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A Martinez, Cal., November 19, 1910. Dear Madam:- Here is a sketch of the fate of the Donner Party. The Donner party
of immigrants bound for California was organized in Illinois. It consisted of about eighty persons nearly equally divided
between males and females and including a number of children. About a month was lost by taking a new road around the south
end of Salt Lake instead of the usual route around the north end. Therefore owing to this delay the party did not arrive at
the foot of the west flank of the Sierra until October 31st, 1846, when the snow commenced to fall, and their provisions began
to fail. They attempted to cross but by the time they reached Donner Lake just below the summit of the range they were stopped
by the deep snow and built cabins and tried to pass the winter there. In a few weeks starvation stared them in the face. Fifteen
of the strongest started for Sutter's Fort for help. Suffered terribly. Distance ninety miles in a straight line. After all
had died on the way except four or five one of them staggered to the Johnson's ranch and supplies were forwarded to the three
or four survivors;- these had eaten the dead as they fell. The news spread to Sutter's Fort and San Francisco. Captain Sutter
promptly sent men and mules with provisions. San Francisco raised fifteen hundred dollars and several other relief parties
were sent out. 05907