Nice article. I've been real interested in the Party's story too. Everything just went wrong, over and again. See also The Donner Party / American Expirence / PBS

The risks in going to California via wagon where bad enough and the poor Donners just couldn't catch a break. The hardships living in those days where amazing. To set out across the country was either incredibly courageous or profoundly stupid. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it. I look back to those days with fear; nothing I would call medicine, unreliable communication - if any. It's a wonder to me that anyone survived an infected splinter, let alone a cross-continental trek. To say these good people where strong is an awful understatement.

Donner Party of 6, your table is ready.

"Actually, there's just 5 of us... no, four..."

The smart ones stayed on the east coast.

I share the Donner Party obsession. One of my professors was in Herbert Blau's experimental theatre group KRAKEN in the seventies (with Bill Irwin and Julie Taymor) and they did a Donner Party piece. Reading about it and seeing the photos of the show in Blau's "Take Up The Bodies - Theatre At The Vanishing Point" fuled my interest. The PBS show linked by MonkeyButter was great. The whole thing boggles the mind.

This is not everything I ever wanted to know about the Donner party, as there is no discussion of condiments.

Jrossi....toe jam? Finger sandwiches? Head cheese?

This is not everything I ever wanted to know about the Donner party, as there is no discussion of condiments.

Dude. I have questions about their party hats.

Y'all want this party started right?!
Y'all want this party started OWWW MY LEG!!!!

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