party + The Second Relief Party Arrives + A Solitary Indian + Patty Reed and her Father + Starving Children Lying in Bed + Mrs. Graves' Money Still Buried at Donner Lake. +</pre> + <p> + Peasin P. Tucker's relief party had twenty-one emigrants with them after + Patty and Thomas Reed returned to the desolate cabins. On the evening of + the first day, one of the twenty-one died. It was the baby child of Lewis + Keseberg. The mother had fairly worshiped her girl. They buried the little + one in the snow. It was all they could do for the pallid form of the + starved little girl. Mrs. Keseberg was heart-broken over her baby's death. + At the very outset she had offered everything she possessed—twenty-five + dollars and a gold watch-to any one who would carry her child over the + mountains. After the starved band resumed their weary march next morning, + it is doubtful if many thought of the niche hollowed out of the white + snow, or of the pulseless heart laid therein. Death had become fearfully + common, and his victims were little heeded by the perishing company. The + young German mother, however, was inconsolable. Her only boy had starved + to death at the cabins, and now she was childless. + </p> + <p> + The next day the company reached Summit Valley. An incident of this day's + travel illustrates the exhausted condition of the members of the Donner + Party. John Denton, an Englishman, was missed when camp was pitched, and + John Rhodes returned and found him fast asleep upon the snow. He had + become so weary that he yielded to a slumber that would soon have proven + fatal. With much labor and exertion he was aroused and brought to camp. + Denton appreciated the kindness, but at the same time declared that it + would be impossible for him to travel another day. Sure enough, after + journeying a little way on the following morning, his strength utterly + gave way. His companions built a fire for him, gave him such food as they + were able, and at his earnest request continued their sorrowful march. If + another relief came soon, he would, perhaps, be rescued. Denton was well + educated and of good family, was a gunsmith by trade, and was skilled in + metals. It is related, that while in the Reed cabin, he discovered in the + earth, ashes, and burnt stones in the fireplace, some small pieces of + yellowish metal, which he declared to be gold. These he made into a small + lump, which he carefully preserved until he left the lake, and it was + doubtless lost on the mountains at his death. This was in the spring of + 1847, before the discovery of gold in California. The strange little + metallic lump was exhibited to several who are yet living, and who think + there is reason for believing it was really gold. A few years before the + construction of the Central Pacific, Knoxville, about ten miles south of + Donner Lake, and Elizabethtown, some six miles from Truckee, were famous + mining camps. Gold never has been found on the very shore of Donner Lake, + but should the discovery be made, and especially should gold be found in + the rocks or earth near the Reed cabin, there would be reason to believe + that this poor unfortunate man was in reality the first discoverer of the + precious metal in California. Left alone in the snow-mantled forests of + the Sierra, what were this man's emotions? In the California Star of 1847, + a bound volume of which is in the State Library in Sacramento, appears the + following poem. The second relief party found it written on the leaf of a + memorandum book by the side of Denton's lifeless body. The pencil with + which it was written lay also by the side of the unfortunate man. Ere the + lethargy of death stole away his senses, John Denton's thoughts had been + of his boyhood's beautiful home in merry England. These thoughts were + woven into verse. Are they not strangely pathetic and beautiful? Judge + Thornton, in 1849, published them with the following prefatory words: + "When the circumstances are considered in connection with the calamities + in which the unhappy Denton was involved, the whole compass of American + and English poetry may be challenged to furnish a more exquisitely + beautiful, a more touching and pathetic piece. Simple and intimate to the + last degree, yet coming from the heart, it goes to the heart. Its lines + are the last plaintive notes which wintry winds have wakened from an + Lolian harp, the strings of which rude hands have sundered. Bring before + your mind the picture of an amiable young man who has wandered far from + the paternal roof, is stricken by famine, and left by his almost equally + unhappy companions to perish among the terrible snows of the great Sierra + Nevada. He knows that his last, most solemn hour is near. Reason still + maintains her empire, and memory, faithful to the last, performs her + functions. On every side extends a boundless waste of trackless snow. He + reclines against a bank of it, to rise no more, and busy memory brings + before him a thousand images of past beauty and pleasure, and of scenes he + will never revisit. A mother's image presents itself to his mind, tender + recollections crowd upon his heart, and the scenes of his boyhood and + youth pass in review before him with an unwonted vividness. The hymns of + praise and thanksgiving that in harmony swelled from the domestic circle + around the family altar are remembered, and soothe the sorrows of the + dying man, and finally, just before he expires, he writes:" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh! after many roving years, + How sweet it is to come + Back to the dwelling-place of youth, + Our first and dearest home; + To turn away our wearied eyes + From proud ambition's towers, + And wander in those summer fields, + The scenes of boyhood's hours." + + "But I am changed since last I gazed + Upon that tranquil scene, + And sat beneath the old witch elm + That shades the village green; + And watched my boat upon the brook + It was a regal galley + And sighed not for a joy on earth, + Beyond the happy valley." + + "I wish I could once more recall + That bright and blissful joy, + And summon to my weary heart— + The feelings of a boy. + But now on scenes of past delight + I look, and feel no pleasure, + As misers on the bed of death + Gaze coldly on their treasure." +</pre> + <p> + When Captain Tucker's relief party were going to Donner Lake, they left a + portion of their provisions in Summit Valley, tied up in a tree. They had + found these provisions difficult to carry, and besides, it was best to + have something provided for their return, in case the famished emigrants + ate all they carried over the summit. It was indeed true that all was + eaten which they carried over. All the scanty allowances were, one after + another, consumed. When the relief party, and those they were rescuing, + reached the place where the provisions had been cached, they were in great + need of the reserve store which they expected to find. To their horror and + dismay, they found that wild animals had gnawed the ropes by which the + cache had been suspended, and had destroyed every vestige of these + provisions! Death stared them in the face, and the strongest men trembled + at the prospect. + </p> + <p> + Here comes the sequel to the Reed-Snyder tragedy. Had it not been for + Reed's banishment, there is every reason to believe that these people + would have died for want of food. It will be remembered, however, that the + relief party organized by Reed was only a few days behind Captain + Tucker's. On the twenty-seventh of February, just as the horror and + despair of their dreadful situation began to be realized, Tucker, and + those with him, were relieved by the second relief party. + </p> + <p> + In order to better understand these events, let us return and follow the + motions of Reed and the members of the second relief party. In the article + quoted in a former chapter from the Rural Press, Reed traced their + progress as far as Johnson's ranch. Patty Reed (Mrs. Frank Lewis) has in + her possession the original diary kept by her father during this journey. + This diary shows that on the very morning Capt. Tucker, and the company + with him, left Donner Lake to return to the valleys, Reed and the second + relief party started from Johnson's ranch to go to Donner Lake. All that + subsequently occurred, is briefly and pointedly narrated in the diary. + </p> + <p> + "February 22, 1847. All last night I kept fire under the beef which I had + drying on the scaffolds, and Johnson's Indians were grinding flour in a + small hand-mill. By sunrise this morning I had about two hundred pounds of + beef dried and placed in bags. We packed our horses and started with our + supplies. Including the meat Greenwood had dried, we had seven hundred + pounds of flour, and five beeves. Mr. Greenwood had three men, including + himself. Traveled this day about ten miles." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 23. Left camp early this morning, and pushed ahead, but camped early + on account of grass. To-morrow we will reach the snow." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 24. Encamped at Mule Springs this evening. Made arrangements to take + to the snow in the morning, having left in camp our saddles, bridles, + etc." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 25. Started with eleven horses and mules lightly packed, each having + about eighty pounds. Traveled two miles, and left one mule and his pack. + Made to-day, with hard labor for the horses, in the snow, about six miles. + Our start was late." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 26. Left our encampment, Cady thinking the snow would bear the + horses. Proceeded two hundred yards with difficulty, when we were + compelled to unpack the horses and take the provisions on our backs. + Usually the men had kept in the best of spirits, but here, for a few + moments, there was silence. When the packs were ready to be strung upon + their backs, however, the hilarity and good feeling again commenced. Made + the head of Bear Valley, a distance of fifteen miles. We met in the + valley, about three miles below the camp, Messrs. Glover and Rhodes, + belonging to the party that went to the lake. They informed me they had + started with twenty-one persons, two of whom had died, John Denton, of + Springfield, Ill., and a child of Mr. and Mrs. Keseberg. Mr. Glover sent + two men back to the party with fresh provisions. They are in a starving + condition, and all have nearly given out. I have lightened our packs with + a sufficient quantity of provisions to do the people when they shall + arrive at this place. + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 27. I sent back two men to our camp of night before last, to bring + forward provisions. They will return to-morrow. I also left one man to + prepare for the people who were expected today. Left camp on a fine, hard + snow, and proceeded about four miles, when we met the poor, unfortunate, + starved people. As I met them scattered along the snowtrail, I distributed + some bread that I had baked last night. I gave in small quantities to + each. Here I met my wife and two of my little children. Two of my children + are still in the mountains. I can not describe the deathlike look all + these people had. 'Bread!' 'Bread!' 'Bread!' 'Bread!' was the begging cry + of every child and grown person. I gave all I dared to them, and set out + for the scene of desolation at the lake. I am now camped within + twenty-five miles of the place, which I hope to reach by traveling + to-night and tomorrow. We had to camp early this evening, on account of + the softness of the snow, the men sinking in to their waists, The party + who passed us to-day were overjoyed when we told them there was plenty of + provision at camp. I made a cache, to-day, after we had traveled about + twelve miles, and encamped three miles further eastward, on the Yuba. Snow + about fifteen feet deep." + </p> + <p> + The meeting between Reed and his family can better be imagined than + described. For months they had been separated. While the father was + battling with fate in endeavoring to reach California and return with + assistance, the mother had been using every exertion to obtain food for + her starving children. Now they met in the mountains, in the deep snows, + amid pathless forests, at a time when the mother and children, and all + with them, were out of provisions and ready to perish. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the first relief; with their little company, now reduced to + nineteen, passed forward toward the settlements. At Bear Valley, another + cache of provisions had been made, and this was found unmolested. Camping + at this place, the utmost precaution was taken to prevent the poor starved + people from overeating. After a sufficient quantity of food had been + distributed, the remainder of the provisions was hung up in a tree. Of + course, the small portion distributed to each did not satisfy the cravings + of hunger. Some time during the night, Wm. Hook quietly crept to the tree, + climbed up to the food, and ate until his hunger was appeased. Poor boy, + it was a fatal act. Toward morning it was discovered that he was dying. + All that the company could do to relieve his sufferings was done, but it + was of no avail. Finding that the poor boy was past relief; most of the + emigrants moved on toward the settlements. Wm. G. Murphy's feet had been + badly frozen, and he was suffering such excruciating agony that he could + not travel and keep up with the others. At his request, his sister Mary + had cut his shoes open, in order to get them off; and his feet thereupon + swelled up as if they had been scalded. Because he could not walk, the + company left him with William Hook. A camp-keeper also remained. This + boy's death is thus described by Mr. Murphy, who writes: + </p> + <p> + "William Hook went out on the snow and rested on his knees and elbows. The + camp-keeper called to him to come in. He then told me to make him come + into camp. I went and put my hand on him, speaking his name, and he fell + over, being already dead. He did not die in great agony, as is usually + alleged. No groan, nor signs of dying, were manifested to us. The + camp-keeper and myself took the biscuits and jerked beef from his pockets, + and buried him just barely under the ground, near a tree which had been + fired, and from around which the snow had melted." Those who were in the + company thought Wm. G. Murphy could not possibly walk, but when all had + gone, and Hook was dead, and no alternative remained but to walk or die, + he did walk. It took him two days to go barefooted over the snow to Mule + Springs, a journey which the others had made in one day. The agony which + he endured during that trip can better be imagined than described. Nothing + but an indomitable will could have sustained him during those two days. + </p> + <p> + All the members of this relief party suffered greatly, and several came + near perishing. Little James F. Reed, Jr., was too small to step in the + tracks made by the older members of the party. In order to travel with the + rest he had to partly use his knees in walking. When one foot was in a + track he would place the other knee on the untrodden snow, and was thus + enabled to put his foot in the next track. John Denton was left with a + good fire, and when last seen was reclining smoking, on a bed of freshly + gathered pine boughs. He looked so comfortable that the little timid boy + James begged hard to be allowed to remain with him. Mrs. Reed had hard + work to coax him to come. Among other things, she promised that when he + reached California he should have a horse "all for himself," and that he + should never have to walk any more. This promise was literally fulfilled. + James F. Reed, Jr., since reaching California, has always had a horse of + his own. No matter what vicissitudes of fortune have overtaken him, he has + always kept a saddle horse. + </p> + <p> + Sad scenes were occurring at the cabin at Donner Lake and the tents at + Alder Creek. Starvation was fast claiming its victims. The poor sufferers + tried to be brave and trust God, but sometimes hope well-nigh disappeared. + The evening prayers were always read in Patrick Breen's cabin, and all the + inmates knelt and joined in the responses. Once when they were thus + praying, they heard the cries of wild geese flying over the cabin. With + one accord all raised their heads and listened for a moment to the + soul-inspiring sound. "Thank God, the spring is coming," was all Patrick + Breen said, and again bowing their heads, the prayer was resumed. + </p> + <p> + Charles L. Cady, writing from Calistoga, says that Commodore Stockton + employed Greenwood and Turner to guide the second relief party over the + mountains to Donner Lake. Cady, Stone, and Clark, being young, vigorous + men, left their companions, or were sent forward by Reed, and reached the + cabins some hours in advance of the party. At one time, near the present + station of Summit Valley, Cady and Stone became bewildered, thought they + were lost, and wanted to return. Mr. Clark, however, prevailed upon them + to press forward, agreeing that if they did not catch some glimpse of + Donner Lake when they reached a certain mountain top in the distance, he + would give up and return with them. Had they reached the mountain top they + could not have seen the lake, and so would have turned back, but while + they were ascending, they came to the lifeless body of C. T. Stanton + sitting upright against a tree. There was no longer room for doubting that + they were going in the right direction to reach Donner Lake. Poor Stanton! + even in death he pointed out to the relief party the way to the starving + emigrants, to save whom he had sacrificed his life. + </p> + <p> + Reed's diary continues: + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 28. Left camp about twelve o'clock at night, but was compelled to + camp about two o'clock, the snow still being soft. Left again about four + o'clock, all hands, and made this day fourteen miles. Encamped early; snow + very soft. The snow here is thirty feet deep. Three of my men, Cady, + Clark, and Stone, kept on during the night to within two miles of the + cabins, where they halted, and remained without fire during the night, on + account of having seen ten Indians. The boys did not have any arms, and + supposed these Indians had taken the cabins and destroyed the people. In + the morning they started, and reached the cabins. All were alive in the + houses. They gave provisions to Keseberg, Breen, Graves, and Mrs. Murphy, + and the two then left for Donner's, a distance of seven miles, which they + made by the middle of the day." + </p> + <p> + "March 1. I came up with the remainder of my party, and told the people + that all who were able should start day after to-morrow. Made soup for the + infirm, washed and clothed afresh Eddy's and Foster's children, and + rendered every assistance in my power. I left Mr. Stone with Keseberg's + people to cook, and to watch the eating of Mrs. Murphy, Keseberg, and + three children." + </p> + <p> + In Patrick Breen's diary is found the following: + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 23. Froze hard last night. To-day pleasant and thawy; has the + appearance of spring, all but the deep snow. Wind south-south-east. Shot a + dog to-day and dressed his flesh." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 25. To-day Mrs. Murphy says the wolves are about to dig up the dead + bodies around her shanty, and the nights are too cold to watch them, but + we hear them howl." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 26. Hungry times in camp; plenty of hides, but the folks will not + eat them; we eat them with tolerably good appetite, thanks to the Almighty + God. Mrs. Murphy said here yesterday that she thought she would commence + on Milton and eat him. I do not think she has done so yet; it is + distressing. The Donners told the California folks four days ago that they + would commence on the dead people if they did not succeed that day or the + next in finding their cattle, then ten or twelve feet under the snow, and + they did not know the spot or near it; they have done it ere this." + </p> + <p> + "Feb. 28. One solitary Indian passed by yesterday; came from the lake; had + a heavy pack on his back; gave me five, or six roots resembling onions in + shape; tasted some like a sweet potato; full of tough little fibers." + </p> + <p> + "March 1. Ten men arrived this morning from Bear Valley, with provisions. + We are to start in two or three days, and cache our goods here. They say + the snow will remain until June." + </p> + <p> + This closes Patrick Breen's diary. Its record has always been considered + reliable. None of the statements made in this diary have ever been + controverted. + </p> + <p> + The Indian spoken of refused to be interviewed. To quote the language of + Mr. John Breen, "he did not seem to be at all curious as to how or why + there was a white man alone (as it must have seemed to him) in the + wilderness of snow." The Indian was trudging along with a heavy pack on + his back. As soon as he saw Mr. Breen, he halted and warned him with a + gesture not to approach. Taking from the pack a few of the fibrous roots, + he laid them on the snow, still cautioning with his hand not to approach + until he was well out of reach. As soon as the Indian was gone, Mr. Breen + went out and got the roots, which were very palatable. It is probable that + this was one of the band of Indians seen by Clark, Cady, and Stone. + </p> + <p> + When Patty and Thomas Reed had been returned to the cabins by Aquila + Glover, they had been received by the Breen family, where they remained + all the time until their father came. The Breen cabin was the first one at + which Mr. Reed arrived. His meeting with his daughter is thus described by + Mr. Eddy, in Thornton's work: "At this camp Mr. Reed saw his daughter + Patty sitting on the top of the snow with which the cabin was covered. + Patty saw her father at some distance, and immediately started to run and + meet him, but such was her weakness that she fell. Her father took her up, + and the affectionate girl, bathed in tears, embraced and kissed him, + exclaiming: 'Oh, papa! I never expected to see you again when the cruel + people drove you out of camp. But I knew that God was good, and would do + what was best. Is dear mamma living? Is Mr. Glover living? Did you know + that he was a Mason? Oh, my dear papa, I am so happy to see you. Masons + must be good men. Is Mr. Glover the same sort of Mason we had in + Springfield? He promised mamma upon the word of a Mason that he would + bring me and Tommy out of the mountains.' Mr. Reed told Patty that Masons + were everywhere the same, and that he had met her mother and Mr. Glover, + and had relieved him from his pledge, and that he himself had come to her + and little Tommy to redeem that pledge and to take out all that were able + to travel." + </p> + <p> + The greatest precaution was taken to keep the suffering emigrants from + overeating. Cady, Stone, and Clark had distributed a small portion of food + to each of the famished beings. Patty Reed was intrusted with the task of + giving to each person a single biscuit. Taking the biscuits in her apron + she went in turn to each member of the company. Who shall describe the + rejoicings that were held over those biscuits? Several of the survivors, + in speaking of the subject, say that to their hungry eyes these small + pieces of bread assumed gigantic proportions. Never did the largest loaves + of bread look half so large. Patty Reed says that some of the little girls + cut their portions into thin slices, so as to eat them slowly and enjoy + them more completely. + </p> + <p> + The names of the members of this second relief party were James F. Reed, + Charles Cady, Charles Stone, Nicholas Clark, Joseph Jondro, Mathew Dofar, + John Turner, Hiram Miller, Wm. McCutchen, and Brit. Greenwood. A portion + of the party went to the Donner tents, and the remainder assisted the + emigrants in preparing to start over the mountains. The distress and + suffering at each camp was extreme. Even after the children had received + as much food as was prudent, it is said they would stretch out their + little arms and with cries and tears beg for something to eat. Mrs. Murphy + informed Mr. Reed that some of the children had been confined to their + beds for fourteen days. It was clearly to be seen that very few of the + sufferers could cross the Sierra without being almost carried. They were + too weak and helpless to walk. The threatening appearance of the weather + and the short supply of provisions urged the party to hasten their + departure, and it was quickly decided who should go, and who remain. Those + who started from Donner Lake on the third of March with Mr. Reed and his + party were Patrick Breen, Mrs. Margaret Breen, John Breen, Patrick Breen, + Jr., James F. Breen, Peter Breen, and Isabella M. Breen, Patty Reed and + Thomas Reed, Isaac Donner and Mary M. Donner, Solomon Hook, Mrs. Elizabeth + Graves, Nancy Graves, Jonathan Graves, Franklin Graves, and Elizabeth + Graves, Jr. Many of the younger members of this party had to be carried. + All were very much weakened and emaciated, and it was evident that the + journey over the mountains would be slow and painful. In case a storm + should occur on the summits, it was fearfully apparent that the trip would + be exceedingly perilous. + </p> + <p> + Reed's party encamped the first night near the upper end of Donner Lake. + They had scarcely traveled three miles. Upon starting from the Graves + cabin, Mrs. Graves had taken with her a considerable sum of money. This + money, Mr. McCutchen says, had been ingeniously concealed in auger holes + bored in cleats nailed to the bed of the wagon. These cleats, as W. C. + Graves informs us, were ostensibly placed in the wagon-bed to support a + table carried in the back part of the wagon. On the under side of these + cleats, however, were the auger-holes, carefully filled with coin. The sum + is variously stated at from three to five hundred dollars. At the + camping-ground, near the upper end of Donner Lake, one of the relief party + jokingly proposed to another to play a game of euchre to see who should + have Mrs. Graves' money. The next morning, Mrs. Graves remained behind + when the party started, and concealed her money. All that is known is, + that she buried it behind a large rock on the north side of Donner Lake. + So far as is known, this money has never been recovered, but still lies + hidden where it was placed by Mrs. Graves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Leaving Three Men in the Mountains + The Emigrants Quite Helpless + Bear Tracks in the Snow + The Clumps of Tamarack + Wounding a Bear + Bloodstains upon the Snow + A Weary Chase + A Momentous Day + Stone and Cady Leave the Sufferers + A Mother Offering Five Hundred Dollars + Mrs. Donner Parting from her Children + "God will Take Care of You" + Buried in the Snow, without Food or Fire + Pines Uprooted by the Storm + A Grave Cut in the Snow + The Cub's Cave + Firing at Random + A Desperate Undertaking + Preparing for a Hand-to-Hand Battle + Precipitated into the Cave + Seizing the Bear + Mrs. Elizabeth Donner's Death + Clark and Baptiste Attempt to Escape + A Death more Cruel than Starvation. +</pre> + <p> + Before Reed's party started to return, a consultation was held, and it was + decided that Clark, Cady, and Stone should remain at the mountain camps. + It was intended that these men should attend to procuring wood, and + perform such other acts as would assist the almost helpless sufferers. It + was thought that a third relief party could be sent out in a few days to + get all the emigrants who remained. + </p> + <p> + Nicholas Clark, who now resides in Honey Lake Valley, Lassen County, + California, says that as he and Cady were going to the Donner tents, they + saw the fresh tracks of a bear and cub crossing the road. In those days, + there were several little clumps of tamarack along Alder Creek, just below + the Donner tents, and as the tracks led towards these, Mr. Clark procured + a gun and started for an evening's hunt among the tamaracks. He found the + bear and her cub within sight of the tents, and succeeded in severely + wounding the old bear. She was a black bear, of medium size. For a long + distance, over the snow and through the forests, Clark followed the + wounded animal and her cub. The approach of darkness at last warned him to + desist, and returning to the tents, he passed the night. Early next + morning, Clark again set out in pursuit of the bear, following her readily + by the blood-stains upon the snow. It was another windy, cloudy, + threatening day, and there was every indication that a severe storm was + approaching. Eagerly intent upon securing his game, Mr. Clark gave little + heed to weather, or time, or distance. The endurance of the wounded animal + was too great, however, and late in the afternoon he realized that it was + necessary for him to give up the weary chase, and retrace his steps. He + arrived at the tents hungry, tired, and footsore, long after dark. + </p> + <p> + That day, however, had been a momentous one at the Donner tents. Stone had + come over early in the morning, and he and Cady concluded that it was + sheer madness for them to remain in the mountains. That a terrible storm + was fast coming on, could not be doubted. The provisions were almost + exhausted, and if they remained, it would only be to perish with the poor + emigrants. They therefore concluded to attempt to follow and overtake Reed + and his companions. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tamsen Donner was able to have crossed the mountains with her + children with either Tucker's or Reed's party. On account of her husband's + illness, however, she had firmly refused all entreaties, and had + resolutely determined to remain by his bedside. She was extremely anxious, + however, that her children should reach California; and Hiram Miller + relates that she offered five hundred dollars to any one in the second + relief party, who would take them in safety across the mountains. When + Cady and Stone decided to go, Mrs. Donner induced them to attempt the + rescue of these children, Frances, Georgia, and Eliza. They took the + children as far the cabins at the lake, and left them. Probably they + became aware of the impossibility of escaping the storm, and knew that it + would be sure death, for both themselves and the children, should they + take them any farther. In view of the terrible calamity which befell + Reed's party on account of this storm, and the fact that Cady and Stone + had a terrible struggle for life, every one must justify these men in + leaving the children at the cabins. The parting between the devoted mother + and her little ones is thus briefly described by Georgia Donner, now Mrs. + Babcock: "The men came. I listened to their talking as they made their + agreement. Then they took us, three little girls, up the stone steps, and + stood us on the bank. Mother came, put on our hoods and cloaks, saying, as + if she was talking more to herself than to us: 'I may never see you again, + but God will take care of you.' After traveling a few miles, they left us + on the snow, went ahead a short distance, talked one to another, then came + back, took us as far as Keseberg's cabin, and left us." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Cady recalls the incident of leaving the children on the snow, but + says the party saw a coyote, and were attempting to get a shot at the + animal. + </p> + <p> + When Nicholas Clark awoke on the morning of the third day, the tent was + literally buried in freshly fallen snow. He was in what is known as Jacob + Donner's tent. Its only occupants besides himself were Mrs. Elizabeth + Donner, her son Lewis, and the Spanish boy, John Baptiste. George Donner + and wife were in their own tent, and with them was Mrs. Elizabeth Donner's + youngest child, Samuel. Mr. Clark says he can not remember how long the + storm lasted, but it seems as if it must have been at least a week. The + snow was so deep that it was impossible to procure wood, and during all + those terrible days and nights there was no fire in either of the tents. + The food gave out the first day, and the dreadful cold was rendered more + intense by the pangs of hunger. Sometimes the wind would blow like a + hurricane, and they could plainly hear the great pines crashing on the + mountain side above them, as the wind uprooted them and hurled them to the + ground. Sometimes the weather would seem to moderate, and the snow would + melt and trickle in under the sides of the tent, wetting their clothes and + bedding, and increasing the misery of their situation. + </p> + <p> + When the storm cleared away, Clark found himself starving like the rest. + He had really become one of the Donner Party, and was as certain to perish + as were the unfortunates about him. It would necessarily be several days + before relief could possibly arrive, and utter despair seemed to surround + them. Just as the storm was closing, Lewis Donner died, and the poor + mother was well-nigh frantic with grief. As soon as she could make her way + to the other tent, she carried her dead babe over and laid it in Mrs. + George Donner's lap. With Clark's assistance, they finally laid the child + away in a grave cut out of the solid snow. + </p> + <p> + In going to a tamarack grove to get some wood, Mr. Clark was surprised to + find the fresh track of the bear cub, which had recrossed Alder Creek and + ascended the mountain behind the tents. It was doubtless the same one + whose mother he had wounded. The mother had probably died, and after the + storm the cub had returned. Mr. Clark at once followed it, tracking it far + up the mountain side to a cliff of rocks, and losing the trail at the + mouth of a small, dark cave. He says that all hope deserted him when he + found that the cub had gone into the cave. He sat down upon the snow in + utter despair. It was useless to return to the tents without food; he + might as well perish upon the mountain side. After reflecting for some + time upon the gloomy situation, he concluded to fire his gun into the + cave, and see if the report might not frighten out the cub. He placed the + muzzle of the gun as far down into the cave as he could, and fired. When + the hollow reverberation died away among the cliffs, no sound disturbed + the brooding silence. The experiment had failed. He seriously meditated + whether he could not watch the cave day and night until the cub should be + driven out by starvation. But suddenly a new idea occurred to him. Judging + from the track, and from the size of the cub he had seen, Mr. Clark + concluded that it was possible he might be able to enter the cave and kill + the cub in a hand-to-hand fight. It was a desperate undertaking, but it + was preferable to death from starvation. He approached the narrow opening, + and tried again to peer into the cave and ascertain its depth. As he was + thus engaged the snow suddenly gave way, and he was precipitated bodily + into the cave. He partly fell, partly slid to the very bottom of the hole + in the rocks. In endeavoring to regain an erect posture, his hand struck + against some furry animal. Instinctively recoiling, he waited for a moment + to see what it would do. Coming from the dazzling sunlight into the + darkness, he could see nothing whatever. Presently he put out his foot and + again touched the animal. Finding that it did not move, he seized hold of + it and found that it was the cub-dead! His random shot had pierced its + brain, and it had died without a struggle. The cave or opening in the + rocks was not very deep, and after a long time he succeeded in dragging + his prize to the surface. + </p> + <p> + There was food in the Donner tents from this time forward. It came too + late, however, to save Mrs. Elizabeth Donner or her son Samuel. This + mother was quite able to have crossed the mountains with either of the two + relief parties; but, as Mrs. E. P. Houghton writes: "Her little boys were + too young to walk through the deep snows, she was not able to carry them, + and the relief parties were too small to meet such emergencies. She stayed + with them, hoping some way would be provided for their rescue. Grief, + hunger, and disappointed hopes crushed her spirit, and so debilitated her + that death came before the required help reached her or her children. For + some days before her death she was so weak that Mrs. George Donner and the + others had to feed her as if she had been a child. At last, one evening, + as the sun went down, she closed her eyes and awoke no more. Her life had + been sacrificed for her children. Could words be framed to express a more + fitting tribute to her memory! Does not the simple story of this mother's + love wreathe a chaplet of glory about her brow far holier than could be + fashioned by human hands!" + </p> + <p> + Samuel Donner lingered but a few days longer. Despite the tenderest care + and attention, he grew weaker day by day, until he slept by the side of + his mother and brother in their snowy grave. + </p> + <p> + All this time Mrs. Tamsen Donner was tortured with fear and dread, lest + her children had perished in the dreadful storm on the summits. At last + Clark yielded to her importunities, and decided to visit the cabins at + Donner Lake, and see if there was any news from beyond the Sierra. Clark + found the children at Keseberg's cabin, and witnessed such scenes of + horror and suffering that he determined at once to attempt to reach + California. Returning to Alder Creek, he told Mrs. Donner of the situation + of her children, and says he informed her that he believed their lives + were in danger of a death more violent than starvation. He informed her of + his resolution to leave the mountains, and taking a portion of the little + meat that was left, he at once started upon his journey. John Baptiste + accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + The cub would have weighed about seventy pounds when killed; and now that + its flesh was nearly gone, there was really very little hope for any one + unless relief came speedily. In attempting to make their way across the + mountains, Clark and Baptiste did the wisest thing possible, yet they well + knew that they would perish by the way unless they met relief. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Tamsen Donner did not dare to leave her husband alone during the + night, but told Clark and Baptiste that she should endeavor to make the + journey to the cabins on the following day. It was a long, weary walk over + the pitiless snow, but she had before her yearning eyes not only the + picture of her starving children, but the fear that they were in danger of + a more cruel death than starvation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Mountain Storm + Provisions Exhausted + Battling the Storm-Fiends + Black Despair + Icy Coldness + A Picture of Desolation + The Sleep of Death + A Piteous Farewell + Falling into the Firewell + Isaac Donner's Death + Living upon Snow-water + Excruciating Pain + A Vision of Angels + "Patty is Dying" + The Thumb of a Mitten + A Child's Treasures + The "Dolly" of the Donner Party. +</pre> + <p> + On the evening of the second day after leaving Donner Lake, Reed's party + and the little band of famished emigrants found themselves in a cold, + bleak, uncomfortable hollow, somewhere near the lower end of Summit + Valley. Here the storm broke in all its fury upon the doomed company. In + addition to the cold, sleet-like snow, a fierce, penetrating wind seemed + to freeze the very marrow in their bones. The relief party had urged the + tired, hungry, enfeebled emigrants forward at the greatest possible speed + all day, in order to get as near the settlements as they could before the + storm should burst upon them. Besides, their provisions were exhausted, + and they were anxious to reach certain caches of supplies which they had + made while going to the cabins. Fearing that the storm would prevent the + party from reaching these caches, Mr. Reed sent Joseph Jondro, Matthew + Dofar, and Hiram Turner forward to the first cache, with instructions to + get the provisions and return to the suffering emigrants. That very night + the storm came, and the three men had not been heard from. + </p> + <p> + The camp was in a most inhospitable spot. Exposed to the fury of the wind + and storm, shelterless, supperless, overwhelmed with discouragements, the + entire party sank down exhausted upon the snow. The entire party? No! + There was one man who never ceased to work. When a fire had been kindled, + and nearly every one had given up, this one man, unaided, continued to + strive to erect some sort of shelter to protect the defenseless women and + children. Planting large pine boughs in the snow, he banked up the snow on + either side of them so as to form a wall. Hour after hour, in the darkness + and raging storm, he toiled on alone, building the sheltering breastwork + which was to ward off death from the party who by this time had crept + shiveringly under its protection. But for this shelter, all would have + perished before morning. At midnight the man was still at work. The + darting snow particles seemed to cut his eye-balls, and the glare of the + fire and the great physical exhaustion under which he was laboring, + gradually rendered him blind. Like his companions, he had borne a child in + his arms all day over the soft, yielding snow. Like them, he was drenched + to the skin, and his clothing was frozen stiff and hard with ice. Yet he + kept up the fire, built a great sheltering wall about the sufferers, and + went here and there amongst the wailing and dying. With unabated violence + the storm continued its relentless fury. The survivors say it was the + coldest night they ever experienced. There is a limit to human endurance. + The man was getting stone-blind. Had he attempted to speak, his tongue + would have cloven to the roof of his mouth. His senses were chilled, + blunted, dead. Sleep had stilled the plaintive cries of those about him. + All was silent save the storm. Without knowing it, this heroic man was + yielding to a sleep more powerful than that which had overcome his + companions. While trying to save those who were weaker than himself, he + had been literally freezing. Sightless, benumbed, moving half + unconsciously about his work, he staggered, staggered, staggered, and + finally sank in the snow. All slept! As he put no more fuel upon the fire, + the flames died down. The logs upon which the fire had rested gave way, + and most of the coals fell upon the snow. They were in almost total + darkness. + </p> + <p> + Presently some one awoke. It was Mrs. Breen, whose motherly watchfulness + prevented more than a few consecutive moments' sleep. The camp was quickly + aroused. All were nearly frozen. Hiram Miller's hands were so cold and + frosted that the skin on the fingers cracked open when he tried to split + some kindlings. At last the fire was somehow renewed. Meantime they had + discovered their leader—he who had been working throughout the + night-lying cold, speechless, and apparently dead upon the snow. Hiram + Miller and Wm. McCutchen carried the man to the fire, chafed his hands and + limbs, rubbed his body vigorously, and worked with him as hard as they + could for two hours before he showed signs of returning consciousness. + Redoubling their exertions, they kept at work until the cold, gray morning + dawned, ere the man was fully restored. Would you know the name of this + man, this hero? It was James Frazier Reed. + </p> + <p> + From this time forward, all the toil, all the responsibility devolved upon + Wm. McCutchen and Hiram Miller. Jondro, Dofar, and Turner were caught in + the drifts ahead. The fishers or other wild animals had almost completely + devoured the first cache of provisions, and while these men were trying to + reach the second cache, the storm imprisoned them. They could neither go + forward nor return. Cady and Stone were between Donner Lake and Starved + Camp, and were in a like helpless condition. McCutchen and Miller were the + only ones able to do anything toward saving the poor creatures who were + huddled together at the miserable camp. All the other men were completely + disheartened by the fearful calamity which had overtaken them. But for the + untiring exertions of these two men, death to all would have been certain. + McCutchen had on four shirts, and yet he became so chilled while trying to + kindle the fire, that in getting warm he burned the back out of his + shirts. He only discovered the mishap by the scorching and burning of his + flesh. + </p> + <p> + What a picture of desolation was presented to the inmates of Starved Camp + during the next three days! It stormed incessantly. One who has not + witnessed a storm on the Sierra can not imagine the situation. A quotation + from Bret Harte's "Gabriel Conroy" will afford the best idea of the + situation: + </p> + <p> + "Snow. Everywhere. As far as the eye could reach fifty miles, looking + southward from the highest white peak. Filling ravines and gulches, and + dropping from the walls of canyons in white shroud-like drifts, fashioning + the dividing ridge into the likeness of a monstrous grave, hiding the + bases of giant pines, and completely covering young trees and larches, + rimming with porcelain the bowl-like edges of still, cold lakes, and + undulating in motionless white billows to the edge of the distant horizon. + Snow lying everywhere on the California Sierra, and still falling. It had + been snowing in finely granulated powder, in damp, spongy flakes, in thin, + feathery plumes; snowing from a leaden sky steadily, snowing fiercely, + shaken out of purple-black clouds in white flocculent masses, or dropping + in long level lines like white lances from the tumbled and broken heavens. + But always silently! The woods were so choked with it, it had so cushioned + and muffled the ringing rocks and echoing hills, that all sound was + deadened. The strongest gust, the fiercest blast, awoke no sigh or + complaint from the snow-packed, rigid files of forest. There was no + cracking of bough nor crackle of underbrush; the overladen branches of + pine and fir yielded and gave away without a sound. The silence was vast, + measureless, complete!" + </p> + <p> + In alluding to these terrible days, in his diary, Mr. Reed says, under + date of March 6: + </p> + <p> + "With the snow there is a perfect hurricane. In the night there is a great + crying among the children, and even with the parents there is praying, + crying, and lamentation on account of the cold and the dread of death from + hunger and the howling storm. The men up nearly all night making fires. + Some of the men began praying. Several of them became blind. I could not + see the light of the fire blazing before me, nor tell when it was burning. + The light of heaven is, as it were, shut out from us. The snow blows so + thick and fast that we can not see twenty feet looking against the wind. I + dread the coming night. Three of my men only, able to get wood. The rest + have given out for the present. It is still snowing, and very cold. So + cold that the few men employed in cutting the dry trees down, have to come + and, warm about every ten minutes. 'Hungry!' 'Hungry!' is the cry with the + children, and nothing to give them. 'Freezing!' is the cry of the mothers + who have nothing for their little, starving, freezing children. Night + closing fast, and with it the hurricane increases. + </p> + <p> + "Mar. 7. Thank God day has once more appeared, although darkened by the + storm. Snowing as fast as ever, and the hurricane has never ceased for ten + minutes at a time during one of the most dismal nights I have ever + witnessed. I hope I shall never witness another such in a similar + situation. Of all the praying and crying I ever heard, nothing ever + equaled it. Several times I expected to see the people perish of the + extreme cold. At one time our fire was nearly gone, and had it not been + for McCutchen's exertions it would have entirely disappeared. If the fire + had been lost, two thirds of the camp would have been out of their misery + before morning; but, as God would have it, we soon had it blazing + comfortably, and the sufferings of the people became less for a time. Hope + began to animate the bosoms of many, young and old, when the cheering + blaze rose through the dry pine logs we had piled together. One would say, + 'Thank God for the fire!' Another, 'How good it is!' The poor, little, + half-starved, half-frozen children would say, 'I'm glad, I'm glad we have + got some fire! Oh, how good it feels! It is good our fire didn't go out!' + At times the storm would burst forth with such fury that I felt alarmed + for the safety of the people on account of the tall timber that surrounded + us." + </p> + <p> + Death entered the camp on the first night. He came to claim one who was a + true, faithful mother. One who merits greater praise than language can + convey. Though comparatively little has been told concerning her life by + the survivors, doubt not that Mrs. Elizabeth Graves was one of the noblest + of the mothers of the Donner Party. Her charity is kindly remembered by + all who have spoken her name. To her companions in misfortune she always + gave such food as she possessed; for her children she now gave her life. + The last morsels of food, the last grain of flour, she had placed in the + mouths of her babes, though she was dying of starvation. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Farnham, who talked personally with Mrs. Breen, gives the following + description of that terrible night: + </p> + <p> + "Mrs. Breen told me that she had her husband and five children together, + lying with their feet to the fire, and their heads under shelter of the + snow breast-work. She sat by them, with only moccasins on her feet, and a + blanket drawn over her shoulders and head, within which, and a shawl she + constantly wore, she nursed her poor baby on her knees. Her milk had been + gone several days, and the child was so emaciated and lifeless that she + scarcely expected at any time on opening the covering to find it alive. + Mrs. Graves lay with her babe and three or four older children at the + other side of the fire. The storm was very violent all night, and she + watched through it, dozing occasionally for a few minutes, and then + rousing herself to brush the snow and flying sparks from the covering of + the sleepers. Toward morning she heard one of the young girls opposite + call to her mother to cover her. The call was repeated several times + impatiently, when she spoke to the child, reminding her of the exhaustion + and fatigue her mother suffered in nursing and carrying the baby, and + bidding her cover herself, and let her mother rest. Presently she heard + the mother speak, in a quiet, unnatural tone, and she called to one of the + men near her to go and speak to her. He arose after a few minutes and + found the poor sufferer almost past speaking. He took her infant, and + after shaking the snow from her blanket, covered her as well as might be. + Shortly after, Mrs. Breen observed her to turn herself slightly, and throw + one arm feebly up, as if to go to sleep. She waited a little while, and + seeing her remain quite still, she walked around to her. She was already + cold in death. Her poor starving child wailed and moaned piteously in the + arms of its young sister, but the mother's heart could no more warm or + nourish it." + </p> + <p> + The members of the second relief party realized that they were themselves + in imminent danger of death. They were powerless to carry the starving + children over the deep, soft, treacherous snow, and it was doubtful if + they would be able to reach the settlements unencumbered. Isaac Donner, + one of the sons of Jacob and Elizabeth Donner, perished during one of the + stormy nights. He was lying on the bed of pine boughs between his sister + Mary and Patty Reed, and died so quietly that neither of the sleeping + girls awoke. + </p> + <p> + The relief party determined to set out over the snow, hasten to the + settlements, and send back relief. Solomon Hook, Jacob Donner's oldest + boy, insisted that he was able to walk, and therefore joined the party. + Hiram Miller, an old friend of the Reed family, took little Thomas Reed in + his arms, and set out with the others. Patty Reed, full of hope and + courage, refused to be carried by her father, and started on foot. + </p> + <p> + With what emotions did the poor sufferers in Starved Camp watch the party + as it disappeared among the pines! There was no food in camp, and death + had already selected two of their number. What a pitiable group it was! + Could a situation more desolate or deplorable be imagined? Mr. Breen, as + has been heretofore mentioned, was feeble, sickly, and almost as helpless + as the children. Upon Mrs. Breen devolved the care, not only of her + husband, but of all who remained in the fatal camp, for all others were + children. John Breen, their eldest son, was the strongest and most + vigorous in the family, yet the following incident shows how near he was + to death's door. It must have occurred the morning the relief party left. + The heat of the fire had melted a deep, round hole in the snow. At the + bottom of the pit was the fire. The men were able to descend the sides of + this cavity, and frequently did so to attend to the fire. At one time, + while William McCutchen was down by the fire, John Breen was sitting on + the end of one of the logs on which the fire had originally been kindled. + Several logs had been laid side by side, and the fire had been built in + the middle of the floor thus constructed. While the central logs had + burned out and let the fire descend, the outer logs remained with their + ends on the firm snow. On one of these logs John Breen was sitting. + Suddenly overcome by fatigue and hunger, he fainted and dropped headlong + into the fire-pit. Fortunately, Mr. McCutchen caught the falling boy, and + thus saved him from a horrible death. It was some time before the boy was + fully restored to consciousness. Mrs. Breen had a small quantity of sugar, + and a little was placed between his clenched teeth. This seemed to revive + him, and he not only survived, but is living to-day, the head of a large + family, in San Benito County. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Breen's younger children, Patrick, James, Peter, and the nursing + babe, Isabella, were completely helpless and dependent. Not less helpless + were the orphan children of Mr. and Mrs. Graves. Nancy was only about nine + years old, and upon her devolved the task of caring for the babe, + Elizabeth. Nancy Graves is now the wife of the earnest and eloquent + divine, Rev. R. W. Williamson, of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County. To her + lasting honor be it said, that although she was dying of hunger in Starved + Camp, yet she faithfully tended, cared for, and saved her baby sister. + Aside from occasional bits of sugar, this baby and Mrs. Breen's had + nothing for an entire week, save snow-water. Besides Nancy and Elizabeth, + there were of the Graves children, Jonathan, aged seven, and Franklin, + aged five years. Franklin soon perished. Starvation and exposure had so + reduced his tiny frame, that he could not endure these days of continual + fasting. + </p> + <p> + Mary M. Donner, whom all mention as one of the most lovely girls in the + Donner Party, met with a cruel accident the night before the relief party + left Starved Camp. Her feet had become frozen and insensible to pain. + Happening to lie too near the fire, one of her feet became dreadfully + burned. She suffered excruciating agony, yet evinced remarkable fortitude. + She ultimately lost four toes from her left foot, on account of this sad + occurrence. + </p> + <p> + Seven of the Breens, Mary Donner, and the three children of Mr. and Mrs. + Graves, made the eleven now waiting for relief at Starved Camp. Mrs. + Graves, her child Franklin, and the boy, Isaac Donner, who lay stark in + death upon the snow, completed the fourteen who were left by the relief + party. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, how fared it with those who were pressing forward toward the + settlements? At each step they sank two or three feet into the snow. Of + course those who were ahead broke the path, and the others, as far as + possible, stepped in their tracks. This, Patty Reed could not do, because + she was too small. So determined was she, however, that despite the extra + exertion she was compelled to undergo, she would not admit being either + cold or fatigued. Patty Reed has been mentioned as only eight years old. + Many of the survivors speak of her, however, in much the same terms as + John Breen, who says: "I was under the impression that she was older. She + had a wonderful mind for one of her age. She had, I have often thought, as + much sense as a grown person." Over Patty's large, dark eyes, on this + morning, gradually crept a film. Previous starvation had greatly + attenuated her system, and she was far too weak to endure the hardship she + had undertaken. Gradually the snow-mantled forests, the forbidding + mountains, the deep, dark canyon of Bear River, and even the forms of her + companions, faded from view. In their stead came a picture of such glory + and brightness as seldom comes to human eyes. It was a vision of angels + and of brilliant stars. She commenced calling her father, and those with + him, and began talking about the radiant forms that hovered over her. Her + wan, pale face was illumined with smiles, and with an ecstasy of joy she + talked of the angels and stars, and of the happiness she experienced. + "Why, Reed," exclaimed McCutchen, "Patty is dying!" And it was too true. + </p> + <p> + For a few moments the party forgot their own sufferings and trials, and + ministered to the wants of the spiritual child, whose entrance into the + dark valley had been heralded by troops of white-winged angels. At Starved + Camp, Reed had taken the hard, frozen sacks in which the provisions had + been carried, and by holding them to the fire had thawed out the seams, + and scraped therefrom about a teaspoonful of crumbs. These he had placed + in the thumb of his woolen mitten to be used in case of emergency. Little + did he suppose that the emergency would come so soon. Warming and + moistening these crumbs between his own lips, the father placed them in + his child's mouth. Meantime they had wrapped a blanket around her chilled + form, and were busily chafing her hands and feet. Her first return to + consciousness was signaled by the regrets she expressed at having been + awakened from her beautiful dream. To this day she cherishes the memory of + that vision as the dearest, most enchanting of all her life. After this, + some of the kindhearted Frenchmen in the party took turns with Reed in + carrying Patty upon their backs. + </p> + <p> + Past-midshipman S. E. Woodworth is a name that in most published accounts + figures conspicuously among the relief parties organized to rescue the + Donner Party. At the time Reed and his companions were suffering untold + horrors on the mountains, and those left at Starved Camp were perishing of + starvation, Woodworth, with an abundance of supplies, was lying idle in + camp at Bear Valley. This was the part that Selim E. Woodworth took in the + relief of the sufferers. + </p> + <p> + The three men who had been sent forward to the caches, left the remnant of + the provisions which had not been destroyed, where it could easily be seen + by Reed and his companions. Hurrying forward, they reached Woodworth's + camp, and two men, John Stark and Howard Oakley, returned and met Reed's + party. It was quite time. With frozen feet and exhausted bodies, the + members of the second relief were in a sad plight. They left the + settlements strong, hearty men. They returned in a half-dead condition. + Several lost some of their toes on account of having them frozen, and one + or two were crippled for life. They had been three days on the way from + Starved Camp to Woodworth's. Cady and Stone overtook Reed and his + companions on the second day after leaving Starved Camp. On the night of + the third day, they arrived at Woodworth's. + </p> + <p> + When Patty Reed reached Woodworth's and had been provided with suitable + food, an incident occurred which fully illustrates the tenderness and + womanliness of her nature. Knowing that her mother and dear ones were + safe, knowing that relief would speedily return to those on the mountains, + realizing that for her there was to be no more hunger, or snow, and that + she would no longer be separated from her father, her feelings may well be + imagined. In her quiet joy she was not wholly alone. Hidden away in her + bosom, during all the suffering and agony of the journey over the + mountains, were a number of childish treasures. First, there was a lock of + silvery gray hair which her own hand had cut from the head of her + Grandmother Keyes way back on the Big Blue River. Patty had always been a + favorite with her grandma, and when the latter died, Patty secured this + lock of hair. She tied it up in a little piece of old-fashioned lawn, + dotted with wee blue flowers, and always carried it in her bosom. But this + was not all. She had a dainty little glass salt-cellar, scarcely larger + than the inside of a humming-bird's nest, and, what was more precious than + this, a tiny, wooden doll. This doll had been her constant companion. It + had black eyes and hair, and was indeed very pretty. At Woodworth's camp, + Patty told "Dolly" all her joy and gladness, and who can not pardon the + little girl for thinking her dolly looked happy as she listened? + </p> + <p> + Patty Reed is now Mrs. Frank Lewis, of San Jose, Cal. She has a pleasant + home and a beautiful family of children. Yet oftentimes the mother, the + grown-up daughters, and the younger members of the family, gather with + tear-dimmed eyes about a little sacred box. In this box is the lock of + hair in the piece of lawn, the tiny salt-cellar, the much loved "Dolly," + and an old woolen mitten, in the thumb of which are yet the traces of fine + crumbs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Mother at Starved Camp + Repeating the Litany + Hoping in Despair + Wasting Away + The Precious Lump of Sugar + "James is Dying" + Restoring a Life + Relentless Hunger + The Silent Night-Vigils + The Sight of Earth + Descending the Snow-Pit + The Flesh of the Dead + Refusing to Eat + The Morning Star + The Mercy of God + The Mutilated Forms + The Dizziness of Delirium + Faith Rewarded + "There is Mrs. Breen!" +</pre> + <p> + Very noble was the part which Mrs. Margaret Breen performed in this Donner + tragedy, and very beautifully has that part been recorded by a woman's + hand. It is written so tenderly, so delicately, and with so much reverence + for the maternal love which alone sustained Mrs. Breen, that it can hardly + be improved. This account was published by its author, Mrs. Farnham, in + 1849, and is made the basis of the following sketch. With alterations here + and there, made for the sake of brevity, the article is as it was written: + </p> + <p> + There was no food in Starved Camp. There was nothing to eat save a few + seeds, tied in bits of cloth, that had been brought along by some one, and + the precious lump of sugar. There were also a few teaspoonfuls of tea. + They sat and lay by the fire most of the day, with what heavy hearts, who + shall know! They were upon about thirty feet of snow. The dead lay before + them, a ghastlier sight in the sunshine that succeeded the storm, than + when the dark clouds overhung them. They had no words of cheer to speak to + each other, no courage or hope to share, but those which pointed to a life + where hunger and cold could never come, and their benumbed faculties were + scarcely able to seize upon a consolation so remote from the thoughts and + wants that absorbed their whole being. + </p> + <p> + A situation like this will not awaken in common natures religious trust. + Under such protracted suffering, the animal outgrows the spiritual in + frightful disproportion. Yet the mother's sublime faith, which had brought + her thus far through her agonies, with a heart still warm toward those who + shared them, did not fail her now. She spoke gently to one and another; + asked her husband to repeat the litany, and the children to join her in + the responses; and endeavored to fix their minds upon the time when the + relief would probably come. Nature, as unerringly as philosophy could have + done, taught her that the only hope of sustaining those about her, was to + set before them a termination to their sufferings. + </p> + <p> + What days and nights were those that went by while they waited! Life + waning visibly in those about her; not a morsel of food to offer them; her + own infant—and the little one that had been cherished and saved + through all by the mother now dead-wasting hourly into the more perfect + image of death; her husband worn to a skeleton; it needed the fullest + measure of exalted faith, of womanly tenderness and self-sacrifice, to + sustain her through such a season. She watched by night as well as by day. + She gathered wood to keep them warm. She boiled the handful of tea and + dispensed it to them, and when she found one sunken and speechless, she + broke with her teeth a morsel of the precious sugar, and put it in his + lips. She fed her babe freely on snow-water, and scanty as was the + wardrobe she had, she managed to get fresh clothing next to its skin two + or three times a week. Where, one asks in wonder and reverence, did she + get the strength and courage for all this? She sat all night by her + family, her elbows on her knees, brooding over the meek little victim that + lay there, watching those who slept, and occasionally dozing with a + fearful consciousness of their terrible condition always upon her. The + sense of peril never slumbered. Many times during the night she went to + the sleepers to ascertain if they all still breathed. She put her hand + under their blankets, and held it before the mouth. In this way she + assured herself that they were yet alive. But once her blood curdled to + find, on approaching her hand to the lips of one of her own children, + there was no warm breath upon it. She tried to open his mouth, and found + the jaws set. She roused her husband, "Oh! Patrick, man! arise and help + me! James is dying!" "Let him die!" said the miserable father, "he will be + better off than any of us." She was terribly shocked by this reply. In her + own expressive language, her heart stood still when she heard it. She was + bewildered, and knew not where to set her weary hands to work, but she + recovered in a few moments and began to chafe the breast and hands of the + perishing boy. She broke a bit of sugar, and with considerable effort + forced it between his teeth with a few drops of snow-water. She saw him + swallow, then a slight convulsive motion stirred his features, he + stretched his limbs feebly, and in a moment more opened his eyes and + looked upon her. How fervent were her thanks to the Great Father, whom she + forgot not day or night. + </p> + <p> + Thus she went on. The tea leaves were eaten, the seeds chewed, the sugar + all dispensed. The days were bright, and compared with the nights, + comfortable. Occasionally, when the sun shone, their voices were heard, + though generally they sat or lay in a kind of stupor from which she often + found it alarmingly difficult to arouse them. When the gray evening + twilight drew its deepening curtain over the cold glittering heavens and + the icy waste, and when the famishing bodies had been covered from the + frost that pinched them with but little less keenness than the unrelenting + hunger, the solitude seemed to rend her very brain. Her own powers + faltered. But she said her prayers over many times in the darkness as well + as the light, and always with renewed trust in Him who had not yet + forsaken her, and thus she sat out her weary watch. After the turning of + the night she always sat watching for the morning star, which seemed every + time she saw it rise clear in the cold eastern sky, to renew the promise, + "As thy day is, so shall thy strength be." + </p> + <p> + Their fire had melted the snow to a considerable depth, and they were + lying on the bank above. Thus they had less of its heat than they needed, + and found some difficulty in getting the fuel she gathered placed so it + would burn. One morning after she had hailed her messenger of promise, and + the light had increased so as to render objects visible in the distance, + she looked as usual over the white expanse that lay to the south-west, to + see if any dark moving specks were visible upon its surface. Only the + tree-tops, which she had scanned so often as to be quite familiar with + their appearance, were to be seen. With a heavy heart she brought herself + back from that distant hope to consider what was immediately about her. + The fire had sunk so far away that they had felt but little of its warmth + the last two nights, and casting her eyes down into the snow-pit, whence + it sent forth only a dull glow, she thought she saw the welcome face of + beloved mother Earth. It was such a renewing sight after their long, + freezing separation from it She immediately aroused her eldest son, John, + and with a great deal of difficulty, and repeating words of cheer and + encouragement, brought him to understand that she wished him to descend by + one of the tree-tops which had fallen in so as to make a sort of ladder, + and see if they could reach the naked earth, and if it were possible for + them all to go down. She trembled with fear at the vacant silence in which + he at first gazed at her, but at length, after she had told him a great + many times, he said "Yes, mother," and went. + </p> + <p> + He reached the bottom safely, and presently spoke to her. There was naked, + dry earth under his feet; it was warm, and he wished her to come down. She + laid her baby beside some of the sleepers, and descended. Immediately she + determined upon taking them all down. How good, she thought, as she + descended the boughs, was the God whom she trusted. By perseverance, by + entreaty, by encouragement, and with her own aid, she got them into this + snug shelter. + </p> + <p> + Relief came not, and as starvation crept closer and closer to himself and + those about him, Patrick Breen determined that it was his duty to employ + the means of sustaining life which God seemed to have placed before them. + The lives of all might be saved by resorting to such food as others, in + like circumstances, had subsisted upon. Mrs. Breen, however, declared that + she would die, and see her children die, before her life or theirs should + be preserved by such means. If ever the father gave to the dying children, + it was without her consent or knowledge. She never tasted, nor knew of her + children partaking. Mrs. Farnham says that when Patrick Breen ascended to + obtain the dreadful repast, his wife, frozen with horror, hid her face in + her hands, and could not look up. She was conscious of his return, and of + something going on about the fire, but she could not bring herself to + uncover her eyes till all had subsided again into silence. Her husband + remarked that perhaps they were wrong in rejecting a means of sustaining + life of which others had availed themselves, but she put away the + suggestion so fearfully that it was never renewed, nor acted upon by any + of her family. She and her children were now, indeed, reaching the utmost + verge of life. A little more battle with the grim enemies that had pursued + them so relentlessly, twenty-four, or at most forty-eight hours of such + warfare, and all would be ended. The infants still breathed, but were so + wasted they could only be moved by raising them bodily with the hands. It + seemed as if even their light weight would have dragged the limbs from + their bodies. Occasionally, through the day, she ascended the tree to look + out. It was an incident now, and seemed to kindle more life than when it + only required a turn of the head or a glance of the eye to tell that there + was no living thing near them. She could no longer walk on the snow, but + she had still strength enough to crawl from tree to tree to gather a few + boughs, which she threw along before her to the pit, and piled them in to + renew the fire. The eighth day was passed. On the ninth morning she + ascended to watch for her star of mercy. Clear and bright it stood over + against her beseeching gaze, set in the light liquid blue that overflows + the pathway of the opening day. She prayed earnestly as she gazed, for she + knew that there were but few hours of life in those dearest to her. If + human aid came not that day, some eyes, that would soon look imploringly + into hers, would be closed in death before that star would rise again. + Would she herself, with all her endurance and resisting love, live to see + it? Were they at length to perish? Great God! should it be permitted that + they, who had been preserved through so much, should die at last so + miserably? + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were dim, and her sight wavering. She could not distinguish trees + from men on the snow, but had they been near, she could have heard them, + for her ear had grown so sensitive that the slightest unaccustomed noise + arrested her attention. She went below with a heavier heart than ever + before. She had not a word of hope to answer the languid, inquiring + countenances that were turned to her face, and she was conscious that it + told the story of her despair. Yet she strove with some half-insane words + to suggest that somebody would surely come to them that day. Another would + be too late, and the pity of men's hearts and the mercy of God would + surely bring them. The pallor of death seemed already to be stealing over + the sunken countenances that surrounded her, and, weak as she was, she + could remain below but a few minutes together. She felt she could have + died had she let go her resolution at any time within the last forty-eight + hours. They repeated the Litany. The responses came so feebly that they + were scarcely audible, and the protracted utterances seemed wearisome. At + last it was over, and they rested in silence. + </p> + <p> + The sun mounted high and higher in the heavens, and when the day was three + or four hours old she placed her trembling feet again upon the ladder to + look out once more. The corpses of the dead lay always before her as she + reached the top-the mother and her son, and the little boy, whose remains + she could not even glance at since they had been mutilated. The blanket + that covered them could not shut out the horror of the sight. + </p> + <p> + The rays of the sun fell on her with a friendly warmth, but she could not + look into the light that flooded the white expanse. Her eyes lacked + strength and steadiness, and she rested herself against a tree and + endeavored to gather her wandering faculties in vain. The enfeebled will + could no longer hold rule over them. She had broken perceptions, fragments + of visions, contradictory and mixed-former mingled with latter times. + Recollections of plenty and rural peace came up from her clear, tranquil + childhood, which seemed to have been another state of existence; flashes + of her latter life-its comfort and abundance-gleams of maternal pride in + her children who had been growing up about her to ease and independence. + </p> + <p> + She lived through all the phases which her simple life had ever worn, in + the few moments of repose after the dizzy effort of ascending; as the thin + blood left her whirling brain and returned to its shrunken channels, she + grew more clearly conscious of the terrible present, and remembered the + weary quest upon which she came. It was not the memory of thought, it was + that of love, the old tugging at the heart that had never relaxed long + enough to say, "Now I am done; I can bear no more!" The miserable ones + down there—for them her wavering life came back; at thought of them + she turned her face listlessly the way it had so often gazed. But this + time something caused it to flush as if the blood, thin and cold as it + was, would burst its vessels! What was it? Nothing that she saw, for her + eyes were quite dimmed by the sudden access of excitement! It was the + sound of voices! By a superhuman effort she kept herself from falling! Was + it reality or delusion? She must at least live to know the truth. It came + again and again. She grew calmer as she became more assured, and the first + distinct words she heard uttered were, "There is Mrs. Breen alive yet, + anyhow!" Three men were advancing toward her. She knew that now there + would be no more starving. Death was repelled for this time from the + precious little flock he had so long threatened, and she might offer up + thanksgiving unchecked by the dreads and fears that had so long frozen + her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Rescue + California Aroused + A Yerba Buena Newspaper + Tidings of Woe + A Cry of Distress + Noble Generosity + Subscriptions for the Donner Party + The First and Second Reliefs + Organization of the Third + The Dilemma + Voting to Abandon a Family + The Fatal Ayes + John Stark's Bravery + Carrying the Starved Children + A Plea for the Relief Party. +</pre> + <p> + Foster and Eddy, it will be remembered, were of the fifteen who composed + the "Forlorn Hope." Foster was a man of strong, generous impulses, and + great determination. His boy was at Donner Lake, and his wife's mother and + brother. He hardly took time to rest and recruit his wasted strength + before he began organizing a party to go to their rescue. His efforts were + ably seconded by W. H. Eddy, whose wife and daughter had perished, but + whose boy was still alive at the cabins. + </p> + <p> + California was thoroughly aroused over tidings which had come from the + mountains. It was difficult to get volunteers to undertake the journey + over the Sierra, but horses, mules, provisions, and good wages were + allowed all who would venture the perilous trip. The trouble with Mexico + had caused many of the able-bodied citizens of California to enlist in the + service. Hence it was that it was so difficult to organize relief parties. + </p> + <p> + The following extracts are made from the California Star, a newspaper + published at "Yerba Buena," as San Francisco was then called. They do + justice to the sentiment of the people of California, and indicate + something of the willingness of the pioneers to aid the Donner Party. From + the Star of January 16, 1847, is taken the following article, which + appeared as an editorial: + </p> + <p> + "Emigrants on the Mountains." + </p> + <p> + "It is probably not generally known to the people that there is now in the + California mountains, in a most distressing situation, a party of + emigrants from the United States, who were prevented from crossing the + mountains by an early, heavy fall of snow. The party consists of about + sixty persons—men, women, and children. They were almost entirely + out of provisions when they reached the foot of the mountains, and but for + the timely succor afforded them by Capt. J. A. Sutter, one of the most + humane and liberal men in California, they must have all perished in a few + days. Capt. Sutter, as soon as he ascertained their situation, sent five + mules loaded with provisions to them. A second party was dispatched with + provisions for them, but they found the mountains impassable in + consequence of the snow. We hope that our citizens will do something for + the relief of these unfortunate people." + </p> + <p> + From the same source, under date of February 6, 1847, is taken the + following: + </p> + <p> + "Public Meeting." + </p> + <p> + "It will be recollected that in a previous number of our paper, we called + the attention of our citizens to the situation of a company of unfortunate + emigrants now in the California mountains. For the purpose of making their + situation more fully known to the people, and of adopting measures for + their relief, a public meeting was called by the Honorable Washington A. + Bartlett, alcalde of the town, on Wednesday evening last. The citizens + generally attended, and in a very short time the sum of $800 was + subscribed to purchase provisions, clothing, horses, and mules to bring + the emigrants in. Committees were appointed to call on those who could not + attend the meeting, and there is no doubt but that $500 or $600 more will + be raised. This speaks well for Yerba Buena." + </p> + <p> + One other extract is quoted from the Star of February 13, 1847: + </p> + <p> + "Company Left." + </p> + <p> + "A company of twenty men left here on Sunday last for the California + mountains, with provisions, clothing, etc., for the suffering emigrants + now there. The citizens of this place subscribed about $1,500 for their + relief, which was expended for such articles as the emigrants would be + most likely to need. Mr. Greenwood, an old mountaineer, went with the + company as pilot. If it is possible to cross the mountains, they will get + to the emigrants in time to save them." + </p> + <p> + These three articles may aid the reader in better understanding what has + heretofore been said about the organization of the relief parties. It will + be remembered that James F. Reed and William McCutchen first procured + animals and provisions from Capt. Sutter, attempted to cross the + mountains, found the snow impassable, cached their provisions, and + returned to the valleys. Reed, as described in his letter to the Rural + Press, went to San Jose, Cal., and thence to Yerba Buena. McCutchen went + to Napa and Sonoma, and awakened such an interest that a subscription of + over $500 was subscribed for the emigrants, besides a number of horses and + mules. Lieut. W. L. Maury and M. G. Vallejo headed this subscription, and + $500 was promised to Greenwood if he succeeded in raising a company, and + in piloting them over the mountains. In order to get men, Greenwood and + McCutchen went to Yerba Buena, arriving there almost at the same time with + Reed. The above notices chronicle the events which succeeded the + announcement of their mission. The funds and supplies contributed were + placed in charge of Lieut. Woodworth. This party set out immediately, and + their journey has been described. They form the second relief party, + because immediately upon the arrival of the seven who survived of the + "Forlorn Hope," Capt. Tucker's party had been organized at Johnson's and + Sutter's, and had reached Dormer Lake first. + </p> + <p> + When Foster and Eddy attempted to form a relief party, they found the same + difficulty in securing volunteers which others had encountered. It was + such a terrible undertaking, that no man cared to risk his life in the + expedition. + </p> + <p> + Captain J. B. Hull, of the United States navy, and Commander of the + Northern District of California, furnished Foster and Eddy with horses and + provisions. Setting out from Johnson's ranch, they arrived at Woodworth's + camp in the afternoon. During that very night two of Reed's men came to + the camp, and brought news that Reed and a portion of his party were a + short distance back in the mountains. When Reed and his companions were + brought into camp, and it was ascertained that fourteen people had been + left in the snow, without food, the third relief party was at once + organized. The great danger and suffering endured by those who had + composed the first and second relief parties, prevented men from + volunteering. On this account greater honor is due those who determined to + peril their lives to save the emigrants. Hiram Miller, although weak and + exhausted with the fatigues and starvation he had just undergone in the + second relief party, joined Messrs. Foster and Eddy. These three, with Wm. + Thompson, John Stark, Howard Oakley, and Charles Stone, set out from + Woodworth's camp the next morning after Reed's arrival. It was agreed that + Stark, Oakley, and Stone were to remain with the sufferers at Starved + Camp, supply them with food, and conduct them to Woodworth's camp. Foster, + Eddy, Thompson, and Miller were to press forward to the relief of those at + Donner Lake. The three men, therefore, whose voices reached Mrs. Breen, + were Stark, Oakley, and Stone. + </p> + <p> + When these members of the third relief party reached the deep, well-like + cavity in which were the seven Breens, the three Graves children, and Mary + Donner, a serious question arose. None of the eleven, except Mrs. Breen + and John Breen, were able to walk. A storm appeared to be gathering upon + the mountains, and the supply of provisions was very limited. The lonely + situation, the weird, desolate surroundings, the appalling scenes at the + camp, and above all, the danger of being overtaken by a snow-storm, filled + the minds of Oakley and Stone with terror. When it was found that nine out + of the eleven people must be carried over the snow, it is hardly to be + wondered at that a proposition was made to leave a portion of the + sufferers. It was proposed to take the three Graves children and Mary + Donner. These four children would be quite a sufficient burden for the + three men, considering the snow over which they must travel. The Breens, + or at least such of them as could not walk, were to be abandoned. This was + equivalent to leaving the father, mother, and five children, because the + mother would not abandon any member of her family, and John, who alone + could travel, was in a semi-lifeless condition. The members of the third + relief party are said to have taken a vote upon the question. This scene + is described in the manuscript of Hon. James F. Breen: "Those who were in + favor of returning to the settlements, and leaving the Breens for a future + relief party (which, under the circumstances, was equivalent to the death + penalty), were to answer 'aye.' The question was put to each man by name, + and as the names were called, the dreadful 'aye' responded. John Stark's + name was the last one called, because he had, during the discussion of the + question, strongly opposed the proposition for abandonment, and it was + naturally supposed that when he found himself in so hopeless a minority he + would surrender. When his name was called, he made no answer until some + one said to him: 'Stark, won't you vote?' Stark, during all this + proceeding of calling the roll, had stood apart from his companions with + bowed head and folded arms. When he was thus directly appealed to, he + answered quickly and decidedly: "No, gentlemen, I will not abandon these + people. I am here on a mission of mercy, and I will not half do the work. + You can all go if you want to, but I shall stay by these people while they + and I live." + </p> + <p> + It was nobly said. If the Breens had been left at Starved Camp, even until + the return of Foster, Eddy, Miller, and Thompson from the lake, none would + have ever reached the settlements. In continuation of the above narration, + the following is taken from the manuscript of John Breen: "Stark was + finally left alone. To his great bodily strength, and unexcelled courage, + myself and others owe our lives. There was probably no other man in + California at that time, who had the intelligence, determination, and what + was absolutely necessary in that emergency, the immense physical powers of + John Stark. He was as strong as two ordinary men. On his broad shoulders, + he carried the provisions, most of the blankets, and most of the time some + of the weaker children. In regard to this, he would laughingly say that he + could carry them all, if there was room on his back, because they were so + light from starvation." + </p> + <p> + By every means in his power, Stark would cheer and encourage the poor + sufferers. Frequently he would carry one or two ahead a little way, put + them down, and return for the others. James F. Breen says: "I distinctly + remember that myself and Jonathan Graves were both carried by Stark, on + his back, the greater part of the journey." Others speak similarly. + </p> + <p> + Regarding this brave man, Dr. J. C. Leonard has contributed much valuable + information, from which is selected the following: + </p> + <p> + "John Stark was born in 1817, in Wayne County, Indiana. His father, + William Stark, came from Virginia, and was one of the first settlers of + Kentucky, arriving there about the same time as Daniel Boone. He married a + cousin of Daniel Boone, and they had a family of eight children. T. J. + Stark, the oldest son, now lives at French Corral, Nevada County, + California. John Stark, the younger brother, started from Monmouth County, + Illinois, in the spring of 1846, but taking the Fort Hall road, reached + California in safety. He was a powerfully built man, weighing two hundred + and twenty pounds. He was sheriff of Napa County for six years, and in + 1852 represented that county in the State Legislature. He died near + Calistoga, in 1875, of heart disease. His death was instantaneous, and + occurred while pitching hay from a wagon. He was the father of eleven + children, six of whom, with his wife, are now living." + </p> + <p> + Each one of the persons who were taken from Starved Camp by this man and + his two companions, reached Sutter's Fort in safety. James F. Breen had + his feet badly frozen, and afterwards burned while at the camp. No one had + any hope that they could be saved, and when the party reached the fort, a + doctor was sought to amputate them. None could be found, and kind nature + effected a cure which a physician would have pronounced impossible. + </p> + <p> + In concluding this chapter, it is quite appropriate to quote the + following, written by J. F. Breen: "No one can attach blame to those who + voted to leave part of the emigrants. It was a desperate case. Their idea + was to save as many as possible, and they honestly believed that by + attempting to save all, all would be lost. But this consideration—and + the further one that Stark was an entire stranger to every one in the + camps, not bound to them by any tie of blood or kindred, nor having any + hope of reward, except the grand consciousness of doing a noble act—makes + his conduct shine more lustrously in the eyes of every person who admires + nature's true and only nobility." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Arrival of the Third Relief + The Living and the Dead + Captain George Donner Dying + Mrs. Murphy's Words + Foster and Eddy at the Lake + Tamsen Donner and her Children + A Fearful Struggle + The Husband's Wishes + Walking Fourteen Miles + Wifely Devotion + Choosing Death + The Night Journey + An Unparalleled Ordeal + An Honored Name + Three Little Waifs + "And Our Parents are Dead." +</pre> + <p> + Eddy, Foster, Thompson, and Miller passed Nicholas Clark and John Baptiste + near the head of Donner Lake. These starving fugitives had journeyed thus + far in their desperate effort to cross the mountains. Of all those + encamped at Alder Creek the sole survivors now were George Donner, the + captain of the Donner Party, and his faithful wife, Tamsen Donner. Under + the snowdrifts which covered the valley, lay Jacob Donner, Elizabeth + Donner, Lewis Donner, Samuel Donner, Samuel Shoemaker, Joseph Rhinehart, + and James Smith. One more was soon to be added to the number. It was the + man whose name had been given to the company; the only one who died of a + lingering, painful disease. The injury of George Donner's hand had grown + into a feverish, virulent ulceration, which must have partaken of the + nature of erysipelas. At all events, mortification had set in, and when + the third relief party arrived it had reached his shoulder. In a few hours + at most he must die. + </p> + <p> + Foster's party found that much suffering had occurred at Donner Lake + during the tearful days which elapsed between Reed's departure and their + own arrival. Mrs. Lavina Murphy had charge of her son, Simon Murphy, her + grandchild, George Foster, of the child James Eddy, and of the three + little Donner girls, Frances, Georgia, and Eliza. All dwelt in the same + cabin, and with them was Lewis Keseberg. Foster and Eddy found all there, + save their own children. They were both dead. Keseberg has generally been + accused of the murder of little George Foster. Except Mrs. Murphy, the + oldest of those who were with Keseberg was only nine years of age. All + that the children know is that Keseberg took the child to bed with him one + night, and that it was dead next morning. One of the little ones who + survived—one whose memory has proven exceedingly truthful upon all + points wherein her evidence could be possibly substantiated—and who + is now Mrs. Georgia A. Babcock—gives the mildest version of this sad + affair which has ever appeared in print. She denies the story, so often + reiterated, that Keseberg took the child to bed with him and ate it up + before morning; but writes the following: "In the morning the child was + dead. Mrs. Murphy took it, sat down near the bed where my sister and + myself were lying, laid the little one on her lap, and made remarks to + other persons, accusing Keseberg of killing it. After a while he came, + took it from her, and hung it up in sight, inside the cabin, on the wall." + </p> + <p> + Foster, Eddy, Thompson, and Miller remained but a little while at the + mountain camp. During this time Mr. Foster had no opportunity to talk with + Mrs. Murphy save in Keseberg's presence. Afterwards, when the children + told him of the suspicions expressed in their presence by Mrs. Murphy, + Foster deeply regretted that he had not sought a private interview with + her, for the purpose of learning the reasons for her belief. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the relief party was to start back to the settlements. Eddy + was to carry Georgia Donner; Thompson, Frances Donner; Miller, Eliza + Donner; and Foster was to carry Simon Murphy. John Baptiste and Nicholas + Clark remained at the head of Donner Lake, and were to accompany the + party. This left Mr. and Mrs. Donner at Alder Creek, and Keseberg and Mrs. + Murphy at the cabins. Mrs. Murphy had cared for her children and her + grandchildren, and ministered to the wants of those around her, until she + was sick, exhausted, and utterly helpless. She could not walk. She could + scarcely rise from her bed. With all the tenderness of a son, Mr. Foster + gave her such provisions as he could leave, procured her wood, and did + whatever he was able to do to render her comfortable. He also promised to + return speedily, and with such assistance that he could carry her over the + summits to her children. + </p> + <p> + The very afternoon that the third relief party reached the cabins, Simon + Murphy discovered a woman wandering about in the snow as if lost. It + proved to be Mrs. Tamsen Donner. She had wearily traveled over the deep + snows from Alder Creek, as narrated in a previous chapter, to see her + children, and, if necessary, to protect their lives. Oh! the joy and the + pain of the meeting of those little ones and their mother. As they wound + their arms about her neck, kissed her lips, laughed in her eyes, and + twined their fingers in her hair, what a struggle must have been taking + place in her soul. As the pleading, upturned faces of her babies begged + her not to leave them, her very heart-strings must have been rent with + agony. Well may the voice quiver or the hand tremble that attempts to + portray the anguish of this mother during that farewell interview. From + the very first moment, her resolution to return to her husband remained + unshaken. The members of the relief party entreated her to go with her, + children and save her own life. They urged that there could only be a few + hours of life left in George Donner. This was so true that she once + ventured the request that they remain until she could return to Alder + Creek, and see if he were yet alive. The gathering storm-clouds, which had + hovered over the summit for days, compelled them to refuse this request. + An hour's delay might be fatal to all. + </p> + <p> + George Donner knew that he was dying, and had frequently urged his wife to + leave him, cross the mountains, and take care of her children. As she held + her darlings in her arms, it required no prophetic vision to disclose + pictures of sadness, of lonely childhood, of longing girlhood, of pillows + wet with tears, if these three little waifs were left to wander friendless + in California. She never expressed a belief that she would see that land + of promise beyond the Sierra. Often had her calm, earnest voice told them + of the future which awaited them, and so far as possible had she prepared + them to meet that future without the counsel or sympathy of father or + mother. + </p> + <p> + The night-shadows, creeping through the shivering pines, warned her of the + long, dreary way over which her tired feet must pass ere she reached her + dying husband's side. She is said to have appeared strangely composed. The + struggle was silent. The poor, bleeding heart brought not a single moan to + the lips. It was a choice between life, hope, and her clinging babes, or a + lonely vigil by a dying husband, and an unknown, shroudless death in the + wintry mountains. Her husband was sixty-three; he was well stricken in + years, and his life was fast ebbing away. If she returned through the + frosty night-winds, over the crisp, freezing snow, she would travel + fourteen miles that day. The strong, healthy men composing the relief + parties frequently could travel but five or six miles in a day. If she + made the journey, and found her husband was dead, she could have no hope + of returning on the morrow. She had suffered too long from hunger and + privation to hope to be able to return and overtake the relief party. It + was certain life or certain death. On the side of the former was maternal + love; on the side of the latter, wifely devotion. The whole wide range of + history can not produce a parallel example of adherence to duty, and to + the dictates of conjugal fidelity. With quick, convulsive pressure of her + little ones to her heart; with a hasty, soul-throbbing kiss upon the lips + of each; with a prayer that was stifled with a sob of agony, Tamsen Donner + hurried away to her husband. Through the gathering darkness, past the + shadowy sentinels of the forest, they watched with tearful eyes her + retreating form. As if she dared not trust another sight of the little + faces—as if to escape the pitiful wail of her darlings—she ran + straight forward until out of sight and hearing. She never once looked + back. + </p> + <p> + There are mental struggles which so absorb the being and soul that + physical terrors or tortures are unnoticed. Tamsen Donner's mind was + passing through such an ordeal. The fires of Moloch, the dreadful suttee, + were sacrifices which long religious education sanctioned, and in which + the devotees perished amidst the plaudits of admiring multitudes. This + woman had chosen a death of solitude, of hunger, of bitter cold, of + pain-racked exhaustion, and was actuated by only the pure principles of + wifely love. Already the death-damp was gathering on George Donner's brow. + At the utmost, she could hope to do no more than smooth the pillow of the + dying, tenderly clasp the fast-chilling hand, press farewell kisses upon + the whitening lips, and finally close the dear, tired eyes. For this, only + this, she was yielding life, the world, and her darling babes. Fitted by + culture and refinement to be an ornament to society, qualified by + education to rear her daughters to lives of honor and usefulness, how it + must have wrung her heart to allow her little ones to go unprotected into + a wilderness of strangers. But she could not leave her husband to die + alone. Rather solitude, better death, than desert the father of her + children. O, Land of the Sunset! let the memory of this wife's devotion be + ever enshrined in the hearts of your faithful daughters! In tablets thus + pure, engrave the name of Tamsen Donner. + </p> + <p> + When the June sunshine gladdened the Sacramento Valley, three little + barefooted girls walked here and there among the houses and tents of + Sutter's Fort. They were scantily clothed, and one carried a thin blanket. + At night they said their prayers, lay down in whatever tent they happened + to be, and, folding the blanket about them, fell asleep in each other's + arms. When they were hungry, they asked food of whomsoever they met. If + any one inquired who they were, they answered as their mother had taught + them: "We are the children of Mr. and Mrs. George Donner." But they added + something they had learned since. It was, "And our parents are dead." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + False Ideas about the Donner Party + Accused of Six Murders + Interviews with Lewis Keseberg + His Statement + An Educated German + A Predestined Fate + Keseberg's Lameness + Slanderous Reports + Covered with Snow + "Loathsome, Insipid, and Disgusting" + Longings toward Suicide + Tamsen Donner's Death + Going to Get the Treasure + Suspended over a Hidden Stream + "Where is Donner's Money?" + Extorting a Confession. +</pre> + <p> + Keseberg is one of the leading characters in the Donner Party. Usually, + his part in the tragedy has been considered the entire story. + Comparatively few people have understood that any except this one man ate + human flesh, or was a witness of any scene of horror. He has been loathed, + execrated, abhorred as a cannibal, a murderer, and a heartless fiend. In + the various published sketches which have from time to time been given to + the world, Lewis Keseberg has been charged with no less than six murders. + His cannibalism has been denounced as arising from choice, as growing out + of a depraved and perverted appetite, instead of being the result of + necessity. On the fourth of April, 1879, this strange man granted an + interview to the author, and in this and succeeding interviews he + reluctantly made a statement which was reduced to writing. "What is the + use," he would urge, "of my making a statement? People incline to believe + the most horrible reports concerning a man, and they will not credit what + I say in my own defense. My conscience is clear. I am an old man, and am + calmly awaiting my death. God is my judge, and it long ago ceased to + trouble me that people shunned and slandered me." + </p> + <p> + Keseberg is six feet in height, is well proportioned, and weighs from one + hundred and seventy-five to one hundred and eighty pounds. He is active, + vigorous, and of an erect, manly carriage, despite his years and his many + afflictions. He has clear blue eyes, regular features, light hair and + beard, a distinct, rapid mode of enunciation, a loud voice, and a somewhat + excited manner of speech. In conversing he looks one squarely and steadily + in the eye, and appears like an honest, intelligent German. He speaks and + writes German, French, Spanish, and English, and his selection of words + proves him a scholar. His face generally wears a determined, almost fierce + expression, but one is impressed with the thought that this appearance is + caused by his habitually standing on the defensive as against his + fellow-men. Since he has never before had an opportunity of speaking in + his own defense, it is perhaps fitting that his statement should be given + in his own language: + </p> + <p> + "My name is Lewis Keseberg. I was born in the city of Berleburg, Province + of Westphalia, in the Kingdom of Prussia, on the twenty-second of May, + 1814. I am therefore almost sixty-three years of age. I was married June + 22, 1842, came to the United States May 22, 1844, and emigrated to + California in 1846 with the Donner Party. I never have made a statement + concerning my connection with that Party to any one connected with the + press. It is with the utmost horror that I revert to the scenes of + suffering and unutterable misery endured during that journey. I have + always endeavored to put away from me all thoughts or recollections of + those terrible events. Time is the best physician, and would, I trusted, + heal the wounds produced by those days of torture; yet my mind to-day + recoils with undiminished horror as I endeavor to speak of this dreadful + subject. Heretofore I have never attempted to refute the villainous + slanders which have been circulated and published about me. I feel it my + duty to make this statement, however, because I am convinced of your + willingness to do justice to all who were concerned in that dreadful + affair, and heretofore I have been treated with gross injustice. + </p> + <p> + "If I believe in God Almighty having anything to do with the affairs of + men, I believe that the misfortune which overtook the Donner Party, and + the terrible part I was compelled to take in the great tragedy, were + predestined. On the Hastings Cut-off we were twenty-eight days in going + twenty-one miles. Difficulty and disaster hovered about us from the time + we entered upon this cut-off." + </p> + <p> + "One day, while we were traveling on Goose Creek, we saw so many wild + geese that I took my shotgun and went hunting. Ordinarily I am not + superstitious, but on this morning I felt an overwhelming sense of + impending calamity. I mentioned my premonitions to Mrs. Murphy before + starting on the hunt. Becoming excited with the sport, and eagerly + watching the game, I stepped down a steep bank. Some willows had been + burned off, and the short, sharp stubs were sticking up just where I + stepped. I had on buckskin moccasins, and one of these stubs ran into the + ball of my foot, between the bones and the toes. From this time, until we + arrived at Donner Lake, I was unable to walk, or even to put my foot to + the ground. The foot became greatly swollen and inflamed, and was + exceedingly painful. One day, at Donner Lake, one of my companions, at my + earnest request, lanced my foot on the top. It discharged freely, and some + days afterwards, in washing it, I found a hard substance protruding from + the wound, and obtaining a pair of forceps, succeeded in extracting a + piece of the willow stub, one and a half inches in length. It had + literally worked up through my foot. I mention this particularly, because + I have been frequently accused of remaining at the Donner cabins from + selfish or sinister motives, when in fact I was utterly unable to join the + relief parties." + </p> + <p> + It is proper to mention, in corroboration of Keseberg's statement + regarding his lameness, that several of the survivors remembered, and had + related the circumstance prior to the interview. It is a + well-authenticated fact that he was very lame, and could not walk, yet, as + a specimen of the abuse which has been heaped upon the man, a quotation is + introduced from Thornton's "Oregon and California." In speaking of the + departure of Foster and Eddy, Thornton says: "There were in camp Mrs. + Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Gorge Donner, and Keseberg—the latter, it was + believed, having far more strength to travel than others who had arrived + in the settlements. But he would not travel, for the reason, as was + suspected, that he wished to remain behind for the purpose of obtaining + the property and money of the dead." Keseberg's statement continues: + </p> + <p> + "When we reached the lake, we lost our road, and owing to the depth of the + snow on the mountains; were compelled to abandon our wagons, and pack our + goods upon oxen. The cattle, unused to such burdens, caused great delay by + 'bucking' and wallowing in the snow. There was also much confusion as to + what articles should be taken and what abandoned. One wanted a box of + tobacco carried along; another, a bale of calico, and some thing and some + another. But for this delay we would have passed the summit and pressed + forward to California. Owing to my lameness, I was placed on horseback, + and my foot was tied up to the saddle in a sort of sling. Near evening we + were close to the top of the dividing ridge. It was cold and chilly, and + everybody was tired with the severe exertions of the day. Some of the + emigrants sat down to rest, and declared they could go no further. I + begged them for God's sake to get over the ridge before halting. Some one, + however, set fire to a pitchy pine tree, and the flames soon ascended to + its topmost branches. The women and children gathered about this fire to + warm themselves. Meantime the oxen were rubbing off their packs against + the trees. The weather looked very threatening, and I exhorted them to go + on until the summit was reached. I foresaw the danger plainly and + unmistakably. Only the strongest men, however, could go ahead and break + the road, and it would have taken a determined man to induce the party to + leave the fire. Had I been well, and been able to push ahead over the + ridge, some, if not all, would have followed. As it was, all lay down on + the snow, and from exhaustion were soon asleep. In the night, I felt + something impeding my breath. A heavy weight seemed to be resting upon me. + Springing up to a sitting posture, I found myself covered with + freshly-fallen snow. The camp, the cattle, my companions, had all + disappeared. All I could see was snow everywhere. I shouted at the top of + my voice. Suddenly, here and there, all about me, heads popped up through + the snow. The scene was not unlike what one might imagine at the + resurrection, when people rise up out of the earth. The terror amounted to + a panic. The mules were lost, the cattle strayed away, and our further + progress rendered impossible. The rest you probably know. We returned to + the lake, and prepared, as best we could, for the winter. I was unable to + build a cabin, because of my lameness, and so erected a sort of brush shed + against one side of Breen's cabin. + </p> + <p> + "When Reed's relief party left the cabins, Mr. Reed left me a half + teacupful of flour, and about half a pound of jerked beef. It was all he + could give. Mrs. Murphy, who was left with me, because too weak and + emaciated to walk, had no larger portion. Reed had no animosity toward me. + He found me too weak to move. He washed me, combed my hair, and treated me + kindly. Indeed, he had no cause to do otherwise. Some of my portion of the + flour brought by Stanton from Sutter's Fort I gave to Reed's children, and + thus saved their lives. When he left me, he promised to return in two + weeks and carry me over the mountains. When this party left, I was not + able to stand, much less to walk." + </p> + <p> + "A heavy storm came on in a few days after the last relief party left. + Mrs. George Donner had remained with her sick husband in their camp, six + or seven miles away. Mrs. Murphy lived about a week after we were left + alone. When my provisions gave out, I remained four days before I could + taste human flesh. There was no other resort—it was that or death. + My wife and child had gone on with the first relief party. I knew not + whether they were living or dead. They were penniless and friendless in a + strange land. For their sakes I must live, if not for my own. Mrs. Murphy + was too weak to revive. The flesh of starved beings contains little + nutriment. It is like feeding straw to horses. I can not describe the + unutterable repugnance with which I tasted the first mouthful of flesh. + There is an instinct in our nature that revolts at the thought of + touching, much less eating, a corpse. It makes my blood curdle to think of + it! It has been told that I boasted of my shame—said that I enjoyed + this horrid food, and that I remarked that human flesh was more palatable + than California beef. This is a falsehood. It is a horrible, revolting + falsehood. This food was never otherwise than loathsome, insipid, and + disgusting. For nearly two months I was alone in that dismal cabin. No one + knows what occurred but myself—no living being ever before was told + of the occurrences. Life was a burden. The horrors of one day succeeded + those of the preceding. Five of my companions had died in my cabin, and + their stark and ghastly bodies lay there day and night, seemingly gazing + at me with their glazed and staring eyes. I was too weak to move them had + I tried. The relief parties had not removed them. These parties had been + too hurried, too horror-stricken at the sight, too fearful lest an hour's + delay might cause them to share the same fate. I endured a thousand + deaths. To have one's suffering prolonged inch by inch, to be deserted, + forsaken, hopeless; to see that loathsome food ever before my eyes, was + almost too much for human endurance. I am conversant with four different + languages. I speak and write them with equal fluency; yet in all four I do + not find words enough to express the horror I experienced during those two + months, or what I still feel when memory reverts to the scene. Suicide + would have been a relief, a happiness, a godsend! Many a time I had the + muzzle of my pistol in my mouth and my finger on the trigger, but the + faces of my helpless, dependent wife and child would rise up before me, + and my hand would fall powerless. I was not the cause of my misfortunes, + and God Almighty had provided only this one horrible way for me to + subsist." + </p> + <p> + Did you boil the flesh? + </p> + <p> + "Yes! But to go into details—to relate the minutiae—is too + agonizing! I can not do it! Imagination can supply these. The necessary + mutilation of the bodies of those who had been my friends, rendered the + ghastliness of my situation more frightful. When I could crawl about and + my lame foot was partially recovered, I was chopping some wood one day and + the ax glanced and cut off my heel. The piece of flesh grew back in time, + but not in its former position, and my foot is maimed to this day. + </p> + <p> + "A man, before he judges me, should be placed in a similar situation; but + if he were, it is a thousand to one he would perish. A constitution of + steel alone could endure the deprivation and misery. At this time I was + living in the log-cabin with the fireplace. One night I was awakened by a + scratching sound over my head. I started up in terror, and listened + intently for the noise to be repeated. It came again. It was the wolves + trying to get into the cabin to eat me and the dead bodies." + </p> + <p> + "At midnight, one cold, bitter night, Mrs. George Donner came to my door. + It was about two weeks after Reed had gone, and my loneliness was + beginning to be unendurable. I was most happy to her the sound of a human + voice. Her coming was like that of an angel from heaven. But she had not + come to bear me company. Her husband had died in her arms. She had + remained by his side until death came, and then had laid him out and + hurried away. He died at nightfall, and she had traveled over the snow + alone to my cabin. She was going, alone, across the mountains. She was + going to start without food or guide. She kept saying, 'My children! I + must see my children!' She feared he would not survive, and told me she + had some money in her tent. It was too heavy for her to carry. She said, + 'Mr. Keseberg, I confide this to your care.' She made me promise sacredly + that I would get the money and take it to her children in case she + perished and I survived. She declared she would start over the mountains + in the morning. She said, 'I am bound to go to my children.' She seemed + very cold, and her clothes were like ice. I think she had got in the creek + in coming. She said she was very hungry, but refused the only food I could + offer. She had never eaten the loathsome flesh. She finally lay down, and + I spread a feather-bed and some blankets over her. In the morning she was + dead. I think the hunger, the mental suffering, and the icy chill of the + preceding night, caused her death. I have often been accused of taking her + life. Before my God, I swear this is untrue! Do you think a man would be + such a miscreant, such a damnable fiend, such a caricature on humanity, as + to kill this lone woman? There were plenty of corpses lying around. He + would only add one more corpse to the many!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh! the days and weeks of horror which I passed in that camp! I had no + hope of help or of being rescued, until I saw the green grass coming up by + the spring on the hillside, and the wild geese coming to nibble it. The + birds were coming back to their breeding grounds, and I felt that I could + kill them for food. I had plenty of guns and ammunition in camp. I also + had plenty of tobacco and a good meerschaum pipe, and almost the only + solace I enjoyed was smoking. In my weak condition it took me two or three + hours every day to get sufficient wood to keep my fire going." + </p> + <p> + "Some time after Mrs. Donner's death, I thought I had gained sufficient + strength to redeem the pledge I had made her before her death. I started + to go to the camps at Alder Creek to get the money. I had a very difficult + journey. The wagons of the Donners were loaded with tobacco, powder, caps, + shoes, school-books, and dry-goods. This stock was very valuable, and had + it reached California, would have been a fortune to the Donners. I + searched carefully among the bales and bundles of goods, and found + five-hundred and thirty-one dollars. Part of this sum was silver, part + gold. The silver I buried at the foot of a pine tree, a little way from + the camp. One of the lower branches of another tree reached down close to + the ground, and appeared to point to the spot. I put the gold in my + pocket, and started to return to my cabin. I had spent one night at the + Donner tents. On my return I became lost. When it was nearly dark, in + crossing a little flat, the snow suddenly gave way under my feet, and I + sank down almost to my armpits. By means of the crust on top of the snow, + I kept myself suspended by throwing out my arms. A stream of water flowed + underneath the place over which I had been walking, and the snow had + melted on the underside until it was not strong enough to support my + weight. I could not touch bottom with my feet, and so could form no idea + of the depth of the stream. By long and careful exertion I managed to draw + myself backward and up on the snow. I then went around on the hillside, + and continued my journey. At last, just at dark, completely exhausted and + almost dead, I came in sight of the Graves cabin. I shall never forget my + joy at sight of that log-cabin. I felt that I was no longer lost, and + would at least have shelter. Some time after dark I reached my own cabin. + My clothes were wet by getting in the creek, and the night was so cold + that my garments were frozen into sheets of ice. I was so weary, and + chilled, and numbed, that I did not build up a fire, or attempt to get + anything to eat, but rolled myself up in the bed-clothes and tried to get + warm. Nearly all night I lay there shivering with cold; and when I finally + slept, I slept very soundly. I did not wake up until quite late the next + morning. To my utter astonishment my camp was in the most inexplicable + confusion. My trunks were broken open, and their contents were scattered + everywhere. Everything about the cabin was torn up and thrown about the + floor. My wife's jewelry, my cloak, my pistol and ammunition were missing. + I supposed Indians had robbed my camp during my absence. Suddenly I was + startled by the sound of human voices. I hurried up to the surface of the + snow, and saw white men coming toward the cabin. I was overwhelmed with + joy and gratitude at the prospect of my deliverance. I had suffered so + much, and for so long a time, that I could scarcely believe my senses. + Imagine my astonishment upon their arrival to be greeted, not with a 'good + morning' or a kind word, but with the gruff, insolent demand, 'Where is + Donner's money?'" + </p> + <p> + "I told them they ought to give me something to eat, and that I would talk + with them afterwards, but no, they insisted that I should tell them about + Donner's money. I asked them who they were, and where they came from, but + they replied by threatening to kill me if I did not give up the money. + They threatened to hang or shoot me, and at last I told them I had + promised Mrs. Donner that I would carry her money to her children, and I + proposed to do so, unless shown some authority by which they had a better + claim. This so exasperated them, that they acted as though they were going + to kill me. I offered to let them bind me as a prisoner, and take me + before the alcalde at Sutter's Fort, and I promised that I would then tell + all I knew about the money. They would listen to nothing, however, and + finally I told them where they would find the silver buried, and gave them + the gold. After I had done this, they showed me a document from Alcalde + Sinclair, by which they were to receive a certain proportion of all moneys + and property which they rescued." + </p> + <p> + The men spoken of by Keseberg, were the fourth relief party. Their names + were, Captain Fallon, William M. Foster, John Rhodes, J. Foster, R. P. + Tucker, E. Coffeemire, and—Keyser. William M. Foster had recrossed + the mountains the second time, hoping to rescue his wife's mother, Mrs. + Murphy. Alas! he found only her mutilated remains. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XX. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Dates of the Rescues + Arrival of the Fourth Relief + A Scene Beggaring Description + The Wealth of the Donners + An Appeal to the Highest Court + A Dreadful Shock + Saved from a Grizzly Bear + A Trial for Slander + Keseberg Vindicated + Two Kettles of Human Blood + The Enmity of the Relief Party + "Born under an Evil Star" + "Stone Him! Stone Him!" + Fire and Flood + Keseberg's Reputation for Honesty + A Prisoner in his own House + The Most Miserable of Men +</pre> + <p> + December 16, 1846, the fifteen composing the "Forlorn Hope," left Donner + Lake. January 17, 1847, as they reached Johnson's ranch; and February 5th + Capt. Tucker's party started to the assistance of the emigrants. This + first relief arrived February 19th at the cabins; the second relief, or + Reed's party, arrived March 1st; the third, or Foster's, about the middle + of March; and the fourth, or Fallon's, on the seventeenth of April. Upon + the arrival of Capt. Fallon's company, the sight presented at the cabins + beggars all description. Capt. R. P. Tucker, now of Goleta, Santa Barbara + County, Cal., endeavors, in his correspondence, to give a slight idea of + the scene. Human bodies, terribly mutilated, legs, arms, skulls, and + portions of remains, were scattered in every direction and strewn about + the camp. Mr. Foster found Mrs. Murphy's body with one of her limbs sawed + off, the saw still lying by her remains. It was such scenes as these which + gave this party their first abhorrence for Keseberg. The man was nowhere + to be seen, but a fresh track was discovered in the snow leading away from + the cabins toward the Dormer tents. The party pressed forward to Alder + Creek. Captain Tucker writes: "The dead bodies lay moldering around, being + all that was left to tell the tale of sorrow. On my first trip we had cut + down a large pine tree, and laid the goods of the Donners on this tree to + dry in the sun. These goods lay there yet, with the exception of those + which Reed's party had taken away." + </p> + <p> + George Donner was wealthy. His wealth consisted not merely of goods, as + many claim, but of a large amount of coin. Hiram Miller, of the relief + parties, is authority for the statement that Mr. Donner owned a quarter + section of land within the present city limits of Chicago. This land was + sold for ten thousand dollars, shortly before Mr. Donner started for + California. Mr. Allen Francis, who has been mentioned as the very best + authority concerning this, family, camped with them on the evening of + their first night's journey out of Springfield, Illinois, saw Mr. Donner's + money, and thinks there was ten thousand dollars. Mrs. F. E. Bond, of Elk + Grove, Sacramento County, California, does not remember the exact amount, + but knows that Mr. Donner started with a great deal of gold, because she + helped make the belts in which it was to be carried in crossing the + plains. The relief parties always understood there was at Donner's camp a + large sum of money, estimated at from six to fourteen thousand dollars. It + is not disputed that Halloran left about fifteen hundred dollars to this + family. Yet Capt. Fallon's party could find no money. It was clear to + their minds that some one had robbed the Donner tents. + </p> + <p> + Remaining over night, thoroughly searching in every place where the + supposed money could be concealed, this party returned to Donner Lake. On + their way they found the same mysterious track, also returning to the + cabins. They probably discovered Keseberg in about the manner described. + It is plain to be seen that they regarded him as the murderer of Mrs. + Donner. In forcing him to tell what he had done with the money, they, too, + claim to have choked him, to have put a rope around his neck, and to have + threatened to hang him. On the other hand, if Keseberg's statement be + accepted as truth, it is easy to understand why he refused to surrender + the money to men who treated him from the outset as a murderer and a + robber. + </p> + <p> + Let the God to whom Lewis Keseberg appeals be his judge. It is not the + part of this book to condemn or acquit him. Most of the fourth relief + party have already gone before the bar at which Keseberg asks to be tried. + Capt. Tucker is about the only available witness, and his testimony is far + more lenient than the rumors and falsehoods usually published. + </p> + <p> + If Keseberg be guilty of any or of all crimes, it will presently be seen + that the most revengeful being on earth could not ask that another drop be + added to his cup of bitterness. His statement continues: + </p> + <p> + "These men treated me with the greatest unkindness. Mr. Tucker was the + only one who took my part or befriended me. When they started over the + mountains, each man carried two bales of goods. They had silks, calicoes, + and delames from the Donners, and other articles of great value. Each man + would carry one bundle a little way, lay it down, and come back and get + the other bundle. In this way they passed over the snow three times. I + could not keep up with them because I was so weak, but managed to come up + to their camp every night. One day I was dragging myself slowly along + behind the party, when I came to a place which had evidently been used as + a camping-ground by some of the previous parties. Feeling very tired, I + thought it would be a good place to make some coffee. Kindling a fire, I + filled my coffee-pot with fresh snow and sat waiting for it to melt and + get hot. Happening to cast my eyes carelessly around, I discovered a + little piece of calico protruding from the snow. Half thoughtlessly, half + out of idle curiosity, I caught hold of the cloth, and finding it did not + come readily, I gave it a strong pull. I had in my hands the body of my + dead child Ada! She had been buried in the snow, which, melting down, had + disclosed a portion of her clothing. I thought I should go frantic! It was + the first intimation I had of her death, and it came with such a shock!" + </p> + <p> + "Just as we were getting out of the snow, I happened to be sitting in camp + alone one afternoon. The men were hunting, or attending to their goods. I + was congratulating myself upon my escape from the mountains, when I was + startled by a snuffling, growling noise, and looking up, I saw a large + grizzly bear only a few feet away. I knew I was too weak to attempt to + escape, and so remained where I sat, expecting every moment he would + devour me. Suddenly there was the report of a gun, and the bear fell dead. + Mr. Foster had discovered the animal, and slipping up close to camp, had + killed it." + </p> + <p> + When the party arrived at Sutter's Fort, they took no pains to conceal + their feelings toward Keseberg. Some of the men openly accused him of Mrs. + Donner's murder. Keseberg, at the suggestion of Captain Sutter, brought + action against Captain Fallon, Ned Coffeemire, and the others, for + slander. The case was tried before Alcalde Sinclair, and the jury gave + Keseberg a verdict of one dollar damages. The old alcalde records are not + in existence, but some of the survivors remember the circumstance, and + Mrs. Samuel Kyburz, now of Clarksville, El Dorado County, was a witness at + the trial. If Keseberg was able to vindicate himself in an action for + slander against the evidence of all the party, it is clear that such + evidence was not adduced as has frequently appeared in books. For + instance, in Captain Fallon's report of this trip, he alleges that "in the + cabin with Keseberg were found two kettles of human blood, in all supposed + to be over one gallon." Had this been proven, no jury would have found for + Keseberg. Fresh blood could not have been obtained from starved bodies, + and had the blood been found, Keseberg would have been adjudged a + murderer. + </p> + <p> + Speaking upon this point, Keseberg denies the assertion that any blood was + discovered, calls attention to the length of time Mrs. Donner had been + dead, to the readiness with which blood coagulates, and adds that not a + witness testified to such a circumstance at the trial. Why should Keseberg + murder Mrs. Donner? If he wanted her money, it was only necessary to allow + her to go out into the mountains alone, without provisions, without any + one to point out the way, and perish in the trackless snows. She could not + carry any considerable portion of her money with her, and he, had only to + go back to Alder Creek and secure the treasure. He bears witness that she + never tasted human flesh; that she would not partake of the food he + offered; how reasonable, then, the story of her death. The fourth relief + party expected to find a vast sum of money. One half was to be given them + for their trouble. They regarded the man Keseberg as the murderer of + George Foster, because of the reports given by the little children brought + out by the third relief. The father of this child was with both the third + and fourth reliefs. Arriving at the cabins, they were amazed and horrified + at the dreadful sights. Hastening to the tents, they found no money. Their + idea that Keseberg was a thief was confirmed by his disgorging the money + when threatened with death. There was much reason for their hatred of the + man who crossed the mountains with them, and this was intensified by their + being brought before Alcalde Sinclair and proven slanderers. Out of this + hatred has grown reports which time has magnified into the hideous + falsehoods which greet the ear from all directions. Keseberg may be + responsible for the death of Hardcoop, but urges in his defense that all + were walking, even to the women and the children. He says Hardcoop was not + missed until evening, and that it was supposed the old man would catch up + with the train during the night. The terrible dangers surrounding the + company, the extreme lateness of the season, the weakness of the oxen, and + the constant fear of lurking, hostile Indians, prevented him or any one + else from going back. Keseberg may be responsible for the death of + Wolfinger, of George Foster, of James Eddy, of Mrs. Murphy, and of Mrs. + Tamsen Donner, but the most careful searcher for evidence can not find the + slightest trace of proofs. In his own mournful language, he comes near the + truth when he says: + </p> + <p> + "I have been born under an evil star! Fate, misfortune, bad luck, + compelled me to remain at Donner Lake. If God would decree that I should + again pass through such an ordeal, I could not do otherwise than I did. My + conscience is free from reproach. Yet that camp has been the one burden of + my life. Wherever I have gone, people have cried, 'Stone him! stone him!' + Even the little children in the streets have mocked me and thrown stones + at me as I passed. Only a man conscious of his innocence, and clear in the + sight of God, would not have succumbed to the terrible things which have + been said of me—would not have committed suicide! Mortification, + disgrace, disaster, and unheard-of misfortune have followed and + overwhelmed me. I often think that the Almighty has singled me out, among + all the men on the face of the earth, in order to see how much hardship, + suffering, and misery a human being can bear!" + </p> + <p> + "Soon after my arrival at the Fort, I took charge of the schooner + Sacramento, and conveyed wheat from Sacramento to San Francisco, in + payment of Capt. Sutter's purchase of the Russian possessions. I worked + seven months for Sutter; but, although he was kind to me, I did not get my + money. I then went to Sonoma, and worked about the same length of time for + Gen. Vallejo. I had a good position and good prospects, but left for the + gold mines. Soon afterward I was taken sick, and for eight months was an + invalid. I then went to Sutter's Fort and started a boarding-house. I made + money rapidly. After a time I built a house south of the Fort, which cost + ten thousand dollars. In 1851 I purchased the Lady Adams hotel, in + Sacramento. It was a valuable property, and I finally sold it at auction + for a large sum of money. This money was to be paid the next day. The + deeds had already passed. That night the terrible fire of 1852 occurred, + and not only swept away the hotel, but ruined the purchaser, so that I + could not collect one cent. I went back to Sutter's Fort and started the + Phoenix Brewery. I succeeded, and acquired considerable property. I + finally sold out for fifty thousand dollars. I had concluded to take this + money, go back to Germany, and live quietly the rest of my days. The + purchaser went to San Francisco to draw the money. The sale was effected + eight days before the great flood of 1861-2. The flood came, and I lost + everything." + </p> + <p> + Thus, throughout his entire career, have business reverses followed Lewis + Keseberg. Several times he has been wealthy and honorably situated. At one + time he was a partner of Sam. Brannan, in a mammoth distillery at + Calistoga; and Mr. Brannan is one among many who speak in highest terms of + his honesty, integrity, and business capacity. On the thirtieth of + January, 1877, Phillipine Keseberg, his faithful wife, died. This was the + severest loss of all, as will presently be seen. + </p> + <p> + Eleven children were born to them, and four are now living. One of these, + Lillie, now lives in Sacramento with her husband. Another, Paulina, a + widow, resides in San Rafael. Bertha and Augusta live with the father at + Brighton, Sacramento County. Both these children are hopelessly idiotic. + Bertha is twenty-six years of age, and has never uttered an intelligible + word. Augusta is fifteen years old, weighs two hundred and five pounds, + and possesses only slight traces of intelligence. Teething spasms, + occurring when they were about two years old, is the cause of their + idiocy. Both are subject to frequent and violent spasms or epileptic fits. + They need constant care and attention. Should Bertha's hand fall into the + fire, she has not sufficient intelligence to withdraw it from the flames. + Both are helpless as children. The State provides for insane, but not for + idiots. Keseberg says a bill setting aside a ward in the State Asylum for + his two children, passed the Legislature, but received a pocket veto by + the Governor. Sacramento County gives them eighteen dollars a month. Their + helplessness and violence render it impossible to keep any nurse in charge + of them longer than a few days. Keseberg is very poor. He has employment + for perhaps three months during the year. While his wife lived, she took + care of these children; but now he has personally to watch over them and + provide for their necessities. While at work, he is compelled to keep them + locked in a room in the same building. They scream so loudly while going + into the spasms that he can not dwell near other people. He therefore + lives isolated, in a plain little house back of his brewery. Here he + lives, the saddest, loneliest, most pitiable creature on the face of the + earth. He traces all his misfortunes to that cabin on Donner Lake, and it + is little wonder that he says: "I beg of you, insert in your book a + fervent prayer to Almighty God that He will forever prevent the recurrence + of a similar scene of horror." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXI. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Sketch of Gen. John A. Sutter + The Donner Party's Benefactor + The Least and Most that Earth can Bestow + The Survivors' Request + His Birth and Parentage + Efforts to Reach California + New Helvetia + A Puny Army + Uninviting Isolation + Ross and Bodega + Unbounded Generosity + Sutter's Wealth + Effect of the Gold Fever + Wholesale Robbery + The Sobrante Decision + A "Genuine and Meritorious" Grant + Utter Ruin + Hock Farm + Gen. Sutter's Death + Mrs. E. P. Houghton's Tribute. +</pre> + <p> + Zealous in sending supplies and relief to the suffering Donner Party, + earnest in providing shelter, clothing, and food to all who were rescued, + Captain John A. Sutter merits more than a passing mention in this history. + From the arrival of Stanton at Sutter's Fort with the tidings that a + destitute emigrant train was en route for California until the return of + the fourth relief party with Lewis Keseberg, Captain Sutter's time, + wealth, and influence were enlisted in behalf of the party. Actuated only + by motives of benevolence and humanity, he gave Stanton and the various + relief parties full and free access to whatever he possessed, whether of + money, provisions, clothing, mules, cattle, or guides. With all due + deference to the generosity of Yerba Buena's citizens, and to the heroic + endeavors of the noble men who risked their lives in rescuing the starving + emigrants, it is but just and right that this warm-hearted philanthropist + should be accorded the honor of being first among the benefactors of the + Donner Party. His kindness did not cease with the arrival of the + half-starved survivors at Sutter's Fort, but continued until all had found + places of employment, and means of subsistence. Pitiful and unworthy is + the reward which history can bestow upon such a noble character, yet since + he never received any remuneration for his efforts and sacrifices, the + reward of a noble name is the least and the most that earth can now + bestow. In view of his good deeds, the survivors of the Donner Party have + almost unanimously requested that a brief biographical sketch of the man + be inserted in these pages. + </p> + <p> + At midnight on the twenty-eighth of February (or first of March), 1803, + John A. Sutter was born in the city of Baden. He was of Swiss parentage, + and his father and mother, were of the Canton Berne. Educated in Baden, we + find him at the age of thirty a captain in the French army. Filled with + enthusiasm, energy, and love of adventure, his eyes turned toward America + as his "land of promise," and in July, 1834, he arrived in New York. Again + breaking away from the restraints of civilized life, he soon made his way + to the then almost unknown regions west of the Mississippi. For some years + he lived near St. Charles, in Missouri. At one time he entertained the + idea of establishing a Swiss colony at this point, and was only prevented + by the sinking of his vessel of supplies in the Mississippi River. During + this time he accompanied an exploring party into the sultry, sand-covered + wastes of New Mexico. Here he met hunters and trappers from California, + and listened to tales of its beauty, fertility, and grandeur which awoke + irresistible longings in his breast. In March, 1838, with Captain Tripp, + of the American Fur Company, he traveled westward as far as the Rocky + Mountains, and thence journeying with a small party of trappers, finally + reached Fort Vancouver. Finding no land route to California, he embarked + in a vessel belonging to the Hudson Bay Company, which was ready for a + voyage to the Sandwich Islands. From Honolulu he thought there would be + little difficulty in finding passage in a trading vessel for the Coast of + California. Disappointed in this, he remained at the Islands some months, + and finally shipped as supercargo of a ship bound for Sitka. In returning, + the vessel entered the Bay of San Francisco, but was not allowed to land, + and Monterey was reached before Sutter was permitted to set foot upon + California soil. From Governor Alvarado he obtained the right of settling + in the Sacramento Valley. After exploring the Sacramento, Feather, and + American Rivers, finally, on the sixteenth of August, 1839, he landed near + the present site of Sacramento City, and determined to permanently locate. + Soon afterward he began the construction of the famous Sutter's Fort. He + took possession of the surrounding country, naming it New Helvetia. One of + the first difficulties to be overcome was the hostility of the Indian + tribes who inhabited the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Kindness and + humane treatment were generally sufficient to cause these Indians to + become his allies, yet in more than one instance he was obliged to resort + to arms. Considering the size of his army, there is a sort of grim heroism + in the fact that he successfully waged at times a defensive and at times + an aggressive warfare. His entire army was composed of six white men, who + had been collected from different parts of the world, and eight Kanakas. + </p> + <p> + Dunbar, in describing Sutter's situation, says: "This portion of upper + California, though fair to look upon, was peculiarly solitary and + uninviting in its isolation and remoteness from civilization. There was + not even one of those cattle ranches, which dotted the coast at long + intervals, nearer to Sutter's locality than Suisun and Martinez, below the + mouth of the Sacramento. The Indians of the Sacramento were known as + 'Diggers.' The efforts of the Jesuit Fathers, so extensive on this + continent, and so beneficial to the wild Indians wherever missions were + established among them, never reached the wretched aborigines of the + Sacramento country. The valley of the Sacramento had not yet become the + pathway of emigrants from the East, and no civilized human being lived in + this primitive and solitary region, or roamed over it, if we except a few + trappers of the Hudson Bay Company." + </p> + <p> + Out of this solitude and isolation, Sutter, as if with a magician's wand, + brought forth wealth and evolved for himself a veritable little kingdom. + Near the close of the year 1839, eight white men joined his colony, and in + 1840 his numbers were increased by five others. About this time the + Mokelumne Indians became troublesome, and were conquered. Other tribes + were forced into submission, and Sutter was practically monarch of the + Sacramento and San Joaquin. The old pioneers speak with pride of the + wonderful power he exerted over these Indians, teaching them the arts of + civilization, forming them into military companies, drilling them in the + use of firearms, teaching them to till the soil, and making them familiar + with the rudiments of husbandry. The vast herds of cattle which in process + of time he acquired, were tended and herded principally by these Indians, + and the cannon which ultimately came into his possession were mounted upon + the Fort, and in many instances were manned by these aborigines. Hides + were sent to Yerba Buena, a trade in furs and supplies was established + with the Hudson Bay Company, and considerable attention was given to + mechanical and agricultural pursuits. + </p> + <p> + In 1841, Sutter obtained grants from Governor Alvarado of the eleven + leagues of land comprised in his New Helvetia, and soon afterwards + negotiated a purchase of the Russian possessions known as "Ross and + Bodega." By this purchase, Sutter acquired vast real and personal + property, the latter including two thousand cattle, one thousand horses, + fifty mules, and two thousand five hundred sheep. In 1845 Sutter acquired + from Gov. Manuel Micheltorena the grant of the famous Sobrante, which + comprised the surplus lands over the first eleven leagues included within + the survey accompanying the Alvarado grant. + </p> + <p> + As early as 1844 a great tide of emigration began flowing from the Eastern + States toward California, a tide which, after the discovery of gold, + became a deluge. Sutter's Fort became the great terminal point of + emigration, and was far-famed for the generosity and open-heartedness of + its owner. Relief and assistance were rendered so frequently and so + abundantly to distressed emigrants, and aid and succor were so often sent + over the Sierra to feeble or disabled trains, that Sutter's charity and + generosity became proverbial. In the sunny hillslopes and smiling valleys, + amidst the graceful groves and pleasant vineyards of this Golden State, it + would be difficult to find localities where pioneers have not taught their + children to love and bless the memory of the great benefactor of the + pioneer days, John A. Sutter. With his commanding presence, his smiling + face, his wealth, his power, and his liberality, he came to be regarded in + those days as a very king among men. What he did for the Donner Party is + but an instance of his unvarying kindness toward the needy and distressed. + During this time he rendered important services to the United States, and + notably in 1841, to the exploring expedition of Admiral Wilkes. The + Peacock, a vessel belonging to the expedition, was lost on the Columbia + bar, and a part of the expedition forces, sent overland in consequence, + reached Sutter's Fort in a condition of extreme distress, and were + relieved with princely hospitality. Later on he gave equally needed and + equally generous relief to Colonel Fremont and his exploring party. When + the war with Mexico came on, his aid and sympathy enabled Fremont to form + a battalion from among those in Sutter's employ, and General Sherman's + testimony is, "that to him (Sutter) more than any single person are we + indebted for the conquest of California with all its treasures." + </p> + <p> + In 1848, when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, near Coloma, quoting + again from Dunbar: "We find that Captain Sutter was the undisputed + possessor of almost boundless tracts of land, including the former Russian + possessions of Ross and Bodega, and the site of the present city of + Sacramento. He had performed all the conditions of his land grants, built + his fort, and completed many costly improvements. At an expense of + twenty-five thousand dollars he had cut a millrace three miles long, and + nearly finished a new flouring mill. He had expended ten thousand dollars + in the erection of a saw-mill near Coloma; one thousand acres of virgin + soil were laid down to wheat, promising a yield of forty thousand bushels, + and extensive preparations had been made for other crops. He owned eight + thousand cattle, two thousand horses and mules, two thousand sheep, and + one thousand swine. He was the military commander of the district, Indian + agent of the territory, and Alcalde by appointment of Commodore Stockton. + Respected and honored by all, he was the great man of the country." + </p> + <p> + Subsequently he was a member of the Constitutional Convention at Monterey, + and was appointed Major General of militia. Would that the sketch of his + life might end here; but, alas! there is a sad, sad closing to the + chapter. This can not be told more briefly and eloquently than in the + language of the writer already mentioned: + </p> + <p> + "As soon as the discovery of gold was known, he was immediately deserted + by all his mechanics and laborers, white, Kanaka, and Indian. The mills + were abandoned, and became a dead loss. Labor could not be hired to plant, + to mature the crops, or reap and gather the grain that ripened." + </p> + <p> + "At an early period subsequent to the discovery, an immense emigration + from overland poured into the Sacramento Valley, making Sutter's domains + their camping-ground, without the least regard for the rights of property. + They occupied his cultivated fields, and squatted all over his available + lands, saying these were the unappropriated domain of the United States, + to which they had as good a right as any one. They stole and drove off his + horses and mules, and exchanged or sold them in other parts of the + country; they butchered his cattle, sheep, and hogs, and sold the meat. + One party of five men, during the flood of 1849-50, when the cattle were + surrounded by water, near the Sacramento river, killed and sold $60,000 + worth of these—as it was estimated and left for the States. By the + first of January, 1852, the so-called settlers, under pretense of + pre-emption claims, had appropriated all Sutter's lands capable of + settlement or appropriation, and had stolen all of his horses, mules, + cattle, sheep, and hogs, except a small portion used and sold by himself." + </p> + <p> + "There was no law to prevent this stupendous robbery; but when law was + established, then came lawyers with it to advocate the squatters' + pretensions, although there were none from any part of Christendom who had + not heard of Sutter's grants, the peaceful and just possession of which he + had enjoyed for ten years, and his improvements were visible to all." + </p> + <p> + "Sutter's efforts to maintain his rights, and save even enough of his + property to give him an economical, comfortable living, constitute a sad + history, one that would of itself fill a volume of painful interest. In + these efforts he became involved in continuous and expensive litigation, + which was not terminated till the final decision of the Supreme Court in + 1858-59, a period of ten years. When the United States Court of Land + Commissioners was organized in California, Sutter's grants came up in due + course for confirmation. These were the grant of eleven leagues, known as + New Helvetia, and the grant of twenty-two leagues, known as the Sobrante. + The land commissioners found these grants perfect. Not a flaw or defect + could be discovered in either of them, and they were confirmed by the + board, under the provisions of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo." + </p> + <p> + "The squatter interest then appealed to the United States District Court + for the Northern District of California. This court confirmed the decision + of the land commissioners. Extraordinary as it may appear, the squatter + interest then appealed both cases to the Supreme Court of the United + States at Washington, and still more extraordinary to relate, that court, + though it confirmed the eleven-league grant, decided that of the Sobrante—twenty-two + leagues—in favor of the squatters. The court acknowledged that the + grant was a "genuine and meritorious" one, and then decided in favor of + the squatter interest on purely technical grounds." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"Sutter's ruin was complete, and its method may be thus stated: He had +been subjected to a very great outlay of money in the maintenance of his +title, the occupancy and the improvement of the grant of New Helvetia. +From a mass of interesting documents which I have been permitted to +examine, I obtained the following statement relative to the expenses +incurred on that grant: + + Expenses in money, and services which formed the original + consideration of the grant $50,000 + Surveys and taxes on the same 50,000 + Cost of litigation extending through ten years, including + fees to eminent counsel, witness fees, traveling + expenses, etc. 125,000 + Amount paid out to make good the covenants of deeds upon + the grant, over and above what was received from sales 100,000 + ======== + $325,000 +</pre> + <p> + "In addition, General Sutter had given titles to much of the Sobrante + grant, under deeds of general warranty, which, after the decision of the + supreme court of the United States in favor of the squatter interest, + Sutter was obliged to make good, at an immense sacrifice, out of the New + Helvetia grant; so that the confirmation of his title to this grant was + comparatively of little advantage to him. Thus Sutter lost all his landed + estate." + </p> + <p> + "But amid the wreck and ruin that came upon him in cumulative degree, from + year to year, Sutter managed to save, for a period, what is known as Hock + farm, a very extensive and valuable estate on the Feather River. This + estate he proposed to secure as a resting-place in his old age, and for + the separate benefit of his wife and children, whom he had brought from + Switzerland in 1852, having been separated from them eighteen years. + Sutter's titles being generally discredited, his vast flocks and herds + having dwindled to a few head, and his resources being all gone, he was no + longer able to hire labor to work the farm; and as a final catastrophe, + the farm mansion was totally destroyed by fire in 1865, and with it all + General Sutter's valuable records of his pioneer life. As difficulties + augmented, Hock farm became incumbered with mortgages, and ultimately it + was swallowed up in the general ruin." + </p> + <p> + For some years he received a small allowance from the State of California; + but after a time this appropriation expired, and was never thereafter + renewed. The later years of the pioneer's life were passed at Litiz, + Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his time was devoted to endeavoring to + obtain from Congress an appropriation of $50,000, as compensation for the + expenditures he made for the relief of the early settlers of California. + His death occurred at Washington, D. C., on the eighteenth day of June, + 1880, and his remains were laid at rest in Litiz, Pennsylvania. The + termination of this grand, heroic life, under circumstances of abject + poverty and destitution, forms as strange and mournful a story as can be + found in the annals of the present age. + </p> + <p> + In concluding this chapter, it may not be inappropriate to quote from a + private letter written by Mrs. S. O. Houghton, nee Eliza P. Donner, + immediately after the General's death. It aptly illustrates the feeling + entertained toward him by the members of the Donner Party. Writing from + San Jose, she says: + </p> + <p> + "I have been sad, oh! so sad, since tidings flashed across the continent + telling the friends of General Sutter to mourn his loss. In tender and + loving thought I have followed the remains to his home, have stood by his + bier, touched his icy brow, and brushed back his snowy locks, and still it + is hard for me to realize that he is dead; that he who in my childhood + became my ideal of all that is generous, noble, and good; he who has ever + awakened the warmest gratitude of my nature, is to be laid away in a + distant land! But I must not yield to this mood longer. God has only + harvested the ripe and golden grain. Nor has He left us comfortless, for + recollection, memory's faithful messenger, will bring from her treasury + records of deeds so noble, that the name of General Sutter will be stamped + in the hearts of all people, so long as California has a history. Yes, his + name will be written in letters of sunlight on Sierra's snowy mountain + sides, will be traced on the clasps of gold which rivet the rocks of our + State, and will be arched in transparent characters over the gate which + guards our western tide. All who see this land of the sunset will read, + and know, and love the name of John A. Sutter, who fed the hungry, clothed + the naked, and comforted the sorrowing children of California's pioneer + days." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Death List + The Forty-two Who Perished + Names of Those Saved + Forty-eight Survivors + Traversing Snow-Belt Five Times + Burying the Dead + An Appalling Spectacle + Tamsen Donner's Last Act of Devotion + A Remarkable Proposal + Twenty-six Present Survivors + McCutchen + Keseberg + The Graves Family + The Murphys + Naming Marysville + The Reeds + The Breens +</pre> + <p> + With the arrival of the emigrants at places of safety, this history + properly closes. The members of the Donner Party were actively and + intimately associated with all the early pioneer history of the State. The + life of almost every one would furnish foundation for a most interesting + biographical sketch. Ninety names were mentioned in the first chapter. Of + these, forty-two perished. Mrs. Sarah Keyes, Halloran, John Snyder, + Hardcoop, Wolfinger and William M. Pike did not live to reach the mountain + camps. The first victim of starvation, Baylis Williams, died in the Reed + cabin. About this time Jacob Donner, Samuel Shoemaker, Joseph Rhinehart + and James Smith perished at Alder Creek. The five deaths last mentioned + occurred within one week, about the middle of December. During the journey + of the "Forlorn Hope," the fifteen were reduced to seven by the deaths of + C. T. Stanton, F. W. Graves, Antoine, Patrick Dolan, Lemuel Murphy, Jay + Fosdick, Lewis, and Salvador. Meantime, enrolled on the death-list at + Donner Lake, were the names of Charles Burger, Lewis Keseberg, Jr., John + Landrum Murphy, Margaret Eddy, Harriet McCutchen, Augustus Spitzer, Mrs. + Eleanor Eddy, Milton Elliott, and Catherine Pike. + </p> + <p> + During the journey of the first relief party Ada Keseberg, John Denton, + and William Hook perished, and with the second relief party died Mrs. + Elizabeth Graves, Isaac Donner, and F. W. Graves, Jr. About this time, at + the tents, died Lewis Donner, Mrs. Elizabeth Donner, and Samuel Donner, + George Foster and James Eddy. No deaths occurred in the party of the third + relief; and no names are to be added to the fatal list save Mrs. Lavina + Murphy, George Donner, and Mrs. Tamsen Donner. + </p> + <p> + Out, of the Donner Party, forty-eight survived. Walter Herron reached + California with James F. Reed, and did not return. Of the "Forlorn Hope," + Mary A. Graves, Mrs. Sarah Fosdick, Mrs. Amanda M. McCutchen, Mrs. Harriet + F. Pike, Mrs. S. A. C. Foster, William M. Foster, and W. H. Eddy lived. + The two last mentioned returned and again braved the dangers which + encompassed the emigrants. The first relief party rescued Mrs. Margaret W. + Reed, Virginia E. Reed and James F. Reed, Jr., Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. + Donner, George Donner, Jr., Wm. G. Murphy, Mary M. Murphy, Naomi L. Pike, + W. C. Graves, Eleanor Graves, Lovina Graves, Mrs. Phillipine Keseberg, + Edward J. Breen, Simon P. Breen, Eliza Williams, Noah James, and Mrs. + Wolfinger. + </p> + <p> + The second relief succeeded in reaching the settlements with only Solomon + Hook, Patty Reed, and Thomas K. Reed. With this party were its Captain, + James F. Reed, and William McCutchen. Those who were brought to Starved + Camp by the second relief, and saved by a portion of the third relief, + were Patrick Breen, Mrs. Margaret Breen, John Breen, Patrick Breen, Jr., + James F. Breen, Peter Breen, Isabella M. Breen, Nancy Graves, Jonathan + Graves, Elizabeth Graves, and Mary M. Donner. The remainder of the third + relief rescued Simon P. Murphy, Frances E. Donner, Georgia A. Donner, + Eliza P. Donner, and John Baptiste. W. H. Eddy remained in the valleys + after making this journey. Wm. M. Foster traversed the snow-belt no less + than five times—once with the "Forlorn Hope," twice with the third + relief, and twice with the fourth. The fourth relief rescued Lewis + Keseberg. + </p> + <p> + General Kearney visited the cabins at Donner Lake on the twenty-second of + June, 1847. Edwin Bryant, the author of "What I Saw in California," was + with General Kearney, and says: "A halt was ordered for the purpose of + collecting and interring the remains. Near the principal cabins I saw two + bodies entire, with the exception that the abdomens had been cut open and + the entrails extracted. Their flesh had been either wasted by famine or + evaporated by exposure to the dry atmosphere, and they presented the + appearance of mummies. Strewn around the cabins were dislocated and broken + skulls (in some instances sawed asunder with care, for the purpose of + extracting the brains), human skeletons, in short, in every variety of + mutilation. A more revolting and appalling spectacle I never witnessed. + The remains were, by an order of General Kearney, collected and buried + under the superintendence of Major Swords. They were interred in a pit + which had been dug in the center of one of the cabins for a cache. These + melancholy duties to the dead being performed, the cabins, by order of + Major Swords, were fired, and with everything surrounding them connected + with this horrid and melancholy tragedy were consumed. The body of George + Donner was found at his camp, about eight or ten miles distant, wrapped in + a sheet. He was buried by a party of men detailed for that purpose." + </p> + <p> + To carefully lay out her husband's body, and tenderly enfold it in a + winding-sheet, was the last act of devotion to her husband which was + performed by Tamsen Donner. + </p> + <p> + With varying incidents and episodes, the immigrants all reached Sutter's + Fort. One very attractive young lady received a proposal of marriage while + doing her best to manage the rebellious mule on which she was riding. The + would-be lover pleaded his case well, considering the adverse + circumstances, but the young lady gave not her consent. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-six, and possibly twenty-eight, out of the forty-eight survivors, + are living to-day. Noah James is believed to be alive, and John Baptiste + was living only a short time since, at Ukiah, Mendocino County, + California. Besides these two, there are twenty-six whose residences are + known. William McCutchen, who came from Jackson County, Missouri, is hale + and strong, and is a highly-respected resident of San Jose, California. + Mr. McCutchen is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, was about thirty years + old at the time of the disaster, and has a clear, correct recollection of + all that transpired. Lewis Keseberg's history has been pretty fully + outlined in his statement. He resides in Brighton, Sacramento County, + California. + </p> + <p> + In May, 1847, Mary A. Graves married Edward Pile. He was murdered by a + Spaniard in 1848, and this Spaniard was the first person hanged in + California under the laws of the United States. In 1851 or 1852 Mrs. Pile + married J. T. Clarke. Their children are: Robert F., born in 1852, who is + married and living at White River, Tulare County Cal.; Mattie, born in + 1854, and now the wife of P. Bequette, Jr., of Visalia: James Thomas, born + in 1857; an infant, who died soon after birth; Belle, born in 1860, and + died in 1871; Alexander R., born in 1865, and Daniel M., born in 1872. + Mrs. M. A. Clarke's address is White River, Tulare County, California. + </p> + <p> + Eleanor Graves married William McDonnell about the first of September, + 1849. Their children are: Ann, born September, 1850; Charles, born in + 1852; Mary, born in 1855, married to Lester Green, January 2, 1878, and + now living on the Sacramento River, about seventeen miles below the city; + Lillie, born April 14, 1857, died in February, 1873; Franklin, born in + 1860, died in March, 1873; Henry, born July, 1864; Eleanor, born July, + 1868; Leslie, born October, 1872, died March, 1873; Louisa, born in 1878. + Mrs. Eleanor McDonnell and family reside in Knights Valley, Sonoma County. + Their address is Calistoga, California. + </p> + <p> + Lovina Graves married John Cyrus June 5, 1856. Their children are: Henry + E., born April 12, 1859; James W., born February 16, 1861; Mary A., born + April 26, 1863; Sarah Grace, born December 11, 1866; and Rachel E., born + January 27, 1873. Their address is Calistoga. + </p> + <p> + Nancy Graves married Rev. R. W. Williamson in 1855. Their eldest, George, + is an artist in Virginia City; Emily is teaching school in Knights Valley; + Kate, Frederick, and Lydia Pearl are residing with their parents at Los + Gatos, Santa Clara County, Cal. + </p> + <p> + William C. Graves is a blacksmith, living at Calistoga. He visited Truckee + this spring, examined the sites of the different cabins, and has rendered + most valuable assistance in the preparation of this history. + </p> + <p> + The Murphys have always been well and favorably known in the best society + of California. Mrs. Harriet F. Pike was married at Sutter's Fort, in 1847, + by Alcalde Sinclair, to M. C. Nye. Prior to the discovery of gold, they + lived about three miles above Marysville, which, at this time, bore the + name of Nye's Ranch. Mrs. Nye died in 1872, at Dalles, Oregon, and her + remains were brought to Marysville and laid in the city cemetery. Naomi L. + Pike was married, in 1865, to Dr. Mitchell, of Marysville, moved to + Oregon, became a widow, and is now the wife of John L. Schenck. Her + address is, The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. + </p> + <p> + Mary M. Murphy was married, in 1848, to C. Covillaud, then of Nye's Ranch, + Cal. In 1850 the city of Marysville was laid out, and was named in honor + of Mrs. Mary Covillaud. After lives of distinguished honor, Mr. and Mrs. + Covillaud died, but there are now living five of their children. Mary + Ellen is married to a prominent stock dealer, of Dalles, Oregon; Charles + J., a very bright and promising young man, is in the law office of his + uncle, William G. Murphy; William P., Frank M., and Naomi S., are all + living at Dalles, Oregon. William G. Murphy resided at Marysville until + 1849, when he went east to receive an education. He graduated with high + honors at the State University of Missouri. He was married in Tennessee, + returned to the Pacific Coast in 1858, and in 1863 was duly admitted a + member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Nevada. He resided and practiced + his profession at Virginia City until in the fall of 1866, when he + returned to Marysville, Cal. He now holds the position of City Attorney, + and has an excellent and remunerative practice. He has a beautiful and + charming home, and his family consists of himself, his wife, and seven + children. His eldest, Lulie T., was born in the Territory of Nevada, and + his second child, Kate Nye, was born in Nevada subsequent to its admission + as a State. William G., Jr., Charles Mitchell, Ernest, Harriet F., and + Leander B. were born in Marysville. + </p> + <p> + Simon P. Murphy went back to Tennessee, and married at his old home. He + served in the Union army. He died in 1873, leaving a wife and five + children. + </p> + <p> + William M. Foster gave his name to Foster's Bar, on the Yuba River. He + died in 1874, of cancer. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Foster, there are + now living, Alice, born in 1848; Georgia, born in 1850; Will, born in + 1852; Minnie, born in 1855; and Hattie, born in 1858. Mrs. S. A. C. Foster + has been residing in San Francisco, but her present address is, care of + her brother, Wm. G. Murphy, Marysville. + </p> + <p> + Mr. and Mrs. Reed settled with their family in San Jose, California. Mrs. + Margaret Reed died on the twenty-fifth of November, 1861, and her husband, + James F. Reed, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1874. They are buried side by + side, their coffins touching. Mrs. Reed died with her entire family + gathered about her bedside, and few death-bed scenes ever recorded were + more peaceful. As she entered the dark waters, all about her seemed + suddenly bright. She spoke of the light, and asked that the windows be + darkened. The curtains were arranged by those about her, but a moment + afterward she said, "Never mind; I see you can not shut out the bright + light which I see." Looking up at the faces of her husband and children, + she said very slowly, "I expect, when I die, I will die this way, just as + if I was going to sleep. Wouldn't it be a blessing if I did?" The last + words were uttered just as the soul took its flight. Thomas K. Reed and + James F. Reed, Jr., reside in San Jose, Cal. The latter was married March + 16, 1879, to Sarah Adams. Virginia E. Reed was married on the twenty-sixth + of January, 1850, to J. M. Murphy. Their children's names are, Mary M., + Lloyd M., Mattie H., John M., Virginia B., J. Ada, Dan James, Annie Mabel, + and T. Stanley. Lloyd, Mattie, and Mabel are sleeping in Oak Hill + Cemetery, at San Jose, Cal. Mary was married to P. McAran, June 28, 1869. + Mr. McAran is one of the directors of the Hibernia Bank, and resides in + San Francisco. John M. Murphy, Jr., was married April 1, 1880, to Miss + Hattie E. Watkins. Martha J. (Patty) Reed was married at Santa Cruz, Cal., + December 25, 1856, to Mr. Frank Lewis. They had eight children: Kate, born + October 6, 1857; Margaret B., born June 6, 1860; Frank, born March 22, + 1862; Mattie J., born April 6, 1864; James Frazier, born August 31, 1866; + a babe, born May 30, 1868, who died in infancy; Carrie E., born September + 15, 1870; and Susan A., born December 31, 1873. Mr. Lewis died June 18, + 1876. Mrs. Lewis and her children reside at San Jose. + </p> + <p> + Wm. H. Eddy married Mrs. F. Alfred, at Gilroy, California, in July, 1848. + They had three children: Eleanor P., James P., and Alonzo H. Eleanor + married S. B. Anderson, in 1871, and resides in San Jose. James married in + 1875, and with his wife and two children resides in San Jose. Alonzo is a + physician in Monument, Colorado. In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Eddy separated, and + in 1856 he married Miss A. M. Pardee, of St. Louis. Mr. Eddy died December + 24, 1859, at, Petaluma, California. + </p> + <p> + Patrick Breen removed with his family from Sutter's Fort early in 1848, + and permanently settled at the Mission of San Juan Bautista, in San Benito + County, California. Mr. Breen, lived to see all his children grow to + maturity and become happily established in life. On the twenty-first of + December, 1868, he peacefully closed his eyes to this world, surrounded by + every member of his family, all of whom he preceded to the tomb. + </p> + <p> + All the surviving members of the Breen family are still residing at or + near San Juan. John Breen married in 1852. His family, consisting of his + wife and ten children, are all living. His children's names are: Lillie + M., Edward P., John J., Thomas F., Adelaide A., Kate, Isabelle, Gertrude, + Charlotte, and Ellen A. Breen. Edward J. Breen married, in 1858. His wife + died in 1862; leaving the following children: Eugene T., Edward J., and + John Roger. Patrick Breen, Jr., married in 1865; his wife is living, and + their children are Mary, William, Peter, Eugene. Simon P. Breen married in + 1867; his wife is living; their children are Geneva and Mary. James F. + Breen, the present Superior Judge of San Benito County, married in 1870; + his wife is living; their only surviving children are Margaret and Grace. + Peter Breen died, unmarried, on July 3, 1870, by accidental death. + Isabella M. Breen was married in 1869, to Thomas McMahon, and with her + husband resides at Hollister, San Benito County. William M. Breen, whose + portrait appears in the group of the Breen family, was born in San Juan in + 1848, and was not of the Donner Party. He married in 1874, leaving a + widow, and one child, Mary. + </p> + <p> + Margaret Breen, the heroic woman, devoted wife, and faithful mother, had + the satisfaction of living to see her infant family, for whose + preservation she had struggled so hard and wrought so ceaselessly, grow to + manhood and womanhood. In prosperity, as in adversity, she was ever good, + kind, courageous, and "affable to the congregation of the Lord." She was + always, self-reliant, and equal to the most trying emergencies; and yet, + at all times, she had a deep and abiding faith in God, and firmly relied + on the mercy and goodness of Him to whom she prayed so ardently and + confidently in the heavy hours of her tribulation. The hope of her later + years was that she might not be required to witness the death of any of + her children; but it was willed differently, as two of them preceded her + to the grave. April 13, 1874, ripe in years, loved by the poor, honored + and respected by all for her virtues and her well-spent life, she quietly + and peacefully passed from the midst of her sorrowing family to the other + and better shore. + </p> + <p> + The following lines from the pen of Miss Marcella A. Fitzgerald, the + gifted poetess of Notre Dame Convent, San Jose, were published in the San + Francisco Monitor, at the time of Mrs. Breen's death: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + In Memoriam. + + Mrs. Margaret Breen. + + The spring's soft light, its tender, dreamy beauty + Veils all the land around us, and the dome + Of the blue skies is ringing with the music + Of birds that come to seek their summer home. + + But one whose heart this beauty often gladdened + No more shall see the fragrant flowers expand; + For her no more of earth—but fairer portion + Is hers, the beauty of the Better Land; + + The beauty of that land to which with yearning + Her true heart turned in faith and trust each day + The land whose hope a glorious bow of promise + Illumed her path across life's desert way. + + A loving wife; a fond, devoted mother; + A friend who reckoned friendship not a name; + A woman who with, gentle influence brightened + The hearts of all who to her presence came. + + A halo of good deeds her life surrounded; + Her crown of years was bright with deeds of love; + Hers was a gift of charity whose merits + A golden treasure waiteth her above. + + Out of the wealth the Master gave unto her + She clothed the needy and the hungry fed; + The poor will mourn a true friend taken from them + Above her will the orphan's tear be shed. + + The orphan's prayer, a prayer of power unbounded. + In grateful accents shall for her ascend, + And strength and consolation for her children + Down from the Savior's pitying heart descend; + + For over death the Christian's faith doth triumph— + The crown of victory shines above the Cross; + Hers is the fadeless joy and ours the sorrow— + Hers is the gain and ours the bitter loss. + + And while the hearts of kindred ache in sadness, + And gloom rests on her once fair home to-day, + As a true friend who mourns a loved one taken, + This simple wreath upon her grave I lay. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXIII. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Orphan Children of George and Tamsen Donner + Sutter, the Philanthropist + "If Mother would Only Come!" + Christian and Mary Brunner + An Enchanting Home + "Can't You Keep Both of Us?" + Eliza Donner Crossing the Torrent + Earning a Silver Dollar + The Gold Excitement + Getting an Education + Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. Donner, Frances E. Donner, Georgia A. + Donner, Eliza P. Donner. +</pre> + <p> + Unusual interest attaches to the three little orphan children mentioned in + a preceding chapter. Frances, Georgia, and Eliza Donner reached Sutter's + Fort in April, 1847. Here they met their two elder sisters, who, in charge + of the first relief party, had arrived at the Fort a few weeks earlier. + The three little girls were pitiable-looking objects as they gathered + around the blazing fire, answering and asking questions respecting what + had taken place since they parted with their sisters at their mountain + cabins. + </p> + <p> + Among the first to stretch forth a helping hand to clothe the needy + children was that noble philanthropist, Capt. John A. Sutter. Other + newly-found friends gave food from their scanty supplies, and the children + would have been comfortable for a time, had not some pilfering hand taken + all that had been given them. They were again obliged to ask for food of + those whom they thought would give. As the weather became warmer it had a + cheering influence over them. They forgot their wish for heavier clothing; + but oftener repeated the more heartfelt one—"If mother would only + come!" + </p> + <p> + Those who have suffered bereavement under similar circumstances can + understand how fully these little girls realized their situation when they + were told that their mother was dead. + </p> + <p> + Not long after it became known that their parents were dead, Georgia and + Eliza enlisted the sympathies of a kindhearted Swiss couple, Christian and + Mary Brunner, who lived a short distance from the Fort. Mrs. Brunner + brought them bread, butter, eggs, and cheese, with the kind remark to + those in whose hands she placed the articles: "These are for the little + girls who called me grandma; but don't give them too much at a time." A + few days later, upon inquiring of them how they liked what she brought, + grandma was told they had not had anything, and was so surprised that she + decided to take Georgia home with her for a week. Georgia was more + delicate than her younger sister. Eliza was promised that she should be + treated as kindly upon Georgia's return. The week passed, and Georgia + returned, looking stronger. She told such wonderful stories about the many + cows! lots of chickens! two sheep that would not let her pass unless she + carried a big stick in sight! about the kindness grandma, grandpa, and + Jacob, his brother, had shown to her, that it seemed to Eliza the time + would never come when she and grandma were to start to that enchanting + home! Such a week of pleasure! Who but that little girl could describe it! + Grandma's bread and milk gave strength to her limbs and color to her + cheeks. She chased the chickens, and drove the cows; she brought chips for + grandma, rode the horse for Jacob, and sat upon grandpa's knee so + cheerfully, that they began to feel as if she belonged to them. But her + week had come to an end! Grandma, all dressed for a walk to the Fort, + sought the little girl, who was busy at play, and said: "Come, Eliza, I + hear that Georgia is sick, and I am going to take you back, and bring her + in your place." The sweet little girl looked very grave for a moment, then + glancing up with her large black eyes into that dear old face, she took + courage, and asked, with the earnestness of an anxious child: "Grandma, + can't you keep both of us?" + </p> + <p> + This simple question provided a home for both until after Hiram Miller was + appointed their guardian. He was intrusted with their money, obtained from + Keseberg and from other sources. The little sisters were then again + separated. Frances had found a home in Mrs. Reed's family. Georgia was to + go with grandpa, who was about to remove to Sonoma. Eliza went to her + eldest sister, who was now married and living on the Cosumnes River. Here + she remained until winter. Then, hearing that Mr. Brunner's family and + Georgia desired her return, she became so homesick that her sister + consented to her going to them. Fortunately, they heard of two families + who were to move to Sonoma in a very short time, and Eliza was placed in + their charge. This journey was marked with many incidents which seemed + marvelous to her child-mind. The one which impressed itself most forcibly + occurred upon their arrival at the bank of the Sonoma River. She was told + that Jacob would meet her here and take her to grandma's, and was + delighted that her journey was so nearly over. Imagine her disappointment + at finding the recent rains had raised the river until a torrent flowed + between her and her anxious friends. For days Jacob sought the + slowly-decreasing flood and called across the rushing stream to cheer the + eager child. Finally, an Indian, who understood Jacob's wish, offered to + carry her safely over for a silver dollar. Never did silver look brighter + than that which Jacob held between his fingers, above his head, that sunny + morning, to satisfy the Indian that his price would be paid when he and + his charge reached the other bank. + </p> + <p> + What a picture this scene presents to the mind! There is the Indian + leading his gray pony to the river's side! He examines him carefully, and + puts the blanket on more securely! He waits for the approaching child. How + small she is—not five years old! How she trembles with dread as the + swift current meets her eye! Yet she is anxious to go. One pleading look + in the Indian's face, and she is ready. He mounts; she is placed behind + him; her little arms are stretched tightly around his dusky form! He + presses his elbows to his sides to made her more secure, and, by signs, + warns her against loosening her grasp, or she, like the passing branches, + will be the water's prey! They enter the stream. Oh how cold the water is! + They reach the middle; her grasp is tighter, and she holds her breath with + fear, for they are drifting with the current past where Jacob stands! But + joy comes at last. They have crossed the river. There stands the pony, + shaking the water from his sides. The Indian takes his dollar with a grunt + of satisfaction, and Jacob catches up the little girl, mounts his horse, + and hurries off to grandpa's, where grandma, Leanna, and Georgia are + waiting to give her a warm welcome. + </p> + <p> + Months passed pleasantly, but gradually changes occurred. The war with + Mexico ended, and gold was discovered. All the men who were able to go, + hurried off to the mines to make a fortune. The little girls gave up their + plays, for grandma was not able to do all the work, and grandpa and Jacob + were away. They spent seven years with Mr. and Mrs. Brunner, They were + kindly treated, but their education was neglected. In 1854, their eldest + sister, Elitha, and her husband, came to Sonoma, and offered them a home + and an opportunity of attending school. This kind offer was accepted. For + six years Eliza remained in Sacramento, in the family of her sister, + Elitha. To her she was indebted for the opportunity she enjoyed of + attending, for one year, with her sister Frances and afterwards Georgia, + St. Catherine's Academy, at Benicia, and the public schools of Sacramento. + </p> + <p> + Elitha C. Donner married Perry McCoon, who was subsequently killed by a + runaway horse. On the eighth of December, 1853, Mrs. McCoon was married to + Benj. W. Wilder. They reside on the Cosumnes River, a few miles from Elk + Grove, Sacramento County, Cal., and have six children. Leanna C. Donner + was married September 26, 1852, to John App. They now reside in Jamestown, + Tuolumne County, Cal., and their family consists of Rebecca E., born + February 9, 1854; John Q., born January 19, 1864; and Lucy E., born August + 12, 1868, who reside with their parents. + </p> + <p> + Frances E. Donner was married November 24, 1858, to William R. Wilder, and + now resides at Point of Timber, Contra Costa County, Cal. Their children + are: Harriet, born August 24, 1859; James William, born May 30, 1863; + Frances Lillian, born July 17, 1867; Asaph, born May 7, 1870; and Susan + Tamsen, born September 3, 1878. Georgia A. Donner was married November 4, + 1863, to W. A. Babcock. Their family consists of Henry A., born August 23, + 1864; Frank B., born June 29, 1866; and Edith M., born August 24, 1868. + Their address is Mountain View, Santa Clara County, Cal. + </p> + <p> + Eliza P. Donner, on the tenth of October, 1861, was married to Sherman O. + Houghton. Mr. Houghton was born in New York City, April 10, 1828, served + in the Mexican war, was Mayor of San Jose in 1855 and 1856, represented + California in the Forty-second and Forty-third Congress, and is at present + a prominent member of the San Jose bar. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton have six + children. The youngest living was born in Washington, D. C., at which city + his family resided during the four years he served as member of Congress. + Their children are: Eliza P., Sherman O., Clara H., Charles D., Francis + J., and Stanley W. Their youngest born, Herbert S., died March 18, 1878, + aged twenty months. Mary M. Donner, daughter of Jacob Donner, was adopted + into the family of Mr. James F. Reed, in 1848. She continued a member of + this family until her marriage with Hon. S. O. Houghton, of San Jose, + August 23, 1859. June 21, 1860, Mrs. Mary M. Houghton died, leaving an + infant daughter, Mary M., who is now a young lady, and a member of the + family of Mr. and Mrs. Houghton. + </p> + <p> + George Donner, Jr., son of Jacob Donner, married Miss Margaret J. Watson, + June 8, 1862. Their children now living are: Mary E., Corn J., George W., + John C., Betty L., and Frank M. Albert, their eldest, died in 1869, and an + infant son died in 1875. George Donner, Jr., died at Sebastopol, February + 17, 1874. Mrs. Donner now lives with her children on their farm near + Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXIV. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Yerba Buena's Gift to George and Mary Donner + An Alcalde's Negligence + Mary Donner's Land Regranted + Squatters Jump George Donner's Land + A Characteristic Land Law Suit + Vexatious Litigation + Twice Appealed to Supreme Court, and Once to United States + Supreme Court + A Well taken Law Point + Mutilating Records + A Palpable Erasure + Relics of the Donner Party + Five Hundred Articles + Buried Thirty-two Years + Knives, Forks, Spoons + Pretty Porcelain + Identifying Chinaware + Beads and Arrow-heads + A Quaint Bridle Bit + Remarkable Action of Rust + A Flintlock Pistol + A Baby's Shoe + The Resting Place of the Dead + Vanishing Landmarks. +</pre> + <p> + Yerba Buena's citizens, shortly after the arrival of George and Mary + Donner, contributed a fund for the purpose of purchasing for each of them + a town lot. It happened that these lots were being then distributed among + the residents of the town. Upon the petition of James F. Reed, a grant was + made to George Donner of one hundred vara lot number thirty-nine, and the + adjoining lot, number thirty-eight, was granted to Mary. The price of each + lot was thirty-two dollars, and both were paid for out of the fund. The + grants were both entered of record by the Alcalde, George Hyde. The grant + made to George was signed by the Alcalde, but that made to Mary was, + through inadvertence, not signed. A successor of Hyde, as Alcalde, + regranted the lot of Mary Donner to one Ward, who discovered the omission + of the Alcalde's name to her grant. This omission caused her to lose the + lot. In 1851, a number of persons squatted on the lot of George Donner, + and in 1854 brought suit against him in the United States Circuit Court to + quiet their title. This suit was subsequently abandoned under the belief + that George Donner was dead. In 1856, a suit was instituted by George + Donner, through his guardian, to recover possession of the lot. Down to + the spring of 1860, but little progress had been made toward recovering + the possession of the lot from the squatters. The attorneys who had thus + far conducted the litigation on behalf of George Donner, were greatly + embarrassed because of their inability to fully prove the delivery of the + grant to him, or to some one for him, the courts of the State having, from + the first, litigation concerning similar grants, laid down and adhered to + the rule that such grants did not take effect unless the original grant + was delivered to the grantee. Such proof was therefore deemed + indispensable. + </p> + <p> + After such proofs upon this point as were accessible had been made, the + proceedings had ceased, and for several months there had been no prospect + of any further progress being made. During this time, one Yonti, who had + undertaken to recover possession of the lot at his own expense for a share + of it, had the management of the case, and had employed an attorney to + conduct the litigation. Yontz became unable, pecuniarily, to proceed + further with the case, and informed Donner of the fact, whereupon the + latter induced his brother-in-law, S. O. Houghton, to attempt to prosecute + his claim to some final result. Mr. Houghton applied to the court to be + substituted as attorney in the case, but resistance was made by the + attorney of Yontz, and the application was denied. Houghton then applied + to the Supreme Court for a writ of mandate to compel the judge of the + court before which the suit was pending, to order his substitution as + attorney of record for Donner. This writ was granted by the Supreme Court, + and in January, 1861, Mr. Houghton became the attorney of record. This + suit had been brought by Green McMahon, who had been appointed Donner's + guardian for that purpose, and after a full examination of the case, Mr. + Houghton dismissed it, and immediately commenced another in the name of + George Donner, who was then of age. In the following year, February, 1862, + it was brought to trial before a jury, and after a contest which lasted + ten days, a verdict was rendered in favor of Donner. + </p> + <p> + The squatters appealed to the Supreme Court of the State where the verdict + of the jury was set aside, a new trial ordered, and the case sent back for + that purpose. This new trial was procured by means of an amendment of the + law, regulating trials by jury in civil cases. This amendment was passed + by the Legislature, at the instance of the squatters, after the verdict + had been rendered. A new trial was had in 1864, before a jury, and + resulted in another verdict for Donner. The first trial had attracted much + attention, and was frequently mentioned in the newspapers of San + Francisco, and thus several persons who were present when the grant was + made had their attention called to the controversy, and to the difficulty + encountered in proving a delivery of the grant. They communicated to + Donner the fact that it was delivered for him to William McDonald, the man + with whom he lived at the time. They also narrated the circumstances + attending the delivery of the grant. This information, however, came too + late for the purposes of the trial. Prior to the second trial, the written + testimony of all these witnesses was procured and in readiness for use + when required, but it was never required. Mr. Houghton and the attorneys + whom he had called upon to aid in the case, determined to rest its + decision upon another ground. They concluded to insist that, as it was a + grant issuing from the government through its instrument, the Alcalde, who + was invested with authority for the purpose, no delivery of the grant was + necessary, and that none was possible, as the entry on the record book of + the Alcalde was the original, it bearing his official signature and being + a public record of his official act. This was a bold attack upon the rule + which the courts had long established to the contrary. After a full + argument of the question at the second trial, the court sustained the view + of the law taken by Mr. Houghton and his associates, and, on appeal, the + decision was sustained by the Supreme Court of the State, and subsequently + affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States, before which the + question was carried by writ of error. + </p> + <p> + Donner's attorneys adopted this course because, at the first trial, the + squatters had produced the copy of the grant which had actually been + issued and delivered. This they had obtained possession of and mutilated, + and then had surreptitiously placed it in the office of the County Clerk + of San Francisco, who was the custodian of the records of the office of + the Alcaldes of San Francisco. Their purpose was to make it appear that it + had never been signed or issued by the Alcalde, but had been transferred + with the other papers and records of that office to the office of the + County Clerk. This document was written on paper having the same + watermarks as numerous other grants to other persons, admitted to be + genuine, made about the same time as the grant to Donner. The body of this + instrument was in the handwriting of the then clerk of the Alcalde, and + the certificate that the Alcalde's fees had been paid bore the genuine + signature of the clerk. There was, however, no signature or name where the + signature of the Alcalde should have been; but there was, instead, a + plain, palpable erasure, easily seen by holding the paper to the light. + </p> + <p> + George Donner lived to see his property become very valuable, but the + vexatious litigation above described was not terminated until after his + death. Meantime, however, he sold his interest, receiving therefor a + considerable sum of money. + </p> + <p> + In conclusion it may be proper to speak of the many interesting relics + which have recently been found under the former sites of the cabins of the + Donner Party. When the last relief party left Donner Lake, all articles of + minor value were left scattered here and there about the floors and + dooryards. Soon afterward the tide of emigrant travel turned principally + to other routes, and the Donner Lake road was comparatively deserted. + Years passed, and the loose soil, the windblown dust, the grass and fallen + leaves covered the articles from sight. It was twenty years before men + began to search for the sites of the cabins, and to carry away little + mementos of the mournful place. Nothing at this time remained in sight + save a few charred logs, and a few score of tall, unsightly stumps. Even + the old pioneers had great difficulty in pointing out the location of more + than one or two of the cabins. After the preparation of this history + began, the author induced several of the survivors to visit Donner Lake, + and to assist in definitely determining the location and boundaries of the + cabins. Digging in the earth which thirty-two years ago formed the cabin + floors, the most interesting relics were found. A collection of over five + hundred of these articles is in the author's possession. There are spoons + which are bent and rust-eaten, some of which are partially without bowls, + and some destitute of handles, the missing portions being vaguely shadowed + in the rust-stained earth in which they were imbedded. Knives there are + whose blades are mere skeleton outlines of what they formerly were, and + which in some instances appear to be only thin scales of rust. The tines + of the forks are sometimes pretty well preserved, sometimes almost + entirely worn away by the action of rust. + </p> + <p> + Among the relics found at the Breen cabin are numerous pieces of old + porcelain, and chinaware. These fragments are readily distinguished by + painted flowers, or unique designs enameled in red, blue, or purple colors + upon the pure white ground-surface of the china-ware. This ware is + celebrated for the durability of its glaze or enamel, which can not be + scratched with a knife, and is not acted upon by vegetable acids. The + relics unearthed were found at a depth of from one to six inches beneath + the ground which formed the floor. A fragment of this ware, together with + an old-fashioned gun-flint, was sent to Hon. James F. Breen, who wrote in + reply: + </p> + <p> + "The relics, piece of chinaware and gun-flint, are highly appreciated. The + chinaware was at once recognized by my brother. In fact, there is one + piece of the china set (a cream pitcher) still in the possession of my + brother. The piece sent is recognizable by the decoration figures, which + correspond exactly with those on the pitcher." + </p> + <p> + There is less of the "ghastly" and "horrible" among the relics thus far + discovered than would be supposed. There are many, like the beads and + arrow-heads, which were evidently treasured by members of the party as + relics or curiosities collected while crossing the plains. There are + pieces of looking-glass which reflected the sunken, starved features of + the emigrants. Among the porcelain are pieces of pretty cups and saucers, + and dainty, expensive plates, which in those days were greatly prized. + Bits of glassware, such as tumblers, vials, and dishes, are quite + numerous. Bolts, nails, screws, nuts, chains, and portions of the wagon + irons, are almost unrecognizable on account of the rust. The nails are + wrought, and some of them look as if they might have been hammered out by + the emigrants. One of these nails is so firmly imbedded in rust alongside + a screw, that the two are inseparable. Metallic buttons are found well + preserved, a sewing awl is quite plainly distinguishable, and an + old-fashioned, quaint-looking bridle-bit retains much of its original + form. Some of the more delicate and perishable articles present the + somewhat remarkable appearance of having increased in size by the + accumulations of rust and earth in which they are encased. This is + especially the case with a darning-needle, which has increased its + circumference in places nearly one half, while in other places it is eaten + away until only a mere filament of steel remains. The sharp point of a + curved sewing-awl has grown with rust until it is larger than the body of + the awl. Several fish-hooks have been found, all more or less rust eaten. + A brass pistol, single barreled, apparently a century old, was found under + the Graves cabin, and near it was an old flint-lock. In the corner of the + fire-place of the Reed cabin were found several bullets and number two + shot. Gun-flints, ready for use or in a crude form, were found in each of + the cabins. + </p> + <p> + W. C. Graves visited the site of his father's cabin on the twenty-first of + April, 1879, and many articles were dug up in his presence which he + readily recognized. A large number of the leading citizens of Truckee were + present, and assisted in searching for the relics. Among other things was + a cooper's inshave, which belonged to his father, who was a cooper by + trade. An iron wagon hammer was also immediately recognized as having been + used in their wagon. A small tin box, whose close-fitting cover was + hermetically sealed with rust, was found, and while it was being examined, + one of the gentlemen, Mr. Frank Rabel, tapped it lightly with his + knife-handle. The side of the box crushed as easily as if it had been an + egg-shell. The wonderful fact connected with this relic, however, is that + Mr. Graves said, before the box was crushed, that his mother kept oil of + hemlock in this box, and that upon examination a distinct odor of oil of + hemlock was found remaining in the box. + </p> + <p> + A whetstone, or what might more properly be called an oil-stone, was + discovered at the Breen cabin. On this stone were the initials "J. F. R.," + which had evidently been cut into its surface with a knife-blade. Mrs. V. + E. Murphy and Mrs. Frank Lewis, the daughters of James F. Reed, at once + remembered this whetstone as having belonged to their father, and fully + identified it upon examination. + </p> + <p> + A great many pins have been found, most of which are the old-fashioned + round-headed ones. A strange feature in regard to these pins is that + although bright and clean, they crumble and break at almost the slightest + touch. The metal of which they are made appears to be entirely decomposed. + One of the most touching relics, in view of the sad, sad history, is the + sole of an infant's shoe. The tiny babe who wore the shoe was probably + among the number who perished of starvation. + </p> + <p> + The big rock against which the Murphy cabin stood is half hidden by + willows and by fallen tamaracks, whose branches are interlaced so as to + form a perfect net-work above the place where the cabin stood. Under the + floor of this cabin the remains of the poor victims are supposed to have + been buried. Nature appears to have made every effort to conceal the spot. + In addition to the bushes and the fallen trees there is a rank growth of + marsh grass, whose rootlets extend far down in the soil, and firmly resist + either shovel or spade. Until very late in the summer this mournful spot + is still further protected by being inundated by the waters of Donner + Creek. It is hardly necessary to remark that no relics have ever been + found under the site of the Murphy cabin. The tall stumps which surround + this rock, and the site of the Graves and Reed cabin, and which are + particularly numerous around the site of the Donner tents at Alder Creek, + are of themselves remarkable relics. Many of them were cut by persons who + stood on the top of very deep snow. They are frequently ten, fifteen, and + twenty feet in height. Time and the action of the elements have caused + them to decay until, in some instances, a child's hand might cause them to + totter and fall. In a few years more they all will have disappeared. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's History of the Donner Party, by C.F. McGlashan + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE DONNER PARTY *** + +***** This file should be named 6077-h.htm or 6077-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/7/6077/ + +Produced by David Schwan, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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