University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-14
4 Tragedy of the Sienas.

VeTSlty OF Missouri In 1861 was VIII
liam Green Murphy, who received the
degree of bachelor of science. Mr.
Murphy came from California-from
Marysville. Iuba county, 10 be exact.
The name of the family OF which
Mr.. Murphy was membe" is woven
into the record OF one of the awful
tragedies of the extreme West-a tale
of starvation. cannibalism, despair and
death, the fate which came to the
Bonner party among the earliest OF
California pioneers.
II calls for no great gift OF romantic
imagination to picture the scenes
which must have characterized the
tar. of those brave and hardy men
and women from their rallying point
at Independence. Mo. Ii was May, the
morning OF the new year. in 1916.
The freshness of Missouri spring,ime
was about, with its showers and sun
shine, its birds and flowers. 1t was at
. time when the love of adventure, of
exploration, was yet young and strong
IN TIE heart of Americans. and when
there was much 10 tempt the restless
spirit to wander. One may well mar
vel that the heart of man should lust
for greater rural beauty. more liberal
h.l 1.Cr ~ hn ;,.,A
Missouri must have guaranteed in that
age of her virgin loveliness.
II was At day, too, when the
gulChes of California, though eorged
with their Golden treasure. were un-
kncwn of man. The meagre history
Of the time indicates that the lure of
the unset land WAS then, as today, its
iru!tlulness, its healthfu!ness. its trop-
ic beauty, its matchless clime.F
These pioneers were to 20 out into
d region which had been looked upon
10y few white men; over limitless prai-
ries and across forbiddng mountain
ranges their way must lead before the
great valleys of the Sacramento and
the San Joaquin could be reached. In
mi intervening waste the trader. the
trapper, the pathfinder matched prow-
Css with the hostile Indian and the
wild beasts in life-or-death game.
But the hearts of the men of the Don
ner party held no fear for the future,
10 Eresentment OF the fate which was
TO come to them at the very entrance
TO California.
About one hundred men, women and
children wer4 in the party when ii fin
ally made its start from Independence
on the long journey to the SHORES of
The Pacific.
Several companies of immigrants
Joined the bonner party before the
Rocky Mountains were reached. At
Fort Bridger. Wyoming, four days
were spent in debating as to which
Of two routes to follow. Agreement
could not be reached. and the party
divided, the larger number re uming
the journey hy way of the old Fort
Hall road. ard reaching California in
safety. The Bonner party. now con-
sisting of about ninety persons. decid-
ed to take the Hastings cutoff" as it
was known. by way of Salt Lake.
After resting at Sale Lake early in
the party took up the long
journey through the deserts of Utah
and Nevada. They were led to believe
that the waterless section of these
plains covered a distance of but fifty
miles of the way; instead. for seven
ty-five miles there was neither water
lor grass. and everywhere a dreary
waste of alkaline desert Their water
supply gave out; many of their cattle
became unmanageable because OF in.
ense thirst. stampeded and were lost. |
md great suffering was endured before |
water was reached The rest of the |
ourEey to the California line is tale |
# yicis:itudn and hardship. Three |
nen were lost by death. Indians ha-
assed them and stole their cattle |
Zach day brought new troubles. Near |
that is now the site of Reno the party
ecidcd to rest the cattle for a few
ays, preparatory 20 the difficult climb
ver the Sierras. This loss of time
raS fatal.
II was near the end of October. yet
hey doubtless felt they had time to
ro the Sierra before the long winter
f that region began. But the snow
anne earlier than usual, and within a
ew days after they left their camp at
.enG. it was upon them, and they
ERE prisoners.
The widest confusion prevailed. In
heir eagerness to escape many went
ar iii advance of the main train. All
id not reach Bonner Lake. at the
asc of the Sierra. the same day. Some
agons and families did not reach the