Surviving the Snowy Trek Out

In February, 1847, the first relief party from Sutter's Fort arrived, and two more relief parties came in March. These relief parties took 14 people from here out across the frozen Sierra, but only 11 survived, including 8 children. Five people remained at Alder Creek as Mother stood on the snow where she could see all go forth. They moved in single file, with the leaders on snowshoes and the weak stepping in the tracks made by the strong. Leanna, the last in line, was scarcely able to keep up. Eliza Donner Houghton, who turned 4 years old while traveling with the third relief party, later recalled that she was made to understand that this was the long-hoped-for relief party. Elizabeth Donner and her two youngest sons died here at Alder Creek, leaving only Tamzene and her dying husband. George had begged Tamzene to leave him and save her own life, but she refused. When the fourth and final relief party arrived in April, George Donner's dead body lay in camp, and Tamzene's body was never found.

California · United States