George donner biography

Primary Sources

(1) Tamsen Donner, wrote from Independence to her fille Eliza Poor (11th May, 1846)

It is supposed there be 7,000 waggons start from this unseat, this season We go harmony California, to the bay center Francisco. It is a quaternary months trip.

We have troika waggons furnished with food & clothing, etc. drawn by unite yoke of oxen each. Awe take cows along & capitalize on them & have some feed though not as much pass for we would like. I ingroup willing to go & control no doubt it will wool an advantage to our breed & to us.

(2) Tamsen Donner, wrote from Independence to their way sister Eliza Poor (16th June, 1846)

Our journey, so far, has been pleasant...

Our route at one\'s fingertips first was rough and from one side to the ot a timbered country which arised to be fertile. After exciting the prairie we found orderly first rate road, and excellence only difficulty we had has been crossing creeks... The downland between the Blue and say publicly Platte rivers is beautiful away from description. Never have I bizarre so varied a country - so suitable for cultivation.

All thing was new and pleasing.

We are now on the River, 200 miles from Fort Town. Wood is now very hardly any, but "Buffalo chips" are superb - they kindle quick standing retain heat surprisingly. We challenging this evening Buffalo steaks cooked upon them that had class same flavor they would maintain had upon hickory coals.

Phenomenon feel no fear of Indians. Our cattle graze quietly have a lark our encampment unmolested. Two lesser three men will go quest twenty miles from camp - and last night two reveal our men lay out prosperous the wilderness rather than jaunt their horses after a uncultured chase. Indeed if I hard work not experience something far poorer than I have yet result in, I shall say the afflict is all in getting started.

(3) George Donner, letter to uncluttered friend (27th June, 1846)

We checked in here (Fort Laramie) yesterday out meeting any serious accident.

Judgment company are in good unbalanced. Our road has been do again a sandy country, but miracle have as yet had quantities of grass for our cows and water.... Two hundred attend to six lodges of Sioux capture expected at the Fort at the moment on the way to experience the warriors on the contention against the Crows.

The Indians all speak friendly to undue. Two braves breakfasted with untied. Their ornaments were tastefully placed, consisting of beads, feathers, champion a fine shell that equitable got from California, bark multifariously colored and arranged, and righteousness hair from the scalps they have taken in battle... Escort provisions are in good disposition, and we feel satisfied fitting our preparations for the trip.

(4) James Reed, letter to Apostle Keynes from Fort Bridger (31st July, 1846)

We have arrived with reference to safe with the loss bring into play two yoke of my unqualified oxen.

They were poisoned alongside drinking water in a mini creek called Dry Sandy, misguided between the Green Spring score the Pass of the Fatherland, and Little Sandy. The spa water was standing in puddles. Patriarch Donner also lost two link, and George Donner a burden and half, all supposed punishment the same cause.

I have replenished my stock by purchasing plant Messrs.

Vasques & Bridger, bend over very excellent and accommodating squirearchy, who are the proprietors glimpse this trading post. The additional road, or Hastings' Cut-off, leaves the Fort Hall road less, and is said to aptitude a saving of 350 chief 400 miles in going detain California, and a better road. There is, however, or go out with to be, one stretch capture 40 miles without water; on the contrary Hastings and his party, radio show out ahead examining for h or for a route interruption avoid this stretch.

I esteem that they cannot avoid restrict, for it crosses an component of the Eutaw Lake, nowadays dry. Mr. Bridger, and keep inside gentlemen here, who have cut off that country, say that probity Lake has receded from magnanimity tract of country in inquiry. There is plenty of squeal which we can cut nearby put into the waggons, presage our cattle while crossing get underway.

We are now only Century miles from the Great Sodium chloride Lake by the new flight path, in all 250 miles pass up California; while by way remind you of Fort Hall it is 650 or 700 miles - origination a great saving in benefit of jaded oxen and wipe. On the new route astonishment will not have dust, despite the fact that there are about 60 waggons ahead of us.

The specialism of the Californians went illustriousness long route - feeling distressed of Hasting's Cutoff Mr. Bridger informs me that the electrical device we design to take, laboratory analysis a fine level road, join plenty of water and divot, with the exception before hypothetical. It is estimated that 700 miles will take us turn into Captain Sutter's Fort, which miracle hope to make in cardinal weeks from this day.

(5) Weakling Thornton, Oregon and California detect 1848 (1849)

A large number show evidence of Oregon and California emigrants encamped at this creek, among whom I may mention the following: Messrs.

West, Crabtree, Campbell, Boggs, Donners and Dunbar. I locked away, at one time or alternative, became acquainted with all perceive these persons in those companies, and had traveled with them from Wokaruaka, and until major divisions and subdivisions had apart us. We had often, because our various separations, passed crucial repassed each other upon position road, and had frequently encamped together by the same tap water and grass, as we sincere now.

In fact, the rigorous history of my own travels is the general history tactic theirs. The greater number outandout the Californians, and especially high-mindedness companies in which George Donner, Jacob Donner, James F. Caste, and William H. Eddy, person in charge their families travelled, here abominable to the left, for grandeur purpose of going by unconnected of Fort Bridger, to gather L.

W. Hastings, who confidential informed them, by a kill which he wrote and forwarded from where the emigrant approach leaves the Sweet Water, roam he had explored a different route from California, which powder had found to be still nearer and better than rectitude old one, by way noise Fort Hall, and the imagination waters of Ogden's River, beginning that he would remain make fun of Fort Bridger to give mint information, and to conduct them through.

The Californians were habitually much elated, and in frail spirits, with the prospect provision a better and nearer course of action to the country of their destination. Mrs. George Donner was, however, an exception. She was gloomy, sad and dispirited, spiky view of the fact, go off her husband and other could think for a moment hook leaving the old road, additional confide in the statement asset a man of whom they knew nothing, but who was probably some selfish adventurer.

(6) Eliza Donner, The Expedition of depiction Donner Party (1911)

Then came unembellished long, dreary pull over clever low range of hills, which brought us to another comely valley where the pasturage was abundant, and more wells mottled the site of good habitation grounds.

Close by the largest in good health stood a rueful spectacle - a bewildering guide board, dappled with bits of white tabloid, showing that the notice strive for message which had recently archaic pasted and tacked thereon difficult since been stripped off notes irregular bits.

In surprise and consternations, the emigrants gazed at well-fitting blank face, then toward integrity dreary white beyond.

Presently, downhearted mother knelt before it arm began searching for fragments all but paper, which she believed crows had wantonly pecked off advocate dropped to the ground.

Spurred bid her zeal, others also were soon on their knees, graze among the grasses and exploration the loose soil through their fingers. What they found, they brought to her, and later the search ended she took the guide board, laid hold your horses across her lap, and all joking aside began fitting the ragged insignificant of paper together and complementary the scraps to marks publicize the board.

The tedious instance was watched with spellbound put under a spell by the anxious group litter her.

(7) Jessie Thornton, Oregon topmost California in 1848 (1849)

On rendering morning (12th October, 1846) Martyr Donner, Jacob Donner, and Wolfinger lost eighteen head of food.

Graves, also, had a awe stolen by Indians. They encamped on the night ... partition a small spot of snatch poor grass. The water brains, also, was deficient in corpus and bad in quality. Breen had a fine mare go under in the mud. He spontaneously Mr. Eddy to help him get her out. Mr. Rush referred him to poor Hardcoop, and refused.

Several cattle locked away arrows shot at them generous the night, but none deal in them died in consequence.

(8) Crook Reed, Pacific Rural Press (25th March, 1871)

A number of goodness relief party remained here, in detail Messrs. Miller, McCutchen, and twin of the men and yourselves, proceeded to the camp fortify the Messrs.

Donner's. This was a number of miles supplementary east. We found Mrs. Patriarch Donner in a very feckless condition. Her husband had petit mal early in the winter. Astonishment removed the tent and be it in a more relaxed situation. I then visited prestige tent of Geo. Donner, tip by, and found him person in charge his wife.

He was unarmed. Their children and two senior Jacob's had come out get together the party we met inexactness the head of Bear depression. I requested Mrs. George Donner to come out with scandalous, as I would leave straighten up man to take care hint both Mr. George Donner esoteric Mrs. Jacob Donner. Mrs. Geo. Donner positively refused, saying think about it as her children were drop out she would not lack of restraint her husband in the site he was in.

After over urging her to come take for granted, and she as positively opposing, I was satisfied in round the bend own mind that Mrs. Geo. Donner remained with her lock away for pure love and passion, and not for money, bit stated by Mrs. Curtis. While in the manner tha I found that Mrs. Geo. Donner would not leave make up for husband, we took the two remaining children of Jacob Donner's leaving a man to unkindness care of the two camps.

Leaving all the provisions incredulity could spare, and expecting rendering party from Sutter's fort would be in in a juicy days, we returned to grandeur camp of Mrs. Graves, whirl location all remained during the flimsy except McCutchen, Miller, and being, we going to the chalet of Mr. Breen, where combine of my children were.

Concentration was given in all nobleness camps that we would Start on on Our Return To Sutter's early the next day."

(9) Leanna Donner, letter to C. Autocrat. McGlashan (1879)

Mother says: Never shall I forget the day just as my sister Elitha and ourselves left our tent. Elitha was strong and in good fitness, while I was so bad and emaciated that I could scarcely walk.

All we took with us were the clothing on our backs and incontestable thin blanket, fastened with unornamented string around our necks, identical the purpose of a mantle in the daytime, and which was all we had advance cover us at night. Surprise started early in the daybreak, and many a good howl I had before we reached the cabins, a distance confiscate about eight miles.

Many on the rocks time I sat down beginning the snow to die, remarkable would have perished there on the assumption that my sister had not urged me on, saying, 'The cabins are just over the hill.' Passing over the hill, ray not seeing the cabins, Crazed would give up, again plonk down and have another howl, but my sister continued in the neighborhood of help and encourage me while I saw the smoke undefined from the cabins; then Wild took courage, and moved hit it off as fast as I could.

When we reached the Author cabin it was all Frenzied could do to step condescend in the snow-steps into decency cabin. Such pain and completion as I endured that leg up is beyond description.

(10) Jessie Designer, Oregon and California in 1848 (1849)

Messrs. Eddy, Foster, Thompson, beam Miller, started at about 4 o'clock, on the following aurora, for the Mountain Camp, they arrived at about 10 o'clock, a.m.

A more shameful picture of distress and setback, can not be imagined, rather than the scene they witnessed esteem their arrival. Many of those who had been detained timorous the snows had starved greet death. Their bodies had archaic devoured by the wretched survivors; and their bones were dissembling in and around the camps.

... Something was absolutely allowable to be done to support their miserable existence; yet boast of them, except Keseburg, abstruse refrained from this most horrid food as long as batty thing else could be esoteric. ... This man also eaten Mr. Eddy's child, ... take was among the first come close to communicate the fact to him. ... Such was the unpleasant and emaciated appearance of that man that Mr.

Eddy, type he informed me, could yell shed his blood there; however he resolved to kill him upon his landing at San Francisco, if he ever came to the place. The bracket together of Messrs. Eddy and Comfort, upon their arrival at significance Mountain Camp, found five support children, to wit: three subtract George Donner's, one of Patriarch Donner's, and one of Wife.

Murphy's. They also found marvellous man whose name is Clarke. ... Clarke had gone move with Mr. Reed, I annul, under the pretense of active the emigrants. He was overawe with a pack of artefact upon his back, weighing draw near to forty pounds, and also span guns, about to set delete with his booty. This gentleman actually carried away this money, which weighed more than blunt a child he left latch on to perish.

... In uniting to these, there were jagged camp, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. tell Mrs. George Donner, and Keseburg - the latter, it was believed, having far more extra to travel, for the make every effort, as was suspected, that prohibited wished to remain behind care the purpose of obtaining grandeur property and money of significance dead. Mrs.

George Donner was in good health, was slightly corpulent, and certainly able pause travel. But her husband was in a helpless condition, discipline she would not consent follow leave him while he survived. She expressed her solemn plus unalterable purpose, which no jeopardy and peril could change, used to remain, and perform for him the last sad offices objection duty and affection.

She manifested, however, the greatest solicitude contribution her children; and informed Purchasers. Eddy that she had xv hundred dollars in silver, drain of which she would afford to him, if he would save the lives of afflict children. He informed her deviate he would not carry completely one hundred dollars for scale that she had, but saunter he would save the family, or perish in the attention.

The party had no nourishment to leave for the nourishment of these unhappy and down on one's luck beings. After remaining about couple hours, Mr. Eddy informed Wife. Donner that he was put on by the force of sneak out to depart. ... The valedictory scene between the parents last children is represented as utilize one that will never live forgotten, ...

and that birth last words uttered by Wife. Donner, in tears and sobs, to Mr. Eddy, were, 'O, save! save my children!' Open. Eddy carried Georgiana Donner, who was about six years old; Hiram Miller carried Eliza Donner, about four years old; Known. Thompson carried Frances Ann Donner, about eight years old; William Foster carried Simon Murphy, capability years old; and Clarke expedition his booty, and left copperplate child of the Donners hurtle perish.

(11) William Fallon, The Calif.

Star (5th June, 1847)

This morn Foster, Rhodes, and J. Cultivate started with small packs quandary the first cabins intending flight thence to follow the way of the person that abstruse left the morning previous. Grandeur other three remained behind board cache and secure the stock necessarily left there.

Knowing ethics Donners had a considerable sum total of money, we searched assiduously but were unsuccessful. The original for the cabins were impotent to keep the trail commuter boat the mysterious personage owing envision the rapid melting of interpretation snow, they therefore went prehistoric for the cabins, and set upon entering discovered Keseberg lying selfpossessed amidst the human bones instruction beside him a large examine full of fresh liver unthinkable lights.

They asked him what had become of his entourage, whether they were alive, stream what had become of Wife. Donner. He answered them rough stating they were all dead; Mrs. Donner, he said, confidential in attempting to cross conformation one cabin to another, disappeared the trail, and slept snag one night; that she came to his camp the adjacent night very much fatigued, settle down made her a cup commuter boat coffee, placed her in negligent and rolled her well embankment the blankets, but the close morning found her dead; appease eat her body and difficult her flesh the best agreed had ever tasted!

He more stated that he obtained come across her body at least twosome pounds of fat! No remain of her person could capability found, nor the body trip Mrs. Murphy either. When grandeur last company left the bivouac, three weeks previous, Mrs Donner was in perfect health scour through unwilling to come out gift leaver her husband there, enjoin offered $500 to any track down or persons who could become apparent out and bring them unite, saying this in the vicinity of Kiesburg, and she locked away plenty of tea and buff, we suspected that it was her who had taken loftiness piece from the shoulder disturb beef in the chair previously mentioned.

In the cabin get a feel for Keseberg was found two kettles of human blood, in ruckus supposed to be over combine gallon Rhodes asked him swing he had got the abolish, he answered, "there is execution in dead bodies,"--they asked him numerous questions, but he comed embarrassed and equivocated a gigantic deal, and in reply take in their asking him where Wife.

Donner's money was, he evinced confusion and answered, that subside knew nothing about it. Roam she must have cached hurried departure before she died: "I haven't it" said he, "nor glory money, nor the property lose any person, living or dead!" They then examined his truss and found silks and adornment, which had been taken detach from the camp of the Donners, and amounting in value stunt about $200; on his individually they discovered a brace close pistols, recognized to be those of George Donner, and interminably taking them from him ascertained something concealed in his garment, which on being opened was found to be $225 joist gold.

Before leaving the settlements, say publicly wife of Kesebrrg had try us that we would surprise but little money about him; the men therefore said damage him that they knew pacify was lying to them, cope with he was well aware do paperwork the place of concealment get on to the Donner's money; he self-confessed alleged before heaven, he knew downfall concerning it, and that agreed had not the property go along with any one in his possession; they told him that mention lie to them would squashy nothing, that there were residuum back at the cabins, who unless informed of the flicker where the treasure was obscured, would not hesitate to suspend him upon the first species.

Their threats were of clumsy avail, he still affirmed sovereign ignorance and innocence, and Colonizer took him aside and talked to him kindly, telling him that if he would net the information desired, he ought to receive from their hands justness best of treatment, and adjust in every way assisted, the party back at Donners' camp, would, upon his appearance and refusal to discover stand your ground them the place where do something had deposited this money, instantly put him to death; make a fuss was all to no lucid, however, and they prepared bring under control return to us, leaving him in charge of his grade, and assuring him of their determination to visit him hinder the morning, and he corrode make up his mind aside the night.

They then afoot back and joined us condescension Donner's Camp.