The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-02-02

tnat men ana nOrSeS SUNK out OF blgnt
in it. To Reed, who had so many lives
at stake, the failure was terrible.
OF the suffering of those who had
been caught in the mountains no better
description can be had than that fur
nished in a diary, the writer of which
is unknown. 1t came into possession of
Capt. George McKinstry, who was
stationed at Fort Sacramento in 1847.
TRUcKEE's LAKE, Nov. 20, 1876.
Came to this place the 31st of last month !;
went into the pass the snow 30 deep We were
unable to find the road and turned back to the
shanty on Truckee lake. Stanton came up one
day after we arrived here. We again took our
teams and wagons, and made another unsuc-
cessful attempt to cross the mountains, as snow
fell all the time. We now have killed most
OF our cattle, having to remain here until next
spring, and live on lean meat without bread or
salt. 1t showed during the space Of eight days
after our arrival, with little intermission,
though now clear and pleasant freezing at
night the snow nearly all gone from the val
leys.
Nov. 29-Still showing now about three
feet deep wind west killed my last oxen to-
day wood hard to get.
Nov. 30-Snowing fast, and seems likely to
continue for days; no living thing, without
wings, can get about.
Dec. Still showing; snow about six and q
half feet deep very difficult to get wood, and
we are completely housed up; our cattle are
ali killed but two or three and these, with the
horses and mules, all lost in the snow; no hopes
of finding them alive.
Dec. g Commenced showing about II
o'clock; took in Splitter yesterday, who is so
weak that he cannot rise without help, caused
by starvation; some have a scant supply OF
beef Stanton trying to get some for himself
and Indians; not likely to get much.
srxta
day Stanton and Graves, with others, making
preparation to cross the mountains on snow
shoes (; snow eight feet on q level
Dec. 17-Pleasant VIM. Murphy returned
from the mountain party last night Bayless
Williams died night before last.
Dec. 21-Milton arrived from Donner's last
night; sad news. Jacob Donner, Samuel Shoe
maker, Rhinehardt, and Smith are dead the
most of them in low condition showed all
night with q strong southwest wind.
Dec. 25-Began to snow yesterday showed
all night, and SHOWS yet extremely hard to
find wood offered our prayers to God this
(Christmas) morning the prospect is appal-
ling, but we trust in Him.
Jan. l. 1847-We pray the God Of Mercy to
deliver us from our present calamity, II 1t be
His holy will. Commenced showing last night;
provisions scant dug up hide from under
the snow yesterday, but have not commenced
on 1t yet.
JAN 4-Fine morning looks like spring |;
Mrs. Reed, Milton Elliott, and Eliza Williams
started short time ago with the hope of cross
ing the mountains left the children here (; II
was hard for Mrs. Reed to part with them.
Jan. 6-Elizs Williams came back from the
mountains yesterday evening, not able to pro-
ceed the others kept ahead.
Jan. 8-Very cold this morning Mrs. Reed
came back, not being able to find their way
over the mountains they have nothing but
hides TO live on.
Jan. 13.-Snowiug fast snow higher than
the shanty; it must be Is feet deep; cannot
for ris to look upon.
Jan. l5-Clesr day again Mrs. Murphy
blind, and Lathron not able TO get wood has
but one ak between him and Kiesburg it
looks like another storm expect TO hear from
Suffers soon.
provisions scarce hides our main subsistence;
may the Almighty send us help.
Jan. 21-Fine morning the women do not
like hides, but must either eat them or die.
Jan. 28-Commenceds showing yesterday, and
still continues /; one Of Stanton's Indians died
three days ago; food growing. scaroer; don't
have fire enough to cook our hides.
Feb 5-Snowed hard until IL o'clock last
night many uneasy fer fear we shall all per-
ish with hunger we have but little meat left,
and three hides Mrs. Reed has but one hide,
and that is on the Graves house Milton lives
there, and will likely keep that two children
died last night.
Feb. Slime, clear morning; Splitter died
last night; we will bury him in the snow !;
Mrs. Eddy died on the night Of the 7th.
Feb. 9.-Mr. Pixies child died last night !;
Milton Is at Murphy's not able to get out Of
bed Mrs. Eddy and child we're buried to-day !;
wind southeast.
Feb. 10-Beautifui morning thawing in the
sun I; Milton Elliot died last night at Murphy's
shanty Mrs. Reed went there to see after his
effects John Denton trying to borrow meat
for the Graveses, but failed they have moth
ing but hides all are entirely out OF meat,
but we still have little ; our hides are nearly
gone God's help, spring will soon smile upon
us.
Feb. 15-Morning cloudy until o'clock,
then cleared of warm. Mrs. Murphy refused
to give Mrs. Reed any hides put Suffers pack
hides on her shanty and would not let her have
them.
Feb. 19-Froze hard last night. Seven men
arrived yesterday from California with provis-
ions, but left the greater part on the way.
Some Of the men have gone 70 Donner's camp,
and will start back on Monday.
Feb 22-The Californians started this morn
ing, accompanied by some of our party who
were in very weak condition. Mrs. Kiesburg
started with them. and left Kiesburg here un-
able to go. Buried Pixies child this morning in
the snow 1t died two days ago.
Feb. S-troZe hard last night. To-day
pleasant and thawy, and has the appearance OF
spring. all but the deep snow. Shot dog to-
day and dressed his flesh.
Feb. 25-To-day Mrs. Murphy says the
wolves are about TO dig mp the dead bodies
around her shsnty, and the nights are too
cold to watch them, but we can hear them howl.
Feb. B-Hungry times In camp; plenty Of
hides, but the folks won't eat them our little
party eat them with tolerably good appetite,
thanks be to the Almighty God. Mrs. Muir
ply said here yesterday that she thought she
would commence on Milton and eat MIN.
don't think she has done 80 yet. 1t is dis
tressing. The Donners told the California
folks four days ago that they would commence
on the dead people IL they did not ind their
cattle, then ten or twelve feet under snow, and
did not know the spot or anywhere near IL ;
they have done II ere this.
Feb 28-One solitary Indian passed by to
day had heavy pack on his back gave me
ive or six roots resembling onions in shape I;
tasted like sweet potato, but full OF tough little
fibers.
Feb. 29-Ten men arrived this morning from
Bear valley with provisions we all leave In
two or three days, and cache our goods here
they say the snow will remain until June
Thus ends the journal. Capt. Nc
Kinstry, who forwarded it to Spring
field, as before stated, furnished the
conclusion Of the affair in his brief let
ter: