Chapter 1

An Obvious Choice

A recent TV documentary discussed the movement west in the 1800s, and the tragedy of the Donner Party, who left Illinois in 1846 for the beautiful land of California.  Their trip taking far longer than expected, they hoped to make up for lost time by taking a “shortcut”, which didn’t turn out to be a shortcut at all.

The Party got caught in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and had to resort to cannibalism to survive.

The lesson learned?  Don’t take shortcuts.

I finished a glass of milk and went to bed, feeling sorry for the Donner Party, but also not so sorry for their obviously making the wrong choice.

How could they put their families at great risk taking an unproven route when thousands of others had taken “the” path successfully?

I woke up the next morning, got dressed, and walked outside.  What was this?  Where was I?  Was it happening again? 

Having gone through the experience at the Battle of Gettysburg and then the writing of the Constitution, I was used to my waking moments directing my dreams, but I can only get so use to this it seems so real!

I walked down the dirt road towards a young man yelling:  “Newspapers!  Two cents!”

That gave me an idea right off I was quite a bit back in history.  But where?  When?

The paper told me: March 19, 1846.  I flipped through the pages of the Sangamo Journal and happened upon an ad:

“Westward ho!  Who wants to go to California without it costing them anything?  As many as eight young men, of good character, who can drive an ox team, will be accommodated by gentlemen who will leave this vicinity about the first of April.  Come, Boys!  You can have as much land as you want without costing you anything.  The government of California gives large tracts o fland to persons who move there.  The first suitable persons who apply will be engaged.”

It was signed by George Donner.

What an opportunity!  Here I was, a young man of good character, though I certainly had no experience driving an ox team!

Maybe I wouldn’t need to.  Why not just approach the leaders of the group leaving the first of April, and tell them not to take the Shortcut.  Stay on the main course!

Why would they believe me?  What could I say to change their mind?

I tracked down George Donner and James Reed, the leaders, who were standing over a desk talking about the map in front of them:

(Note:  this map is from "The Perilous Journey of The Donner Party",by Marian Calabro.  Once I get my copy of Hastings' book, I'll put the original map here) 

I introduced myself as Clyde Johnson, recently in from the east coast where I was a teacher.  However, seeing their advertisement, I wanted to sign on as help and travel west. 

They looked me over, noting my lack of qualifications, and recommended I go see their good friend, Charles Wordly, who would work with me for two weeks on learning the trade.  If, after that time, I had proved myself capable, I was welcome to come along.

Indeed!  What a break!

As I excused myself, I watched George Donner pull a book from his shelf.  It was “The Emigrants’ Guide to Oregon and California”, by Lansford Hastings.

James Reed was talking:  “Look, George – it says right here:  ‘The most direct route, for the California emigrants, would be to leave the Oregon route, about two hundred miles east from Fort Hall; thence bearing west southwest, to the Salt lake; and thence continuing down to the bay of  St. Francisco, by the route just described.”

Donner responded:  “But do we know anything about this route – are we just taking this author’s word for it?”

“Why not?  It seems reasonable.  He’s written a book about it, so he must know something about what he’s talking about.  Who says the other trail is any more safe?  Only a couple hundred families have gone that route, so it’s likely there are many routes out there better than that one.”

“Besides, we need to get out there quick.  Listen to this part of the book:  ‘It is a surprising fact, that upon this entire route, from the States, either to Oregon or California, there is not a stream that emigrants cross, but that is fordable, at the season of the year, at which they pass through those regions.’  If we don’t get out there quick, others will beat us, and we won’t get any of the free land from the Government of California.”

I silently left the room with some thoughts:

a. Hastings had written a book about the travels across the midwest.  Why should he not be believed?

b. It’s one thing to question taking another route if tens of thousands of people have taken one route, and nobody’s taken another.  But these men had just said only a few hundred had gone west!  That changes things, doesn’t it? 

c.  What was the meaning of their “land” comment.  Did we really need to “get there fast” before the land was taken up?

I headed across town in search of my new oxen-driver teacher:  Charles Wordly.

(Chapter 2 tomorrow)