History of the Donner Party by CF McGlashan - HTML preview

good, kind, courageous, and ”affable to the congregation of the Lord.”

She was always, self-reliant, and equal to the most trying emergencies;

and yet, at all times, she had a deep and abiding faith in God, and

firmly relied on the mercy and goodness of Him to whom she prayed so

ardently and confidently in the heavy hours of her tribulation. The hope

of her later years was that she might not be required to witness the

death of any of her children; but it was willed differently, as two of

them preceded her to the grave. April 13, 1874, ripe in years, loved by

the poor, honored and respected by all for her virtues and her

well-spent life, she quietly and peacefully passed from the midst of her

sorrowing family to the other and better shore.

The following lines from the pen of Miss Marcella A. Fitzgerald, the

gifted poetess of Notre Dame Convent, San Jose, were published in the

San Francisco Monitor, at the time of Mrs. Breen’s death:

In Memoriam.

Mrs. Margaret Breen.

The spring’s soft light, its tender, dreamy beauty

Veils all the land around us, and the dome

Of the blue skies is ringing with the music

Of birds that come to seek their summer home.

But one whose heart this beauty often gladdened

No more shall see the fragrant flowers expand;

For her no more of earth - but fairer portion

Is hers, the beauty of the Better Land;

The beauty of that land to which with yearning

Her true heart turned in faith and trust each day

The land whose hope a glorious bow of promise

Illumed her path across life’s desert way.

A loving wife; a fond, devoted mother;

A friend who reckoned friendship not a name;

A woman who with, gentle influence brightened

The hearts of all who to her presence came.

A halo of good deeds her life surrounded;

Her crown of years was bright with deeds of love;

Hers was a gift of charity whose merits

A golden treasure waiteth her above.

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Out of the wealth the Master gave unto her

She clothed the needy and the hungry fed;

The poor will mourn a true friend taken from them

Above her will the orphan’s tear be shed.

The orphan’s prayer, a prayer of power unbounded.

In grateful accents shall for her ascend,

And strength and consolation for her children

Down from the Savior’s pitying heart descend;

For over death the Christian’s faith doth triumph -

The crown of victory shines above the Cross;

Hers is the fadeless joy and ours the sorrow -

Hers is the gain and ours the bitter loss.

And while the hearts of kindred ache in sadness,

And gloom rests on her once fair home to-day,

As a true friend who mourns a loved one taken,

This simple wreath upon her grave I lay.

Chapter XXIII.

The Orphan Children of George and Tamsen Donner

Sutter, the Philanthropist

”If Mother would Only Come!”

Christian and Mary Brunner

An Enchanting Home

”Can’t You Keep Both of Us?”

Eliza Donner Crossing the Torrent

Earning a Silver Dollar

The Gold Excitement

Getting an Education

Elitha C. Donner, Leanna C. Donner, Frances E. Donner, Georgia A.

Donner, Eliza P. Donner.

Unusual interest attaches to the three little orphan children mentioned

in a preceding chapter. Frances, Georgia, and Eliza Donner reached

Sutter’s Fort in April, 1847. Here they met their two elder sisters,

who, in charge of the first relief party, had arrived at the Fort a few

weeks earlier. The three little girls were pitiable-looking ob jects as

they gathered around the blazing fire, answering and asking questions

respecting what had taken place since they parted with their sisters at

their mountain cabins.

Among the first to stretch forth a helping hand to clothe the needy

children was that noble philanthropist, Capt. John A. Sutter. Other

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newly-found friends gave food from their scanty supplies, and the

children would have been comfortable for a time, had not some pilfering

hand taken all that had been given them. They were again obliged to ask

for food of those whom they thought would give. As the weather became

warmer it had a cheering influence over them. They forgot their wish for

heavier clothing; but oftener repeated the more heartfelt one - ” If

mother would only come!”

Those who have suffered bereavement under similar circumstances can

understand how fully these little girls realized their situation when

they were told that their mother was dead.

Not long after it became known that their parents were dead, Georgia and

Eliza enlisted the sympathies of a kindhearted Swiss couple, Christian

and Mary Brunner, who lived a short distance from the Fort. Mrs. Brunner

brought them bread, butter, eggs, and cheese, with the kind remark to

those in whose hands she placed the articles: ”These are for the little

girls who called me grandma; but don’t give them too much at a time.” A

few days later, upon inquiring of them how they liked what she brought,

grandma was told they had not had anything, and was so surprised that

she decided to take Georgia home with her for a week. Georgia was more

delicate than her younger sister. Eliza was promised that she should be

treated as kindly upon Georgia’s return. The week passed, and Georgia

returned, looking stronger. She told such wonderful stories about the

many cows! lots of chickens! two sheep that would not let her pass

unless she carried a big stick in sight! about the kindness grandma,

grandpa, and Jacob, his brother, had shown to her, that it seemed to

Eliza the time would never come when she and grandma were to start to

that enchanting home! Such a week of pleasure! Who but that little girl

could describe it! Grandma’s bread and milk gave strength to her limbs

and color to her cheeks. She chased the chickens, and drove the cows;

she brought chips for grandma, rode the horse for Jacob, and sat upon

grandpa’s knee so cheerfully, that they began to feel as if she belonged

to them. But her week had come to an end! Grandma, all dressed for a

walk to the Fort, sought the little girl, who was busy at play, and

said: ”Come, Eliza, I hear that Georgia is sick, and I am going to take

you back, and bring her in your place.” The sweet little girl looked

very grave for a moment, then glancing up with her large black eyes into

that dear old face, she took courage, and asked, with the earnestness of

an anxious child: ”Grandma, can’t you keep both of us?”

This simple question provided a home for both until after Hiram Miller

was appointed their guardian. He was intrusted with their money,

obtained from Keseberg and from other sources. The little sisters were

then again separated. Frances had found a home in Mrs. Reed’s family.

Georgia was to go with grandpa, who was about to remove to Sonoma. Eliza

went to her eldest sister, who was now married and living on the

Cosumnes River. Here she remained until winter. Then, hearing that Mr.

Brunner’s family and Georgia desired her return, she became so homesick

that her sister consented to her going to them. Fortunately, they heard

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of two families who were to move to Sonoma in a very short time, and

Eliza was placed in their charge. This journey was marked with many

incidents which seemed marvelous to her child-mind. The one which

impressed itself most forcibly occurred upon their arrival at the bank

of the Sonoma River. She was told that Jacob would meet her here and

take her to grandma’s, and was delighted that her journey was so nearly

over. Imagine her disappointment at finding the recent rains had raised

the river until a torrent flowed between her and her anxious friends.

For days Jacob sought the slowly-decreasing flood and called across the

rushing stream to cheer the eager child. Finally, an Indian, who

understood Jacob’s wish, offered to carry her safely over for a silver

dollar. Never did silver look brighter than that which Jacob held

between his fingers, above his head, that sunny morning, to satisfy the

Indian that his price would be paid when he and his charge reached the

other bank.

What a picture this scene presents to the mind! There is the Indian

leading his gray pony to the river’s side! He examines him carefully,

and puts the blanket on more securely! He waits for the approaching

child. How small she is - not five years old! How she trembles with

dread as the swift current meets her eye! Yet she is anxious to go. One

pleading look in the Indian’s face, and she is ready. He mounts; she is

placed behind him; her little arms are stretched tightly around his

dusky form! He presses his elbows to his sides to made her more secure,

and, by signs, warns her against loosening her grasp, or she, like the

passing branches, will be the water’s prey! They enter the stream. Oh

how cold the water is! They reach the middle; her grasp is tighter, and

she holds her breath with fear, for they are drifting with the current

past where Jacob stands! But joy comes at last. They have crossed the

river. There stands the pony, shaking the water from his sides. The

Indian takes his dollar with a grunt of satisfaction, and Jacob catches

up the little girl, mounts his horse, and hurries off to grandpa’s,

where grandma, Leanna, and Georgia are waiting to give her a warm

welcome.

Months passed pleasantly, but gradually changes occurred. The war with

Mexico ended, and gold was discovered. All the men who were able to go,

hurried off to the mines to make a fortune. The little girls gave up

their plays, for grandma was not able to do all the work, and grandpa

and Jacob were away. They spent seven years with Mr. and Mrs. Brunner,

They were kindly treated, but their education was neglected. In 1854,

their eldest sister, Elitha, and her husband, came to Sonoma, and

offered them a home and an opportunity of attending school. This kind

offer was accepted. For six years Eliza remained in Sacramento, in the

family of her sister, Elitha. To her she was indebted for the

opportunity she enjoyed of attending, for one year, with her sister

Frances and afterwards Georgia, St. Catherine’s Academy, at Benicia, and

the public schools of Sacramento.

Elitha C. Donner married Perry McCoon, who was subsequently killed by a

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runaway horse. On the eighth of December, 1853, Mrs. McCoon was married

to Benj. W. Wilder. They reside on the Cosumnes River, a few miles from

Elk Grove, Sacramento County, Cal., and have six children. Leanna C.

Donner was married September 26, 1852, to John App. They now reside in

Jamestown, Tuolumne County, Cal., and their family consists of Rebecca

E., born February 9, 1854; John Q., born January 19, 1864; and Lucy E.,

born August 12, 1868, who reside with their parents.

Frances E. Donner was married November 24, 1858, to William R. Wilder,

and now resides at Point of Timber, Contra Costa County, Cal. Their

children are: Harriet, born August 24, 1859; James William, born May 30,

1863; Frances Lillian, born July 17, 1867; Asaph, born May 7, 1870; and

Susan Tamsen, born September 3, 1878. Georgia A. Donner was married

November 4, 1863, to W. A. Babcock. Their family consists of Henry A.,

born August 23, 1864; Frank B., born June 29, 1866; and Edith M., born

August 24, 1868. Their address is Mountain View, Santa Clara County,

Cal.

Eliza P. Donner, on the tenth of October, 1861, was married to Sherman

O. Houghton. Mr. Houghton was born in New York City, April 10, 1828,

served in the Mexican war, was Mayor of San Jose in 1855 and 1856,

represented California in the Forty-second and Forty-third Congress, and

is at present a prominent member of the San Jose bar. Mr. and Mrs.

Houghton have six children. The youngest living was born in Washington,

D. C., at which city his family resided during the four years he served

as member of Congress. Their children are: Eliza P., Sherman O., Clara

H., Charles D., Francis J., and Stanley W. Their youngest born, Herbert

S., died March 18, 1878, aged twenty months. Mary M. Donner, daughter of

Jacob Donner, was adopted into the family of Mr. James F. Reed, in 1848.

She continued a member of this family until her marriage with Hon. S. O.

Houghton, of San Jose, August 23, 1859. June 21, 1860, Mrs. Mary M.

Houghton died, leaving an infant daughter, Mary M., who is now a young

lady, and a member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Houghton.

George Donner, Jr., son of Jacob Donner, married Miss Margaret J.

Watson, June 8, 1862. Their children now living are: Mary E., Corn J.,

George W., John C., Betty L., and Frank M. Albert, their eldest, died in

1869, and an infant son died in 1875. George Donner, Jr., died at

Sebastopol, February 17, 1874. Mrs. Donner now lives with her children

on their farm near Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California.

Chapter XXIV.

Yerba Buena’s Gift to George and Mary Donner

An Alcalde’s Negligence

Mary Donner’s Land Regranted

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Squatters Jump George Donner’s Land

A Characteristic Land Law Suit

Vexatious Litigation

Twice Appealed to Supreme Court, and Once to United States Supreme Court

A Well taken Law Point

Mutilating Records

A Palpable Erasure