E.P.D.H.

THE EXPEDITION OF THE DONNER PARTY

CHAPTER I

THE PACIFIC COAST IN 1845—­SPEECHES OF SENATOR BENTON AND REPORT OF CAPT.  FREMONT—­MY FATHER AND HIS FAMILY—­INTEREST AWAKENED IN THE NEW TERRITORY—­FORMATION OF THE FIRST EMIGRANT PARTY FROM ILLINOIS TO CALIFORNIA—­PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY—­THE START—­ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF CIVILIZATION.

Prior to the year 1845, that great domain lying west of the Rocky Mountains and extending to the Pacific Ocean was practically unknown.  About that time, however, the spirit of inquiry was awakening.  The powerful voice of Senator Thomas H. Benton was heard, both in public address and in the halls of Congress, calling attention to Oregon and California.  Captain John C. Fremont’s famous topographical report and maps had been accepted by Congress, and ten thousand copies ordered to be printed and distributed to the people throughout the United States.  The commercial world was not slow to appreciate the value of those distant and hitherto unfrequented harbors.  Tales of the equable climate and the marvellous fertility of the soil spread rapidly, and it followed that before the close of 1845, pioneers on the western frontier of our ever expanding republic were preparing to open a wagon route to the Pacific coast.

After careful investigation and consideration, my father, George Donner, and his elder brother, Jacob, decided to join the westward migration, selecting California as their destination.  My mother was in accord with my father’s wishes, and helped him to carry out his plan.

At this time he was sixty-two years of age, large, fine-looking, and in perfect health.  He was of German parentage, born of Revolutionary stock just after the close of the war.  The spirit of adventure, with which he was strongly imbued, had led him in his youth from North Carolina, his native State, to the land of Daniel Boone, thence to Indiana, to Illinois, to Texas, and ultimately back to Illinois, while still in manhood’s prime.

By reason of his geniality and integrity, he was widely known as “Uncle George” in Sangamon County, Illinois, where he had broken the virgin soil two and a half miles from Springfield, when that place was a small village.  There he built a home, acquired wealth, and took an active part in the development of the country round about.

Twice had he been married, and twice bereft by death when he met my mother, Tamsen Eustis Dozier, then a widow, whom he married May 24, 1839.  She was a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts.  She was cultured, and had been a successful teacher and writer.  Their home became the local literary centre after she was installed as its mistress.

My father had two sons and eight daughters when she became his wife; but their immediate family circle consisted only of his aged parents, and Elitha and Leanna, young daughters of his second marriage, until July 8, 1840, when blue-eyed Frances Eustis was born to them.  On the fourth of December, 1841, brown-eyed Georgia Ann was added to the number; and on the eighth of March, 1843, I came into this world.