History of the Donner Party | Page 5

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The members of the party proper numbered ninety, and were as
follows:
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.
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.

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.
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