Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-09-23

southwest, Murphy's tolks ana hlesOurg say
they cannot eat hides, wish we had enough
of them, Mrs. Eddy is very weak.
Feb. 7.-Ceased to snow at last, to day it
is quite pleasant, McCutcheon's child died
on the I'd of this month.
Feb. S.-Fine clear morning, Splitter
died last night, we will bury him in the
snow. Mrs. Eddy died on the eth
Feb. 8. Mr.. Pixies child all but dead.
Milton is at Murphy's, not able to get out
of bed, Mrs. Eddy and child were buried to-
day, wind southeast.
Feb. I0.-Beautiful morning, thawing in
the sun. Millions Elliot died last night at
Murphy's shanty, Mrs. Reed went there this
morning to see after his effects ]. Denton
trying to borrow meat from Graves, had
none to give, they had nothing but hides,
all are entirely out of meat but little we
have, our hides are nearly all eat up, but
with Gods help spring will soon smile upon
us.
Feb. 12.-Warm thawy morning.
Feb. l4.-Fine morning, but cold. Blu
ried Milton in the snow, John Denton not
we'll
Feb. 15.-Morning cloudy until 9 o.
clock, then cleared off warm. Mrs. -
refused to give Mrs. - any hides. Put
not let her have them
Feb. I6.-Commenced to rain last even
ing, and turned to snow during the night,
and continued until morning, weather chang
able, sunshine, then light showers of hail,
and wind at times. We all feel very I'M
well, the snow is not getting much less at
present.
Feb. 19.-Froze hard last night. Seven
men arrived from California yesterday even
ing with provisions, but left the greater part
on the way. To-day it is clear and warm
for this region, some of the men have gone
to Donner's camp, they will start back on
Monday.
Feb. 22.-The Californians started this
morning, twenty. four in number, some in a
very weak state. Mrs. Kiesburg started with
them, and left Kiesburgh here, unable to go.
Buried Pixies child this morning in the
snow, it died two days ago
Feb. 23.--Froze hard last night, to-day
pleasant and thawy-has the appearance OF
spring, all but the deep snow, wind south
southeast. Shot dog to-day, and dressed
his flesh.
Feb. 25.-To-day Mrs. Murphy says the
wolves are about to dig up the dead bodies
around her shanty, and the nights are too
cold to watch them, but we hear them howl.
Feb. 26.-Hungry times in camp, plenty
cat with tolerable good appetite, thanks to
the Almighty God Mrs. Murphy said here
yesterday, that she thought she would com.
mence on Milton and eat him, do not
think she has done so yet, it is distressing
The Donners told the California folks, foui
days ago, that they would commence on the
dead people, if they did not succeed tina,
day or the next in finding their cattle, then
ten or twelve feet under the snow, and die
not know the spot, or near it, they have
done it ere this
Feb. 2S.-One solitary indian passed by
yesterday, came from the lake, had heavy
pack on his back, gave me five or six roots
resembling onions in shape, tasted some
like sweet potatoe, full Of tough little
hbres.
March lien men arrived this morn
ing from Bear Valley, with provisions. W.
are to start in two or three days, and hide
our goods her. They say the snow will re
main until June.
The aforementioned ten men started
from the valley with seventeen of the suffer
ers, they travelled fifteen miles, and severe
snow storm came on ; they left fourteen O
the emigrants, the writer of the above jour
nal and his family, and succeeded in get
ting in but three children. Lieut.. Wood
worth Immediately went to their assistance
but before he reached them they had eater
three of their number who had died iron
hunger and fatigue, the remainder of then
Lieut.. Woodworth's party brought in o.
the Doth of April, lS47, the last member O
the party was brought to Capt. Suffers Fort
1t is utterly impossible to give any descrip
ton of the sufferings of the company. You
) readers can form some idea of them by pc
rusing the above diary.
Yours, SC,
GEORGE McKINsTRY, Jr.