History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra

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he 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

ntil 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 m

d 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 li

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

silent allusion to the pangs of starvation. Mrs. Frank Lewis (Patty Reed), of San Jose, relates that the poor, little, famishing girls us

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

f 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 possessi

Indian guide who had rendered much assistance to the Schallenberger party in 1844. The record appears without

commences

ake, Novembe

e 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

two of our company about starting to cross the moun

ne and clear to-day; no accoun

he expedition cross the mountains re

-storm; our mountaineers are to make another t

vening; now rains or sleets; t

eep; wind west; killed my last oxen to-day; gav

to continue as when it commenced; no l

get wood, and we are completely housed up; our cattle all killed but two or three, and these, with

ing; cloudy all day;

little; looks delightful after the long

and Graves manufacturing snow-shoes for ano

t; wind south-west; hard work to find wood

y, so weak that he can not rise without help; caused by starvation. Some have scanty supp

heavy squalls of wind; continues to

Graves, with several others, making preparations to cros

st night; the company started on snow-shoe

ening; Baylis Williams died night before last; Milton and Noah started for

hawing to-day; wind northwest;

n yet. Charles Burger started for Donner's; turned back; unable to

b Donner, Samuel Shoemaker, Rhinehart, and Smith are dead; the rest of

oughton (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. W

well at their camp. Began this day to read the 'Thirty Days'

continues; poor prospect for any kin

ly 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

pidly; extremely difficult to find wood; uttered our prayers to God t

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 s

s used to make them in their beautiful homes, before they started across the plains

etly, 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

snow nine feet deep; wood growing scarce; a tree, when

e hard last night. Charles Burger

pose to do if it is the will of the Almighty to deliver us from our present dreadful situation. Amen. Morning fair, but cl

e His holy will. Commenced snowing last night, and snows a little yet. Provisions gettin

ng at night. Mrs. Reed talks of cros

, and Eliza Williams started a short time ago with the hope of crossing the moun

he 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 t

n 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

et 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 o

evening from the mountains, unable

ld not find their way on the other side of the m

ast night; still continue

it must be thirteen feet deep. Can not get wood this

w was at its deepest, was found, by actual measurement, to be t

n, shining brilliantly, renovates our s

e to get wood; has but one ax between him and Keseberg. It looks

ndrum crazy last night; provisions scarce; hides ou

on came this morning with Eliza; she will not eat

lfishness, 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

after sunrise; likely

ight; the most severe storm we have

we are done with snow-storms. Those who went to Sutter's not yet returned; prov

o-day. Lewis Keseberg, Jr., died three days ago; food gr

oods until they would be paid; they also took the hides which herself and family subsisted upon. She regained two pieces only, the balance

d last night; wind northwest. Landrum Murphy died last night about ten

-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 h

unger; we have but little meat left, and only three hides; Mrs. Reed has nothing but one hide, and th

; still continues without intermission; wind south-west. Murphy's folks and Keseber

y it is quite pleasant. McCutchen's ch

e little one to rest. One of the most heart-rending features of this Donner tragedy is the number of infants that suffered. Mrs.

ast night, and we will bury him in the snow;

s at Murphy's, not able to get out of bed; Mrs. E

rning to see about his effects. John Denton trying to borrow meat for Graves; had none to give; they had nothing but hides; all ar

Warm, thaw

cold. Buried Milton in the

warm. Mrs. -- refused to give Mrs. -- any hides. Put Sutter'

ontinued until morning; weather changeable, sunshine and then light showers of hail,