University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-14

OF the nearneSS OF winter.
From the head of Donner Lake il
is but three miles to the crossing O1
the summit. Yet, even had the Don
rer party reached the summit, death
must have come to many before as
sistance could have reached them. For
nearly sixty miles on the western
slopes the deep-Enow belt extends.
With the wagon reads of today it is
journey OF no small difficulty. That
the great mountain ridges, the rocky
gorges, the deep canyons, and the tur,
hulen; Yuba river could have been
crossed before roads were built, is
nothing shorr of marvellous.
Returning 10 the foot of the lake, the
party spent some days in building cab
ins to prOrCct themselves from the
rigOrs of winter About two weeks
later, twelve or fifteen set out to
cross the TountaiEs in an endeavor
to obtain relief at Suffers Fort in the
Sacramento Valley, distant about 130
miles. They struggled herOically. but
when night game they had covered
only four miles through the deep
snow. Foriorn. and discouraged.
they retra2e1 their steps, reaching
camp at midnight.
Many DAYS were spent in making
snOwshoes ahd preparing for another
effort to obtain relief. Provisions had
run down, and starvation was immi-
nent for all. About the middle of
December The second party, this time
of seventeen. started to cross the
mountains. They took provisions to
las six days. hoping by that time to
reach Bear Valley. Il distance of thirty
miles or so. and &c sibly to find set
Tiers there.
William G. Murphy. sturdy lad Of
twelve. was one OF the seventeen. He
was without -snowshOes, and by the
time the head of the lake was reached
it was plainly evident he could not
continue the journey. So, with another
exhausted member. he returned to
camp. The boy undoubtedly saved his
life ty turning back. An older brother
Lemuel, perished early in the struggle
TO reach relief.
Night of the first day found them
but four miles from the foot of the
lake The next day they made six
miles. and we're beyond tie summit
The snow va,ied in depth from twelve
to sixty feet. The third day they trav
eled five miles. On the fiftn day one
of the party perished from exhaustion
and lack of food. The sixth day. their
provisions, Scanty from the first, were
for the last time.
Uo to this time on their journey the
weather had been clear. but snow
storm now cnvelOped the mountains.
and they We're forced to halt. Here.
as allied BY the pangs of hunger, the
thought of resOrting to the horrible ex
tre2:ity OF Cannibalism was first en-
pressed. Lots We're drawn. Patrick
Dolan held the fatal missive. They
fought against the awful alternative
and struggled onward several miles
The storm increased in violence, and
the starving wretches huddled in the
forest. unable to provide a fire. -Four
OF the party succumbed the first or
second night. and it was unnecessary
to add murder to the tale Of cannibal.
ISM
week Or more they remained a,
the Camp of DEATH" and again took
lp the awful journey. A starved deer
'rossed their path, and brought relief
ron the horrible necessity of subsist-
nS or human flesh. The meat of the
ieeT was soon con umed. Another
member of tie party passed away, and |
lis body went TO rrolong the lives of |
h' "tuSSihS, Hdll-ueUlcnteu SurNlE- |
,rs.
In the party were two Indians who |
lad been SELL from California TO Mis- |
ouri by Captain Sutter to guide the
across The plains. These
indians had refu: ed to cat human
Iesil, and had struggled on until they
ould rise no more. The record SAYS
hey were sacriticed-thc only murder
# the tale.
The party OF fifteen was now rednr.
d to evcn-five women and two men.
bay after day they toiled on. sustained
y The flesh of the Indians. Starya.
ion faced taem once more. and mur-
er alone offered life. when. crawling
round point of hill. they came II
4 view of an Indian rancherie-they
zero saved.
This is bu; half of the tale, half OF
ne horrors and sufferings and death
'hich came to the party before the
fst survivor was rescued from Don.
er Lake by men sent fran Sut,ar,e