"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.The members of the party proper numbered ninety."This caravan, like many others of the great assemblage westbound at that time, had great extremes in personnel.Some were out for mere adventure; some were single men looking for a location.Most of them were fathers of families, among them several persons of considerable means and of good standing in the community which they were leaving.While we may suppose that most of them were folk of no extraordinary sort, certainly some were persons of education and intelligence.Among these was the wife of George Donner--Tamsen Dormer; a woman of education, a musician, a linguist, a botanist, and of the most sublime heroism.
Tamsen Donner sent back now and then along the route some story of the daily doings of the caravan; and such letters as these are of the utmost interest to any who desire precise information of that time.It would seem that the emigrants themselves for a great part of their route met with no great adventures, nor indeed, appeared to be undertaking any unusual affair.They followed a route up the Platte Valley already long known to those of the eastern settlements.
"Near the Junction of the North and South Platte, June 16, 1846.
"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.
"We feel no fear of Indians; our cattle graze quietly around our encampment unmolested.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.
"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.
"Bread has been the principal article of food in our camp.We laid in one hundred and fifty pounds of flour and seventy-five 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.
"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 firstrate road, and the only difficulty we have had, has been in crossing the creeks.In that, however, there has been no danger.
"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 is 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?
"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.
"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.
"Buffalo show themselves frequently.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 sugarloaf, and of every variety of shade, to red and green.
"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.
"Give our love to all inquiring friends.God bless them.
"Yours truly, Mrs.George Donner."
By the Fourth of July the Donner Party had reached Fort Laramie.
