The Expedition of the Donner Party and its Tragic Fate | Page 4

investigation and consideration, my father, George
Donner, and his elder brother, Jacob, decided to join the westward
migration, selecting California as their destination. My mother was in
accord with my father's wishes, and helped him to carry out his plan.
At this time he was sixty-two years of age, large, fine-looking, and in
perfect health. He was of German parentage, born of Revolutionary
stock just after the close of the war. The spirit of adventure, with which
he was strongly imbued, had led him in his youth from North Carolina,
his native State, to the land of Daniel Boone, thence to Indiana, to
Illinois, to Texas, and ultimately back to Illinois, while still in
manhood's prime.
By reason of his geniality and integrity, he was widely known as
"Uncle George" in Sangamon County, Illinois, where he had broken the
virgin soil two and a half miles from Springfield, when that place was a
small village. There he built a home, acquired wealth, and took an
active part in the development of the country round about.

Twice had he been married, and twice bereft by death when he met my
mother, Tamsen Eustis Dozier, then a widow, whom he married May
24, 1839. She was a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was
cultured, and had been a successful teacher and writer. Their home
became the local literary centre after she was installed as its mistress.
My father had two sons and eight daughters when she became his wife;
but their immediate family circle consisted only of his aged parents,
and Elitha and Leanna, young daughters of his second marriage, until
July 8, 1840, when blue-eyed Frances Eustis was born to them. On the
fourth of December, 1841, brown-eyed Georgia Ann was added to the
number; and on the eighth of March, 1843, I came into this world.
I grew to be a healthy, self-reliant child, a staff to my sister Georgia,
who, on account of a painful accident and long illness during her first
year, did not learn to walk steadily until after I was strong enough to
help her to rise, and lead her to a sand pile near the orchard, where we
played away the bright days of two uneventful years.
With the approaching Winter of 1845 popular interest in the great
territory to the west of us spread to our community. Maps and reports
were eagerly studied. The few old letters which had been received from
traders and trappers along the Pacific coast were brought forth for
general perusal. The course of the reading society which met weekly at
our home was changed, in order that my mother might read to those
assembled the publications which had kindled in my father and uncle
the desire to migrate to the land so alluringly described. Prominent
among these works were "Travels Among the Rocky Mountains,
Through Oregon and California," by Lansford W. Hastings, and also
the "Topographical Report, with Maps Attached," by Captain Frémont,
which has been already mentioned.
The Springfield Journal, published by Mr. Allen Francis, appeared with
glowing editorials, strongly advocating emigration to the Pacific coast,
and its columns contained notices of companies forming in Southern
and Southwestern States, each striving to be ready to join the "Great
Overland Caravan," scheduled to leave Independence, Missouri, for
Oregon, early in May, 1846.

Mr. James F. Reed, a well-known resident of Springfield, was among
those who urged the formation of a company to go directly from
Sangamon County to California. Intense interest was manifested; and
had it not been for the widespread financial depression of that year, a
large number would have gone from that vicinity. The great cost of
equipment, however, kept back many who desired to make the long
journey.
As it was, James F. Reed, his wife and four children, and Mrs. Keyes,
the mother of Mrs. Reed; Jacob Donner, his wife, and seven children;
and George Donner, his wife, and five children; also their teamsters and
camp assistants,--thirty-two persons all told,--constituted the first
emigrant party from Illinois to California. The plan was to join the
Oregon caravan at Independence, Missouri, continue with it to Fort
Hall, and thence follow Frémont's route to the Bay of San Francisco.
The preparations made for the journey by my parents were practical.
Strong, commodious emigrant wagons were constructed especially for
the purpose. The oxen to draw them were hardy, well trained, and rapid
walkers. Three extra yoke were provided for emergencies. Cows were
selected to furnish milk on the way. A few young beef cattle, five
saddle-horses, and a good watch-dog completed the list of live stock.
After carefully calculating the requisite amount of provisions, father
stored in his wagons a quantity that was deemed more than sufficient to
last until we should reach California. Seed and implements for use on
the