the almost tropical beauty of the land bordering the Pacific,
tempted the members of the Donner Party to leave their homes.
These homes were situated in Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Missouri,
and Ohio. Families from each of these States joined the train and
participated in its terrible fate; yet the party proper was
organized in Sangamon County, Illinois, by George and Jacob
Donner and James F. Reed. Early in April, 1846, the party set out
from Springfield, Illinois, and by the first week in May reached
Independence, Missouri. Here the party was increased by
additional members, and the train comprised about one hundred
persons.... "In the party were aged fathers with their trusting
families about them, mothers whose very lives were wrapped up in
their children, men in the prime and vigor of manhood, maidens in
all the sweetness and freshness of budding womanhood, children
full of glee and mirthfulness, and babes nestling on maternal
breasts. Lovers there were, to whom the journey was tinged with
rainbow hues of joy and happiness, and strong, manly hearts whose
constant support and encouragement was the memory of dear ones
left behind in homeland.

"The wonderment which all experience in viewing the scenery along
the line of the old emigrant road was peculiarly vivid to these
people. Few descriptions had been given of the route, and all was
novel and unexpected. In later years the road was broadly and
deeply marked, and good camping grounds were distinctly
indicated. The bleaching bones of cattle that had perished, or
the broken fragments of wagons or castaway articles, were thickly
strewn on either side of the highway. But in 1846 the way was
through almost trackless valleys waving with grass, along rivers
where few paths were visible, save those made by the feet of