George Donner – Leading the Infamous Donner Party

The name George Donner is forever etched in the annals of American history, inextricably linked to one of the most tragic and harrowing episodes of westward expansion: the story of the Donner Party. He was a man of ambition, a farmer seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning lands of California, but fate, compounded by poor decisions and devastating weather, would transform his name into a symbol of suffering, desperation, and the ultimate test of human survival. George Donner was one of the leaders of the infamous Donner Party.

Born in North Carolina around 1786, George Donner’s ancestry traced back to German roots. His early life remains somewhat obscured by the mists of time, but historical records indicate a gradual westward migration that mirrored the broader movement of settlers across the American continent. From North Carolina, he ventured to Kentucky, a land offering fertile grounds and the promise of a fresh start. It was in Kentucky that Donner likely honed his skills as a farmer and began to establish himself as a man of substance.

However, the allure of the West, with its tales of limitless opportunity and abundant land, proved too strong to resist. Donner eventually settled with his family near Springfield, Illinois. This region, on the edge of the expanding frontier, served as a launching pad for countless families eager to carve out a new life for themselves in the West. Here, George Donner continued his agricultural pursuits, likely prospering alongside the burgeoning communities that dotted the Illinois landscape.

In the spring of 1846, at the age of approximately 60, George Donner embarked on the fateful journey that would define his legacy. Driven by the promise of California’s fertile valleys and economic potential, he joined a wagon train led by James Reed, another prominent figure in the Donner Party saga. This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a carefully considered undertaking involving significant investment and preparation.

Donner was accompanied by his third wife, Tamsen, a woman of considerable education and refinement. Tamsen Eustis Donner was a teacher and writer, and her journals and letters provide invaluable insights into the experiences of the Donner Party. The couple also brought their five daughters: Elitha, Leanna, Frances, Georgia, and Eliza. Adding to the family contingent was George’s brother, Jacob Donner, along with his wife, Elizabeth, and their seven children. Several hired hands completed the Donner family’s group, forming a substantial portion of the larger wagon train.

The initial stages of the journey followed the well-established Oregon Trail, a lifeline for westward-bound emigrants. This route, though challenging, offered relatively safe passage and access to essential supplies and information. The wagon train made steady progress, navigating the rolling plains and crossing rivers as they headed towards their ultimate destination.

The pivotal moment that sealed the Donner Party’s tragic fate occurred at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, on July 28, 1846. It was here that the group encountered Lansford Hastings, a promoter of a supposed shortcut to California known as the Hastings Cutoff. Hastings, a charismatic but ultimately unreliable figure, painted a rosy picture of this alternative route, claiming it would shave some 300 miles off the journey to Sutter’s Fort (present-day Sacramento).

The Hastings Cutoff deviated from the established California Trail, promising a more direct path through the Wasatch Mountains and across the Great Salt Lake Desert. Hastings asserted that the desert crossing was a mere 40 miles, with readily available water after a day’s travel. He also falsely claimed that several wagon trains had already successfully traversed the route.

Driven by the allure of a shorter, faster route, a significant portion of the wagon train, including the Donner brothers and their families, made the fateful decision to follow Hastings’s advice. This choice, based on misinformation and a desperate desire to save time and resources, would prove catastrophic.

The Hastings Cutoff quickly revealed itself to be a treacherous and unforgiving path. The journey through the Wasatch Mountains proved far more arduous than anticipated, slowing the wagon train’s progress considerably. Instead of the promised shortcut, the route added weeks to their travel time and depleted their already dwindling supplies.

The crossing of the Great Salt Lake Desert was a nightmare. The desert stretched for 82 miles, more than double Hastings’s estimate. Water was not found after 24 hours, but only after a grueling 48 hours of relentless travel under the scorching sun. The emigrants and their animals suffered immensely, with many oxen succumbing to thirst and exhaustion. Wagons were abandoned, and precious supplies were jettisoned in a desperate attempt to lighten the load.

The delays and hardships encountered on the Hastings Cutoff had devastating consequences. The Donner Party arrived in the Sierra Nevada Mountains dangerously late in the season. As they struggled to cross the formidable mountain range, an early and exceptionally harsh winter descended upon them.

Heavy snowfall blocked the mountain passes, trapping the emigrants in a desolate and unforgiving landscape. With supplies running critically low and the prospect of rescue seemingly impossible, the Donner Party faced a desperate battle for survival. They constructed makeshift shelters and rationed their remaining food, hoping for a break in the weather or the arrival of a rescue party.

As weeks turned into months, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Starvation claimed the lives of many, particularly the young and the elderly. Desperate measures were taken to sustain life, including boiling hides and eating shoe leather. Eventually, the unthinkable happened: some members of the Donner Party resorted to cannibalism to survive.

George Donner, already weakened by the arduous journey and the harsh conditions, succumbed to illness and starvation in March 1847 at his camp in Alder Creek Valley in Nevada County, California. His death marked a significant loss for the remaining members of his family and the entire group. He left behind a legacy of perseverance, ultimately overshadowed by the tragedy that befell the Donner Party.

The story of the Donner Party is a complex and multifaceted one, filled with lessons about the perils of westward expansion, the importance of sound decision-making, and the limits of human endurance. While George Donner was not solely responsible for the party’s tragic fate, his role as a leader and his decision to follow the Hastings Cutoff contributed to the series of events that led to disaster. His name serves as a reminder of the immense challenges faced by those who sought to build a new life in the American West and the devastating consequences that could arise from misjudgment and misfortune. The story of George Donner and the Donner Party continues to resonate today, serving as a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience, and sometimes the desperation, of the human spirit.