Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-13
LAST MEMBER
OF JAYHAWKERS
DIES IN OAKLAND

San Francisco. Mar. 12.-Lorenzo
Dow Stephens. 90, last of the Jay
hAwkers, an intrepid-party recruited
In Illinois in 1S49 for the overland
journey to the California gold fields,
died in Oakland, Cal, February IL.
Tragic, bitter sufferings borne by
tho Jayhawkers in crossing Death
Valley were recalled by the death of
Stephens. The experiences OF the
party closely paralleled those of the
famous Inflated Donner party, AZ of
whom starved, froze and died in the
SHOWS of Placer county. California,
In the winter of 1S46-47.
The Jayhawkers, without chart or
guido, amazed the daring men of
their period by forcing their way
across Death Valley by sheer pluck
and perseverance,. Four of them
died of thirst, starvation and ex-
haustion in their three months
struggle across earth baked so hard
that the feet of their oxen made no
imprint, amid rocks that tore their
feet and forced them to abandon
wagons and in shifting sands that
sucked down their feet and scorched
their bodies
There were thirty-one young and
vigorous men in the original Jay
cd oxen to covered wagons. they
started from GalesburE. Illinois.
April 5. 1s4s to scoop tabled riches
from the grass roots.
In the late summer their ponder
Gus oxen drew the creaking wagons
into Salt Lake city, Utah. There
they were called upon to make a
momentous decision they were
told tho regular mountain route to
San Francisco would lie beneath
before they could reach the passes
They were warned. too, OF the awful
fate that had befallen tho Donner
party, and were told to wait in Salt
Lake three OF four months, when the
Trail would be cleared.
Impatient, they sought an alterna-
tive and joining with other argo-
nauts, 1o7 wagons started in the late
fail for Los Angeles under guidance
of John Hunt. who contracted to take
them over the old Spanish trail thru
San Bcrnard!no. Hunt was in no
hurry. and dissatisfaction became
rampant at the slow progress Much
was said of a short cut leading west
that would eliminate 500 miles from
their Journey.
Hunt could not dissuadc them, and
about tho first OF November 100
tempt the unknown short cut. leav-
ing him with but seven wagons.
Three days later those taking the
short cut came to a precipicc above a
plain. and discouraged. most of them
turned back to the original trail to
follow Hunt
But tho 81 Jayhawkers pressed on.
not knowing the short cut was to take
them across the region aftcrward ap-
propriately named Death Valley. The
record from this point Is one of con-
tinuous hardships, sufferings almost
beyond imagination and OF logged de-
termination to live. tempered with seh
sacrifice for comrades.
Early on the journey a man weak
cned by consumption succumbed. Once
the Jayhawkers were saved by n snow
storm after six days without water.
Their oxen. weakened by lack OF 6rass
and water on the ard. barren region,
became too weak to draw the wagons
up rocky slopes Wagons were aban-
doncd. men and oxen taking the burd-
ems upon their backs. Fighting their
way thru tho sand. they cane stag
EsrinE TO q water hole in the desert
and were Joined by the Rev. j. W.
Brier. his wife and three children. who
had been members Of Hunts original
party. They brought their number up
10 thirty-1vc, one having died.
The weeks that followed were large
Is repetitions of what had gone be
again after days without water by
finding n scanty supply. After several
days thirst. William Ischam. cS-
haustcd. lay down and begged his
companions TO leave him Hours later
they found a tricklinE stream in the
sand and hastcncd back to him, but
he was unable to swallow and died in
their arms. oxen. lean and weak, were
killed and eaten. their blood being
drunk to allay thirst
On the shores OF an alkaline lake
that Knocked them, man named Fish
Easped out his life William Robinson
died with his face to the west. Just as
scouts reported water a milo away.
II was tho end OF January that snow
was reached on a rising slope and
Juniper and oak trees were seen far
away to tho south. with renewed hope
camo moro speed. and on February T.
1880 fat cattle were seen grazing.
Two OF these were shot, attracting
Spanish horsemen OF the San Fran
cisquito Rancho. They treated the
wearv emaciatcd Jayhawkers with
compassion and n few days later they
werc gladdcned by tho sight OF tho
sc, at san Ruena Ventura. California